New Regional Party 'Indian Gorkha Janshakti Front' Launched in Darjeeling, Aims for Gorkhaland and Regional Development

KalimNews, Darjeeling, December 22, 2024: A new political entity, the Indian Gorkha Janshakti Front (IGJF), has been officially launched in Darjeeling during a meeting held at the Gymkhana Club today. The formation of this regional party marks a significant step in the ongoing political discourse in the region. Ajay Edwards, a prominent figure, was appointed as the party’s coordinator. The IGJF unveiled its flag, which features a bi-colored design of blue and green, adorned with a Khukuri and a star.

With a clear agenda to unite all Gorkhas under a single platform, the party aims to advocate for Gorkhaland and address various regional issues. Key issues highlighted by the party include securing Parja Patta (land rights) for indigenous people of tea gardens and cinchona plantation areas, the inclusion of additional tribes in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list, and delimitation for the process of fixing the number of seats and boundaries of legislative and parliamentary constituencies. These are issues that have long been part of the Gorkha community's demands and grievances.

Among the prominent figures present at the launch were N.B. Khawas (former TMC leader), Mahendra Chhetri (former leader of GNLF), Gaulan Lepcha (the former Councillor of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council), Pradip Pradhan, Prakash Gurung, and Sarda Rai Subba, along with various Panchayat members and local leaders including Daya Dewan, Pratim Subba, Ringa Tamang, Sarda Waiba, Nita Tamang, Tilak Rumdali, and Yogendra Rai mostly from GNLF and TMC. The others are from other political parties of the Hills.

However, it was noted that several political leaders who had attended preliminary meetings were absent from the official declaration event. The programme was conducted by Jagdish Sharma, and Norbu Tshering, who presided over the meeting.

In a press interaction following the event, Ajay Edwards spoke candidly about his plans for the party. He expressed a strong commitment to serving the people and ensuring that his actions would be free from fear or hesitation. Edwards further emphasized that his primary focus was not on contesting the upcoming Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) elections but rather on tackling corruption in key development projects, particularly those related to the Jal Jiwan Mission in the hills.

Edwards also discussed the broader vision of the party, which includes a fight for the national identity of the Gorkhas, both in the hills and the plains, as well as in the Dooars region. When asked about the constitution of the party, he assured the media that it was under development and would be finalized within the next 45 days by a dedicated intellectual team. He also highlighted the party's commitment to youth welfare, especially in areas such as sports and academics. As part of this initiative, he revealed that the party had already begun coaching students for civil services examinations, marking the beginning of their educational support programs.