Political Uncertainty Deepens in Darjeeling Hills as GTA and BGPM Resignations Fuel Speculation

KalimNews, Kalimpong, June 26, 2026 : A major political development has unfolded in the Darjeeling Hills with a series of resignations from the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) and the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM), triggering widespread speculation about the region's political future.

The latest resignation came from Suraj Rai, the lone Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) Sabha member in the GTA. Along with him, BGPM Sabha members Uday Dewan (Sukhiapokhari–Maneybhanjyang), Nuri Sherpa (Tung St. Mary's), Milesh Rai (Mirik Thurboo Duptin), GTA Vice-Chairman Rajesh Chauhan (Rangbull Dhotaria Rangmuk), Ratan Kumar Thapa (Mungpoo Labdah), and Ratan Thapa (Gorubathan) also stepped down from their posts.

Earlier, several senior BGPM leaders had already resigned from both their GTA executive positions and as elected Sabha members. Those who resigned include Chief Executive Anit Thapa, Deputy Chief Executive Sanchabir Subba, Shyam Sherpa (Kurseong Chimni Deorali), Anosh Thapa (Sonada Pacheng), Satish Pokhrel (Relling Kaijalay), Hemant Rai (Relli Samthar), Norden Sherpa (Rimbick Lodhoma), Pramoskar Blone (Ghoom Jorebunglow), Paresh Tairkey (Sukna-Panighatta), Dhruwa Bomjan (Seeyok Gopaldhara Okaity) and Mani Prasad Rai (Takling-Peshok).

With these developments, more than 17 BGPM Sabha members and one independent Sabha member elected on a GJM ticket have resigned from the GTA.

The opposition benches in the GTA continue to be represented by seven Sabha members belonging to the former Hamro Party, now known as the Indian Gorkha Janshakti Front (IGJF) under the leadership of Ajoy Edwards. They are Pratim Subba (Darjeeling Sadar-I), Robert Chettri (Darjeeling Sadar-II), Ajoy Lucas Edwards (Darjeeling Sadar-III), Ruben Das Pradhan (Darjeeling Sadar-IV), Jiten Rai (Phoobtshering Pandam), Bhupendra Chettri (Pulbazar Bijanbari Goke) and Sunny Tamang (Takdah Teesta Valley).

Another independent Sabha member, Palden Tamang of Homes Bhalukhop, has since joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and is currently the party's lone representative in the GTA Sabha. They have not given any hint on resignation from GTA Sabha.

In a parallel development, around 20 BGPM leaders have resigned from the party's various organisational posts as well as from its primary membership. The list includes Uday Dewan, Rajesh Chauhan, Lakpa Namgay Bhutia (Rongo-Todey-Jaldhaka), Kamal Subba (Pedong), Milesh Rai, Senora Namchu (Chibo-Tashiding), Mani Prasad Rai, Nuri Sherpa, Bikash Rai (Homes-Bhalukhop), Dawa Tenji Sherpa (Algarah-Dalapchand), Kumar Sharma (Lava-Lingsay), Paresh Tirki (Sukna-Panighatta), Dhendup Pakhrin (Takdah Teesta Valley) and Birey Rai (Lava-Lingsay). Among these, six had recently resigned from their positions as GTA Sabha members.

The political significance of these resignations remains uncertain. There has been no any kind of indication regarding the future course of the resigning leaders or the response that may come from the government or various political parties. The developments have, however, generated considerable public interest and speculation, with many anticipating major political realignments in the coming days.

For many people in the Darjeeling Hills, the expectation goes beyond political reshuffles. The long-standing aspirations of the region continue to centre on issues of identity, governance and the demand for a separate state. While several regional political parties continue to advocate different constitutional and administrative solutions, they remain divided over strategy and leadership.

Apart from political parties, several non-political organisations, including the Statehood Demand Coordination Committee and the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh, continue to campaign for the creation of a separate state. At the same time, several smaller political groups and independent leaders, each representing different schools of thought with limited support bases, remain unwilling to compromise on their respective approaches, making consensus difficult.

Adding another dimension to the evolving political landscape, a new youth-led political platform has recently emerged under the leadership of Birendra Rasaily, Manoj Bogati, Sidhant Gorkha Rai, Nilay Krishna Rai, Ram Chandra Rai and several other young activists associated with the Gorkha Youth Activist Network and the Separate State Coordination Committee.

Although the organisation is yet to formally announce its name and office-bearers, it has already begun advocating strongly for the creation of a separate state of Gorkhaland. The group has cautioned the state government, the ruling party and all other political stakeholders against compromising on what it describes as the century-old aspirations of the Gorkha people.

According to the platform, generations of people in the Darjeeling Hills have endured prolonged hardships and made significant sacrifices in pursuit of their demand for a separate state. It maintains that any future political settlement should address these long-standing aspirations rather than dilute them.

The platform has also proposed the abolition of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), suggesting that the West Bengal Assembly pass legislation to dissolve the existing autonomous body. In addition, it has called for the Assembly to pass a separate resolution or Bill supporting the formation of a separate state of Gorkhaland, with the objective of establishing it as a state independent of West Bengal within the constitutional framework of India. According to the group, such a move would provide a permanent political and administrative solution to the long-standing aspirations of the people of the Darjeeling Hills and adjoining Gorkha-inhabited areas.

It has also called for a governance structure with greater executive, financial and political powers, arguing that enhanced constitutional authority and stronger decision-making rights are essential to safeguard the interests and aspirations of the people who, according to the group, have remained disadvantaged for decades.