Darjeeling Politics: Doubts Surrounding Anit Thapa's BGPM Participation in Upcoming Talks for a Lasting Political Resolution
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Kolkata, Dec 21 (NationPress) As preparations commence for a new series of discussions aimed at establishing a permanent political resolution in the regions of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Kurseong in north West Bengal, anticipated to occur next month, uncertainty looms over the involvement of the Anit Thapa-led Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) in the negotiations.
On one side, Raju Bista, a two-time Lok Sabha member from Darjeeling representing the BJP, who is overseeing the arrangements for the upcoming meeting, is against the inclusion of the BGPM in the discussions.
The BGPM maintains a longstanding political partnership with the ruling Trinamool Congress and governs the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA).
The BJP asserts that the GTA cannot serve as a permanent resolution to the ongoing political turmoil in the hills.
Bista was tasked with coordinating the proposed tripartite meeting by Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his recent visit to Siliguri in the Darjeeling district this week for the 61st Raising Day event of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).
Conversely, the leadership of the Trinamool in Darjeeling, including Siliguri Municipal Corporation Mayor Gautam Deb, argues that no meeting can yield productive results without the involvement of the party managing the GTA affairs. "This will lead to broader uncertainties in achieving any lasting political resolution," Deb stated.
The Trinamool has also raised objections regarding Bista's role in coordinating the proposed meeting. They believe such a meeting should be organized by the Union Government, with participation from the state government and the party overseeing the GTA.
Nevertheless, the BJP has its own reasoning in this matter. They argue that since the BGPM is not yet a recognized political entity, there is no basis for inviting them to the forthcoming meeting.
