West Bengal: Anit Thapa’s 9-month-old BGPM sweeps GTA polls in Darjeeling

Kolkata: Anit Thapa’s nine-month-old Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) emerged as the largest single party in elections to the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration in the Darjeeling hills, winning 27 out of 45 seats.

Another new party, Hamro Party started by Ajoy Edward won eight seats and Trinamool Congress won five seats.

It can be noted that this is the first time that TMC had won seats in the GTA. The remaining five seats are won by individual candidates.

BGPM chief Anit Thapa who is scheduled to visit Kolkata to meet Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee next week said that he will work towards ‘developing’ the hills.

“The people of the hills want development. We all have to work towards ensuring overall development of the hills,” said Thapa.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also mentioned that TMC had made an ‘alliance’ with BGPM and also said that together the hills will be developed.

Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) chief Bimal Gurung who had ‘boycotted’ the GTA election said that the results don’t reflect the ‘aspirations’ of the people.

It is pertinent to mention that the GTA election took place after 10 years despite objections raised by the GJM.

Meanwhile, bypoll results of six wards of six municipalities of the state were also declared on Wednesday where four seats have been won by TMC, one seat of Jhalda in Purulia was won by Congress and Left Front won one seat of Chandannagar.

Published on: Wednesday, June 29, 2022, 08:52 PM IST