Archive · 29 Jan 2026
GTA Chief Anit Thapa Skips Meeting with Centre's Interlocutor
Anit Thapa, the chief of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), did not attend a meeting with a representative from the central government.
This meeting was important because it was about the future of the GTA and the political wishes of the people in the Darjeeling hills.
Some politicians, like Raju Bista from the BJP, criticized Thapa for not going to the meeting.
They said Thapa might be afraid of the West Bengal government and its chief minister, Mamata Banerjee.
Bista also said that Thapa's position is only secure as long as the Trinamul Congress (TMC) is in power in Kolkata.
The issue has become more important as the region prepares for upcoming Assembly elections.
GTA Chief Anit Thapa skipped a meeting with the Centre's interlocutor Pankaj Kumar Singh in Darjeeling.
The meeting was attended by other elected members of the GTA.
BJP national spokesperson and Darjeeling MP Raju Bista criticized Thapa's absence.
Bista accused Thapa of abandoning the political aspirations of the hill people.
The issue has brought the future of the GTA and the demand for a permanent political solution in the hills into sharp focus ahead of the Assembly polls.
- Who
- GTA Chief Anit Thapa and BJP national spokesperson Raju Bista
- What
- Anit Thapa skipped a meeting with the Centre's interlocutor Pankaj Kumar Singh
- When
- The meeting took place on Wednesday, ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections
- Where
- The meeting was in Darjeeling
- Why
- Anit Thapa's absence drew political criticism from BJP spokesperson Raju Bista, who questioned Thapa's reluctance to engage with the Interlocutor
- GTA Chief
- Anit Thapa
- Interlocutor
- Pankaj Kumar Singh
- Political Criticism
- BJP national spokesperson and Darjeeling MP Raju Bista
- GTA
- Gorkhaland Territorial Administration
- Political Aspirations
- Future of the GTA and long-standing political aspirations of the Darjeeling hills