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BGPM Foundation Day Tests Thapa’s Support as BJP Advances
Anit Thapa’s party, the BGPM, is planning a large event in Kurseong on September 9.
The event will show whether the party still has many supporters.
Several BGPM leaders have left and joined the BJP.
Because of these defections, the BJP now has 16 members in the GTA Sabha.
The GTA is the regional body for the Darjeeling hills.
It currently does not have a new elected leader or an appointed administrator.
Thapa has criticised the BJP and its hill allies for the lack of progress.
A recent meeting decided to form a committee to discuss the region’s future, but separation from Bengal was excluded.
Anit Thapa’s BGPM will hold its sixth foundation day programme in Kurseong on September 9.
The event is the party’s first major show of strength since the BJP’s Assembly election victory.
At least 16 GTA Sabha members now belong to the BJP, largely after leaving the BGPM.
The GTA remains without a newly elected chief executive or a government-appointed administrator.
A meeting involving Amit Shah and Bengal leaders agreed to create a committee on a permanent political solution for Darjeeling, while excluding separation from Bengal.
- Who
- Anit Thapa’s Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha, the Bharatiya Janata Party and their hill allies.
- What
- The BGPM is holding its sixth foundation day programme as a test of its support after losing political ground to the BJP.
- Where
- The foundation day event will be held in Kurseong in the Darjeeling hills; the August 22 meeting was held in Siliguri.
- When
- The foundation day programme is scheduled for September 9; the related meeting with Amit Shah took place on August 22.
- Why
- The event comes amid defections from the BGPM, the BJP’s growing presence in the GTA Sabha and changing political alignments in the hills.
BGPM and Thapa’s Position
BJP and Hill Allies’ Position
Political influence in the hills
BGPM and Thapa’s Position
Thapa says the BGPM will draw supporters in large numbers and seeks to demonstrate that it remains an important political force despite defections.
BJP and Hill Allies’ Position
The BJP has expanded its GTA Sabha presence to 16 members, largely through defections from the BGPM, and is consolidating its position with hill allies.
Progress on the hill issue
BGPM and Thapa’s Position
Thapa argues that little is moving forward in Darjeeling and criticises the BJP’s hill allies for not discussing Gorkhaland in front of Amit Shah.
BJP and Hill Allies’ Position
The August 22 meeting agreed to establish a drafting committee for a permanent political solution, while Suvendu Adhikari said separation from Bengal would not be considered.
Key facts
- Event
- Sixth foundation day programme of the BGPM
- Date
- September 9
- Location
- Kurseong
- BJP GTA Sabha strength
- 16 members, largely due to defections from the BGPM
- BGPM political background
- The party won the 2022 GTA elections and was an ally of the Trinamool Congress
- GTA status
- No new chief executive has been elected and no administrator has been appointed
- August 22 decision
- A drafting committee will discuss a permanent political solution for Darjeeling
- Position on separation
- Suvendu Adhikari said demands could be considered except separation from Bengal
Quotes
Anit Thapa
Leader of the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha and former GTA chief executive
“Raju Bista did his part by bringing the Union home minister, but then what can the MP do if the allies cannot talk about Gorkhaland in front of him?”
telegraphindia.com
“Nothing much seems to be moving forward in Darjeeling at the moment.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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