In a significant statement addressing the region's decades-old political aspiration, Anit Thapa, the chief of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), declared that the demand for a separate Gorkhaland state cannot be realized merely through electoral victories or party politics. He made these remarks on Saturday during an event in Darjeeling.
A Call for a Shift in Political Thinking
Speaking on the sidelines of the foundation-laying ceremony for the Gorkha Reform Conference Public Building, Thapa delivered a candid assessment. He emphasized that voting for a particular party, including the BJP, or securing election wins has historically not led to the creation of Gorkhaland and will not do so in the future. "Gorkhaland will not be formed by winning elections. If the Centre truly wants it, it will happen on its own," Thapa asserted.
He clarified that his intent was not to ask for votes but to urge the people of the Darjeeling hills to transform their political mindset. "I only want the people of the hills to change their way of thinking. We are responsible for the condition of the hills. Blaming others or opposing each other will not help us move forward," he stated, accepting collective responsibility for the region's current situation.
Stressing Cooperation Over Confrontation
Thapa strongly advocated for working in coordination with the state government of West Bengal, marking a departure from more confrontational stances of the past. He presented a pragmatic view, warning that non-cooperation would ultimately harm the local population. "If I refuse to cooperate with the state, it is my people who will suffer. Many leaders shy away from such honesty out of fear of losing votes," he remarked, positioning his approach as one of difficult but necessary honesty.
Further, he criticized the propagation of anti-Bengali sentiment in the hills, questioning its strategic value. "We abuse Bengal without reason. We must ask ourselves — what do we gain by fighting the state we live in?" This appeal for harmony within the state framework was a key part of his address.
Performance Over Slogans: A New Yardstick for Voters
In his concluding message, the GTA chief called upon voters to evaluate their leaders based on governance and tangible performance rather than empty slogans. He asked the public to vote in their own self-interest. "Vote for yourselves. That does not mean voting for me. But if you do support me, judge me by my work and achievements," Thapa said.
Highlighting his own political journey, he noted, "I did not reach this position through protests; I came here by winning elections. I am a ray of hope in the hearts of the people. I do not want to destroy that hope." This statement underscored his belief in a performance-driven, electoral path to development, even as he tempered expectations around that path delivering statehood.
