Darjeeling Gorkha Leader Anit Thapa Declares February 28 a 'Black Day' Over Voter Roll Controversy
In a significant development in Darjeeling, Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) president and GTA chief Anit Thapa has strongly condemned the deletion of names from the final electoral rolls, terming February 28 a "black day" for the Gorkha community. This statement comes just a day after posters appeared at Darjeeling's Chowk Bazar targeting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the controversial deletions.
Thapa's Strong Accusations Against BJP
Addressing a party workers' meeting in Rangbul, Thapa, whose party is an ally of the Trinamool Congress, expressed deep frustration with the BJP. "We supported the BJP for 20 years. They could not give us Gorkhaland — that was acceptable. They could not grant Scheduled Tribe status — that too we tolerated. But now they are trying to erase our community itself," Thapa declared passionately.
He emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, "If we lose our citizenship, what is the meaning of Gorkhaland? Our community is facing injustice and there is a conspiracy to make us landless. The issue is about the security and identity of the Gorkha people."
Rejection of BJP MP's Claims and Announcement of Protests
Thapa firmly rejected attempts by BJP MP Raju Bista to blame booth level officers (BLOs) for the deletions. "No BLO from our community would remove the names of people from their own community. The power to delete names lies with the software; it is the system that is removing the names," he asserted, highlighting systemic issues rather than individual errors.
The BGPM leader announced plans for a strong protest in the Hills, but clarified that it would commence only after the President's visit to Darjeeling. "We will welcome the President when she arrives on Friday, but after she leaves, we will begin our protests. This is a far more serious issue than elections," Thapa warned, underscoring the perceived threat to community identity.
Statistical Impact of Voter Roll Deletions
The controversy has tangible numerical backing. According to official data, the district had 12,92,857 voters as of October 27, 2025. However, after the Summary Revision (SIR) exercise, this number dropped significantly to 11,48,209, reflecting a substantial reduction that has fueled community concerns.
This voter roll issue has reignited long-standing grievances in Darjeeling, where demands for Gorkhaland and Scheduled Tribe status have persisted for decades. Thapa's statements suggest a shift in political strategy, moving from electoral support to direct confrontation over what he frames as existential threats to the Gorkha community.
