Friday, Jul 31, 2026 11:30 [IST]
Last Update: Friday, Jul 31, 2026 05:48 [IST]
DARJEELING,: Eleven Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) Sabhasads joined the BJP on Thursday, fuelling speculation that the party could eventually run the GTA if it secures a majority in the hill body. However, BJP leaders maintained that, until the Permanent Political Solution (PPS) is implemented, the GTA should be administered by a government official.
The 11 Sabhasads, who were earlier with the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatnatrik Morcha (BGPM), joined the BJP at a programme in Kalimpong. The BJP claimed that around 700 people joined the party during the event, including the Sabhasads.
BJP leader Suva Pradhan said, “Many people wanted to join our party, be it panchayat members or members from the GTA. However, we wanted them all to join together at a massive programme like today, where about 700 people joined us.”
He clarified that the party's objective was not to revive the GTA or force it upon the people. He added that until the Permanent Political Solution (PPS) is implemented, the hill body should continue on an interim basis.
BJP Darjeeling district president Sanjeev Lama said, “It will take some time for the new arrangement to be put in place, and until then the people should not suffer. Many sectors, from education to healthcare, are in disorder.”
Lama said the GTA would continue for some time but not for long.
“We have made it clear that we do not want a political leader or any individual to run the GTA. Instead, a government official should be appointed as its administrator,” he said.
The 11 GTA Sabhasads who joined the BJP are Suman Gurung, Kumar Sharma, Ratan Thapa, Nuri Sherpa, Mani Kumar Rai, Kamal Subba, Sandip Chettri, Sinora Namchu, Lakpa Namgyal Bhutia, Birey Rai, and Dhendup Pakhrin.
Speaking after joining the BJP, Sabhasad Lakpa Namgyal Bhutia said, “After the recent election results, some members resigned from the GTA, but we stayed on because we felt the people had elected us. We did not want to betray their trust by resigning. We looked at different political parties and felt that the BJP would bring development to the hills while also fulfilling the aspirations of the Gorkha people.”
The GTA has not been functioning effectively since Chief Executive Anit Thapa and several others announced their resignation from the body.
Apart from the 11 Sabhasads who joined the BJP, members of the opposition, including those from the Indian Gorkha Janshakti Front (IGJF), as well as former GTA Chairman Binoy Tamang, have also not resigned from the hill body. The GTA has a provision for 45 elected members.
