Thapa calls for all Gorkha leaders to unite on one platform for Gorkha issues

REZA PRADHAN

DARJEELING,: Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) chief Anit Thapa on Wednesday, at the party’s sixth foundation day programme held in Kurseong, stressed the need for all Gorkha leaders to work from one platform on Gorkha issues.

Speaking at the programme held at Monteviot Ground, Thapa stressed the need to work towards bringing back regionalism in the hills, along with the BJP, to fulfil its commitment to Gorkhaland.

“If we are to save regionalism and give justice to our Gorkha community, then I request all our leaders in the hills to come under one platform. There should be one voice of the Gorkhas, for which the BGPM is ready to stand by you. Our party will not get tired, bow down or face defeat,” said Thapa.

The BGPM chief also maintained that people in the Hills have voted for the issue of Gorkhaland for many years, with the BJP also seeking votes on the promise of fulfilling the demand.

“They had developed a perception that the BJP was there in the Centre only and not in the State, due to which they could not form Gorkhaland. However, now with them in Bengal and me also leaving the GTA, it does not prove to be a hindrance. We want Gorkhaland as soon as possible,” he said, while stating that the main reason the BGPM was formed was to ensure that the Gorkha community did not become political victims.

Thapa said that at present, people’s voices were being taken away, with people not being able to speak freely. He said that during his regime, all people could speak out freely and that his party had brought forward freedom of speech.

“They are snatching everything from the people, be it the funds they were receiving from the government, or sugar or atta. They can take away all these things but should give us Gorkhaland, which will be enough for our community,” said Thapa, while maintaining that people should not stray from their objective or principles.

“However, to get that, we must go through more struggles, but we should remember that this should not involve closing down schools or affecting the tourism business, among other things. This is something that the Delhi government can give us, and we should be able to convince them, for which all the Gorkha leaders should come under one platform,” said Thapa, adding that political regionalism was currently not present and should be brought back.

He asked leaders to sacrifice their egos and their desire to show their superiority, saying that could be done later during elections. Thapa said the BJP and its alliance partners should work towards making the dreams of the Gorkhas a reality, for which the BGPM was ready to provide whatever support they needed.

Thapa said that the BGPM would have to take ahead the issue of the Gorkha identity in an intellectual way for which they would prepare a team to chalk out a plan to take forward the Gorkha issues. He also stressed on the need of their party to be stronger or their voice would go unheard.