EOI, DARJEELING, FEBRUARY 16, 2025 : Irate at being unable to meet Gorkhaland Territorial Administration chief Anit Thapa either at his office in Darjeeling or at his residence in Kurseong, convenor of the newly formed Indian Gorkha Janashakti Front has criticized Thapa for not attending office at Lal Kothi, the GTA head office. On Saturday, Edwards, an elected GTA Sabhasad, reached Kurseong to meet Thapa at the latter’s residence at Naya Bazar but failed to meet him.
“I tried to meet him (Thapa) at Lal Kothi but could not do so. The GTA chief executive officer attended his office late on January 21. Therefore, I thought of meeting him at his residence, officially for public-related work as an elected Sabhasad,” Edwards posted on social media.
As soon as Edwards’ message circulated on various social media platforms, Thapa gave his explanation in his party’s social media handle. “As a leader of a political party and an elected chief executive officer of the GTA, people frequently come to be my residence for some work. I always welcome everyone. Today, I was not at home because I was visiting different areas of my constituency,” Thapa said.
In a mass rally on February 8 in Mirik, Edwards had raised the issues of five decimal land rights to tea garden workers and allotment of 30 percent of non-plantation tea areas to businessmen for tourism and related purposes, implementation of the Minimum Wages Act in tea gardens, and timely disbursement of 20 percent bonuses to tea garden workers. Later he wrote to the GTA chairman seeking answers on these issues and had said he would reach out to Thapa at his residence.
“The GTA chairman boasts of good relations with the West Bengal Government and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. In fact, Thapa has given statements that he has communicated with the Chief Minister. As an elected member of the GTA, we have the right to know what’s happening to issues related to the people,” Edwards said. “It is my responsibility to work for the people. I am willing to go to Siliguri or any other place he (Thapa) works from, officially.”
The GTA chairman countered, saying the issues being raised by Edwards had already been taken up with the West Bengal Government. “The issues raised by Edwards are a State subject, and I am working on it. I have received his letter. More than a reply, it is important to work on it, coordinate, and convince the State Government. This is in progress much before his letter had reached me.”
Refuting allegations of absenteeism, the GTA chairman said it was more important to reach out to people personally. “All the work in the GTA is online. We have the Principal Secretary and the Secretary at Lal Kothi. Besides, all files reach me online. But more importantly, people have voted for me. It is my responsibility to go to them and listen to their problems, rather than the other way around,” Thapa said.
