The Anit-Thapa led Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) managed a clear lead in the two-tier Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA) rural elections in the hill districts of Kalimpong and Darjeeling on Tuesday. The BGPM, which shares close ties with the ruling Trinamool Congress, is facing the united might of an eight-party United Gorkha Alliance led by the BJP, to which Darjeeling MP Raju Bista belongs. The United Gorkha Alliance includes some of the biggest names of hill politics like Bimal Gurung, Binay Gurung and Ajoy Edwards. While the TMC is yet to open its account in the hill districts, its coalition partner has bagged 38 gram panchayats (GP) out of 70 in Darjeeling. In Kalimpong, the BGPM is leading in 30 GPs out of 42. In the GTA area, out of total 112 GPs, BGPM is leading in 68, BJP in five, Independents in 22, while in 17 GPs the result was hung. There are 598 gram panchayat seats in 70 GPs in Darjeeling, while Kalimpong has 281 gram panchayat seats in 42 GPs in Kalimpong. According to the district administration, the BGPM was ahead in Takling 1, Rongchong, Lebong Valley 2, Pubong Rampuria, Sittong 2, Badamtam, Labdah and Takdah gram panchayats in Darjeeling. Similarly, in neighbouring Kalimpong, the party was ahead in Kalimpong 1, Bhalukhop, Samthar, Yamgmakum, Seokbir and Kaffer Kankebong, Pudung, Pabringtar, Lava Gitbeong, Sangsay, Lingsey, Nimbong, Lolay and Santook gram panchayats. Panchayat samiti results are yet to be declared. Reacting to the results, BGPM chief Anit Thapa said, “The people of hills are very happy. Our responsibility will now increase. Our prime focus is to establish peace and development in the hill areas.” Two-tier panchayat elections, as against three-tier polls in the rest of the state, were held in the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) area after 23 years on July 8. –With PTI inputs
