Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha Rallies Against BJP's Failures in Darjeeling

The BJP-backed Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) in Darjeeling blew the Lok Sabha poll bugle because the saffron party broke its electoral pledges.

In order to draw attention to the BJP's shortcomings in finding a permanent political solution (PPS) for the area and to fulfill a pledge made by the party in its 2019 Lok Sabha election platform, the BGPM began a three-day dharna throughout the Darjeeling hills on Monday.


The Center announced on Sunday that the examination for the recruitment of constables in the central armed police forces (CAPFs) would be conducted in 13 regional languages, in addition to Hindi and English, but not in Nepali/Gorkha. This gave the hill party more justification to support the BJP's "apathy towards Gorkha" claim.

One of the languages included in the Constitution's Eighth Schedule is Nepali/Gorkha.

According to an observer, "the Centre's decision not to hold this examination in Nepali/Gorkha language is a letdown for Indian Gorkha aspirants. The Gorkha community is known to be a martial race."

The BGPM, headed by Anit Thapa, launched a fierce campaign against the BJP, bringing up concerns such the PPS's continued non-fulfillment, the 11 hill groups' unfulfilled desire for tribal recognition, and the Centre's recent "apathy to Gorkhas" in the CAPF recruiting process.

The party line of the BGPM was evident. Since we are in coalition with the state administration, we had previously said that we would strive for development (Trinamul). People who collaborate with the BJP, the national administration, need to focus on other matters. The Gorkhas cast three ballots (for the BJP). Thapa, who also took part in the dharna in front of the Darjeeling DM office, said that there has been no result.

It's obvious that the BJP doesn't care for the Gorkha. Thapa said, "The central forces recruiting test does not cover our language.

Through the Darjeeling district magistrate, the BGPM addressed a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting tribal status.

When given the chance, the BJP took no action. Though we are aware that nothing will happen right now, we still want to warn our people in the hills," Thapa added.

The BGPM president said that the party will stage comparable demonstrations at the gram panchayat level after the three-day protest at the district and sub-divisional headquarters. The announcement also marked the beginning of the "jagaran yatra," or awareness campaign.

"To raise awareness among the people of Dooars, Terai, and Siliguri, we plan to organize a major rally at Terai following the gram panchayat protest," Thapa said.

The leader of the BGPM said that his party will now also bring up concerns specific to the Gorkha people.

The BGPM's undertakings are seen as the party's electoral reconnaissance for the Lok Sabha. Gopal Lama, a former WBCS official, has been suggested by the party as its candidate.

Thapa has also said that he would need to compete in the elections on a Trinamul ticket, even if the BGPM will choose the candidate.

However, Trinamul has never been elected to the Lok Sabha from Darjeeling. Since 2009, the BJP has won the seat three times in a row. The BJP had won by a margin of more than 4 lakhs from Darjeeling in the 2019 Lok Sabha election.

"The Darjeeling seat looks like it will be a close contest with Anit Thapa's strong presence in the hills and the BJP's failure to deliver," one analyst said.

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Press Time staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.