Darjeeling: Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) chief Anit Thapa on Saturday said the region's long-pending statehood demand could not be achieved through electoral victories or party politics. Thapa said that voting for BJP or winning elections never led to, and will never lead to, the creation of Gorkhaland.
"Gorkhaland will not be formed by winning elections. If the Centre truly wants it, it will happen on its own," Thapa said on the sidelines of the foundation-laying ceremony of the Gorkha Reform Conference Public Building in Darjeeling.
"I am not asking for votes today. I only want the people of the hills to change their way of thinking. We are responsible for the condition of the hills. Blaming others or opposing each other will not help us move forward," Thapa said.
Thapa also stressed the need to work in coordination with the state govt. "If I refuse to cooperate with the state, it is my people who will suffer. Many leaders shy away from such honesty out of fear of losing votes," he said.
He further criticised the spread of anti-Bengali sentiment, questioning the logic behind turning Bengal into an enemy. "We abuse Bengal without reason. We must ask ourselves — what do we gain by fighting the state we live in?" he asked.
Thapa reiterated that voters should assess leaders on governance and performance rather than slogans. "Vote for yourselves. That does not mean voting for me. But if you do support me, judge me by my work and achievements. I did not reach this position through protests; I came here by winning elections. I am a ray of hope in the hearts of the people. I do not want to destroy that hope," he added.