Interlocutor holds first meeting with BGPM chief

REZA PRADHAN

DARJEELING,: Centre-appointed interlocutor Pankaj Kumar Singh on Wednesday met Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) president Anit Thapa, marking his first interaction with the party since his appointment by the Centre in October last year.

The meeting comes in the wake of Darjeeling MP Raju Bista’s recent statement that the interlocutor would be meeting various stakeholders in the Hills, including leaders of BJP alliance partners as well as opposition parties. Since its formation, the BGPM has been aligned with the Trinamool Congress (TMC).

“I met the interlocutor today on his invitation. He has come here on the instructions of the Central Government to resolve the problems of the Darjeeling Hills. Our meeting took place at the Takdah Forest Guest House located in the R.R. Block,” Thapa said, adding that he met Singh in his capacity as the Chief Executive of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA).

In a press release, Thapa said the 45-minute meeting focused on the issue of a Permanent Political Solution (PPS) for the Hills.

Without divulging details of the discussions, Thapa said, “Issues concerning the Hills were discussed, including how we should move ahead and take forward the existing arrangement here. The talks were positive, as they have come here with good intentions for the Hills.”

The interlocutor, appointed by the Centre to carry forward talks on issues concerning the region, has been meeting various social and political organisations during his visits to the Hills.

Following the recent elections, Singh met West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari in Kolkata on June 4. Darjeeling MP Raju Bista was also present at the meeting.

Bista later stated that the Chief Minister had assured positive cooperation towards achieving a constitutional solution for the region.

During his latest visit to the Hills, the interlocutor has also met Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) president Mann Ghisingh, Indian Gorkha Janshakti Front (IGJF) chief Ajoy Edwards, and Darjeeling MLA Noman Rai, among others.