The first elections to the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) is likely to be held on July 29. A formal notification will be issued either on Monday or Tuesday. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee herself informed the state Assembly on Friday that the GTA elections would be held soon.
Highly-placed sources in the Writers’ Buildings informed that preparations were on in full swing to hold the GTA elections on July 29. “We have almost decided to conduct the elections on July 29. A formal notification along with a note will be issued on Monday or Tuesday,” sources informed.
The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), the main political force in Darjeeling hills, is, however, yet to take a decision on whether it would contest the polls. On being contacted, a senior GJM leader informed that the party’s central committee would meet on June 24 to take a final decision. “Most likely a decision will be taken in favour of contesting the polls because if we don’t participate in the elections, our agenda for the development of the hills will not be fulfilled. Our party president will take the final decision,” he said.
The state government also firmly believes that GJM will contest the polls.
The chief minister said: “The GTA elections will be held soon. We have already issued notification after completion of the delimitation of the constituencies. Some MLAs have grievances on the high-power committee report. We have constituted a committee for fact verification.”