GTA: BGPM holds rally in support of Trinamool’s Jayprakash Toppo

West Bengal: Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) chief and Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) president Anit Thapa on Wednesday actively campaigned for Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidate Jay Prakash Toppo in the Madarihat by-election in the Dooars region. Thapa visited several areas, including Gorkha-dominated areas like Binnaguri, Lankapara and Hantpara, interacted with locals and urged them to support Toppo. Apart from Thapa, TMC state vice-president Joy Prakash Majumdar joined the campaign and extended support for Toppo by attending press conferences and rallies.

During his tour, Thapa met prominent members of the Gorkha community and campaigned in tea gardens of the Madarihat constituency. Party leaders said Thapa plans to stay in the Dooars region for the next five days to intensify campaign efforts. Incidentally, the BGPM is an ally of the TMC. Addressing the voters, Thapa highlighted the alleged neglect of north Bengal by the central government and compared it with the development initiatives of the state. “We have come here to campaign for Jay Prakash Toppo. It is not just about Gorkha votes but all votes. People can see the difference – the central government has neglected the region, while the state government has worked for its development,” Thapa said. In a parallel effort, TMC state vice-president Joy Prakash Majumdar also campaigned for Toppo and strengthened the party’s commitment to the region.

Addressing a press conference at the TMC election office in Birpara, Majumdar expressed confidence in Toppo’s victory. “Out of the 28 gram panchayats in this constituency, 23 are under the control of TMC, so we are confident of winning this seat,” Majumdar said. He accused the BJP of conspiring against the poor sections of the society. Majumdar highlighted the promises made by the central government to support the tea industry, particularly citing the Rs 1,000 crore package announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, which he claims has not benefited the tea gardens of the region in any way as it is yet to be implemented. He remarked: “Madarihat is a tea garden constituency and residents are well aware of the unfulfilled promises. We are confident that the voters will reflect this sentiment by giving a befitting reply to the BJP for all its false assurances in the by-election.