Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) Chief Executive Anit Thapa has resigned from his post, less than 24 hours after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari publicly called for an investigation into alleged corruption within the hill body. Thapa, who heads the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM), had assumed office in 2022 and still had nearly a year left in his tenure.
The resignation comes a day after Adhikari, while addressing a programme in Kurseong, reiterated allegations of corruption in the GTA and vowed action against those found guilty. "Those who have stolen public money will be sent to jail. No one will be spared. Our government will ensure that those involved in loot and corruption are put behind bars," the Chief Minister said.
Thapa's BGPM had emerged as the dominant force in the 2022 GTA elections, winning 27 of the 45 seats. Anjul Chouhan, a BGPM leader, was subsequently appointed Chairman of the GTA. The party had contested the election in alliance with the then ruling Trinamool Congress, which won five of the ten seats it contested. The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), led by Bimal Gurung, did not participate in the polls.
Allegations of corruption in the GTA are not new. During his first visit to North Bengal in May, Adhikari had raised the issue and promised a detailed investigation into the functioning of the autonomous body. At the time, he had said, "There has been corruption in the GTA. We will investigate the irregularities and ensure that all those responsible are sent to jail."
However, the Chief Minister did not specify when the investigation would begin, which agency would conduct it, or the scope of the proposed probe. His remarks renewed political focus on the functioning of the hill administration and triggered fresh debate over accountability within the GTA.
Responding to the allegations earlier, Thapa had stated that his administration had no objection to any audit or investigation. "We have no objection to an audit or inquiry into the GTA. However, the review should cover the entire period from 2012 onwards," he had said.
Political observers viewed the statement as a reference to the early years of the GTA, when the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, currently an ally of the BJP, was in control of the autonomous body. The remarks were seen as an attempt to broaden the scope of scrutiny beyond the current administration.
The GTA was established following a tripartite agreement signed in 2011 between the West Bengal government, the Centre and the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha. It replaced the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council and functions as an autonomous administrative body responsible for governance and development in parts of Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts.
The institution exercises administrative and financial powers over nearly 59 departments, including education, health, agriculture, tourism and public works, making it one of the most significant governing bodies in the Darjeeling hills. Thapa's resignation is expected to intensify political attention on the future of the GTA and the proposed corruption probe.
