GTA chief executive finally meets Centre’s Hills envoy

Darjeeling: Gorkhaland Territorial Administration chief executive Anit Thapa met Centre-appointed interlocutor Pankaj Kumar Singh on Wednesday. The meeting assumed significance because Thapa's party — Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) — has been an ally of Trinamool and Thapa had previously refused to meet the interlocutor.Singh, whom Centre appointed interlocutor in Oct last year, had visited Darjeeling in Jan. Thapa had refused to meet him at the time and had called the Centre's appointment "politically motivated" and "aimed at influencing assembly elections" in the state.On Wednesday, Thapa said he met the interlocutor in his capacity as GTA chief executive. "I met the interlocutor at Takdah Forest Guest House on Wednesday. The meeting lasted around 45 minutes. We deliberated on the issue of a permanent political solution for Darjeeling. The meeting was cordial and constructive," Thapa said. "Many issues concerning the Hills were discussed. They expressed concern for the Hills. It was a positive discussion," he added.Alongside Thapa, the interlocutor also met GNLF president Mann Ghising, IGJF Ajoy Edwards and representatives of several political and apolitical organisations. Singh's visit coincided with state minister Agnimitra Paul's visit to Darjeeling, where she held meetings with district administrations of Darjeeling and Kalimpong.Singh had met CM Suvendu Adhikari and senior officials of the Bengal govt on June 4. This was the first engagement of the state govt with Centre's interlocutor on the question of a permanent political solution for the Hills .Union home minister Amit Shah, while campaigning for BJP ahead of the state elections, had said that the Centre was committed to finding a permanent political solution for Darjeeling hills within the constitutional framework. BJP has also promised scheduled tribe (ST) status for 11 Gorkha communities.