Bimal Gurung officially elected GTA chief executive, Today

EOI

Darjeeling : Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) president Bimal Gurung was officially reinstated as the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) chief executive, the post he had given up on July 30, to restart the Gorkha state agitation. GTA executive member Binay Tamang proposed Gurung’s name as the chief executive which was seconded by Colonel (retired) Ramesh Allay, the acting chief executive and the Sabha members gave their consent. The resolution of the Sabha will be sent to the state government today itself so that the process of Gurung taking the oath on December 26 in Kolkata can be facilitated. The oath taking ceremony at the Governor’s House in Kolkata is expected to be a somber affair, unlike the grand ceremony that was organized at the Chowrastha in Darjeeling in 2012. 

Speaking after the GTA meeting, Gurung said he had analyzed the Hills’ scenario before taking the decision to return to the post. “To me it seems, people are more interested in the development of the Hills rather than our prime issue of a separate state. Therefore for the welfare of the people I decided to rejoin the GTA as the chief executive, to finish pending projects and also initiate new ones. Priority will be given to the education, health and tourism sectors,” he said, refusing to elaborate any further. On December 16, the GTA Sabha had passed a resolution seeking Gurung to be made the chief executive. The new GTA chief executive along with GJM general secretary Roshan Giri and Samirdeep Blone and Amar Singh Rai, the two chairmen of the Kurseong and Darjeeling municipalities, respectively, left for Kolkata for the oath taking ceremony. 

Eight other GTA members along with the Darjeeling MLA will also be leaving for Kolkata to attend the swearing in. Tamang who is also the GJM assistant secretary expressed happiness over the election of Gurung as the chief executive. “The GTA was being run so long without a full-fledged chief executive. For such an important body, it is imperative that it functions properly. We are happy that our party president will rejoin as the chief executive,” he said. Worth mentioning here is that Tamang, now out on bail was chosen to head the GTA on September 27, after Gurung submitted his resignation. However he could not take oath as he was confined in a correctional home. Under such a circumstance the GTA Sabha on October 22 empowered Allay, who is the deputy chief executive to function as the acting chief executive.