The West Bengal Chief Minister, Ms Mamata Banerjee, on Saturday announced the withdrawal of her party’s candidates from the Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA) elections.
GTA is an autonomous body to look after the administration of the Darjeeling district and its foothills. GTA elections are scheduled to take place on June 29.
The Gorkhaland Janmukti Morcha (GJM), a dominant political outfit in the Darjeeling hills, has obtained 28 out of the 45 seats to the GTA.
“There were 17 contestants participating in GTA elections from the Trinamool Congress. We have decided to withdraw our nominations. We do not want confrontation with Harkha Bahadur,” Ms Banerjee said while addressing the rally commemorating July 21 as Martyrs’ Day.
The rally was attended by GJM leaders and MLAs like Mr Harka Bahadur Chhetri.