Gorkhaland Territorial Administration

2026-03-14T19:47:29Z

62.254.124.238:

{{short description|Autonomous administrative division in West Bengal, India}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2016}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Gorkhaland Territorial Administration
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| settlement_type = [[Autonomous administrative divisions of India|Autonomous Administrative Region]]
| image_skyline = {{multiple image
| border = infobox
| total_width = 290
| image_style =
| perrow = 1/2/2/1
| image1 = Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.jpg
| image2 = Sunrise at Tiger hill.jpg
| image3 = Peace Pagoda,Darjeeling.jpg
| image4 = Batasia Loop War Memorial, Darjeeling.jpg
| image5 = Himalayas from Darjeeling DSCN5313.jpg
| image6 = Darjeeling - The City View.jpg
}}
| image_caption = Clockwise from top:<br />[[Darjeeling Himalayan Railway]]; Sunrise view from [[Tiger Hill, Darjeeling|Tiger Hill]]; [[Peace Pagoda, Darjeeling]]; [[Batasia Loop]]; View of the [[Himalayas]] from Darjeeling; [[Darjeeling]] cityscape
| nickname = "Land of the Gorkhas"
| image_map = Gorkhaland in West Bengal (India).svg
| image_seal = Gorkhaland Territorial Administration seal.png
| seal_size = 122px
| seal_alt = Seal of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in West Bengal, India
| coordinates = {{coord|27|02|N|88|16|E|region:IN-WB|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = State
| subdivision_name1 = [[West Bengal]]
| established_title = Established
| established_date = 2011
| seat_type = Headquarters
| seat = [[Darjeeling]]
| area_total_km2 = 7000
| population_total = 1850000
| population_as_of = 2021 est.
| population_density_km2 = auto
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Nepali language|Nepali]], [[English language|English]]
| demographics1_title2 = Regional
| demographics1_info2 = [[Bengali language|Bengali]], [[Bhutia language|Bhutia]], [[Hindi language|Hindi]], [[Lepcha language|Lepcha]], [[Limbu language|Limbu]], [[Rai languages|Rai]], [[Sherpa language|Sherpa]],[[Tamang language|Tamang]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +05:30
| postal_code_type = PIN
| postal_code = 734xxx
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| area_code = +91-354
| registration_plate = WB-76, WB-77, WB-78
| website = 
| footnotes =
}}
{{Infobox legislature
| name = Gorkhaland Territorial Administration
| native_name = 
| native_name_lang =
| coa_pic = Gorkhaland Territorial Administration seal.png
| coa_res = 150px
| coa_alt = Logo of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration
| coa_caption = [[Emblem of West Bengal|Seal of the GTA]]
| house_type = [[Autonomous administrative divisions of India|Autonomous Administrative Division]]
| foundation = {{start date and age|2012}}
| disbanded =
| preceded_by =[[Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council]]
| succeeded_by =
| leader1_type = Chief executive
| leader1 = Anit Thapa
| party1 =[[Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha|BGPM]]
| election1 = 2022
| leader2_type = Deputy chief executive
| leader2 = Sanchabir Subba
| party2 =[[Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha|BGPM]]
| election2 = 2022
| leader3_type = Chairman
| leader3 = Anjul Chauhan
| party3 =[[Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha|BGPM]]
| election3 = 2022
| leader4 = Rajesh Chauhan
| leader4_type = Deputy chairman
| party4 = [[Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha|BGPM]]
| election4 = 2022
|term_limits=5 years
|footnotes=*'''Area''': 3,303.98 km²
*'''Population''' : 878,002
*'''Density''' : 270/km²
|logo_pic=Gorkhaland in West Bengal (India).svg
|logo_caption=Gorkhaland (marked red) in West Bengal
|logo_res=
|logo_alt=
|structure1=File: GTAApril2024.svg
|structure1_res=300px
|political_groups1='''[[Government]] (36)'''
:{{legend|FFFF00|[[Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha|BGPM]] (29)}}
:{{legend|#20C646|[[Trinamool Congress|TMC]] (4)}}
:{{legend|#DCDCDC|[[Independent politician|IND]] (3)}}
'''[[Parliamentary opposition|Opposition]] (9)'''
:{{legend|{{party color|Hamro Party}}|[[Indian Gorkha Janshakti Front|IGJF]] (6)}}
:{{legend|{{party color|Independent politician}}|[[Independent politician|IND]] (3)}}
'''Other (5)'''
:{{legend|#000001|Nominated (5)}}
| meeting_place = [[Darjeeling]], [[West Bengal]]
|website=[https://gtadarjeeling.wb.gov.in/ gtadarjeeling.wb.gov.in]
|voting_system1=[[First-past-the-post voting]]
|last_election1=[[2022 Gorkhaland Territorial Administration election|2022]]
|next_election1=2027|seats=50}}

The '''Gorkhaland Territorial Administration''' ('''GTA''') is a semi-autonomous [[council]] consisting of the northernmost areas of the Indian state of [[West Bengal]]. The GTA was formed in 2012 to replace the [[Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council]], which had been formed in 1988 and administered the Darjeeling hills for 23 years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=728097|title=Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Agreement signed|publisher=Outlook|date=18 July 2011|access-date=16 March 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603154514/http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=728097|archive-date=3 June 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2246756.ece|title=Pact signed for Gorkhaland Territorial Administration|work=The Hindu|date=18 July 2011|access-date=16 March 2012|location=Chennai, India|first=Ananya|last=Dutta}}</ref>

GTA presently consists of three hill subdivisions [[Darjeeling Sadar subdivision|Darjeeling]], [[Kurseong subdivision|Kurseong]], [[Mirik subdivision|Mirik]], some areas of [[Siliguri subdivision]] of Darjeeling district and the whole of [[Kalimpong district]] under its authority.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gorkhaland Territorial Administration |url=http://gtadmin.org/ |website=gtadmin.org |access-date=14 August 2020 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803065422/http://gtadmin.org/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== History ==
{{main|Gorkhaland movement}}
Gorkhaland is the name of the proposed state in India that the [[Nepali language|Nepali]]-speaking [[Indian Gorkha]] ethnic group in the district of [[Darjeeling district|Darjeeling]] and [[Kalimpong]] and the [[Dooars]] in northern region of [[West Bengal]] have expressed a desire to create. A demand for a separate administrative unit in Darjeeling has existed since 1909, when the Hillmen's Association of Darjeeling submitted a memorandum to [[Minto-Morley Reforms]] demanding a separate administrative setup. The term ''Gorkhaland'' was coined by [[Subhash Ghisingh]], leader of [[Gorkha National Liberation Front]], who led a violent agitation for its formation in the 1980s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.darjeelingtimes.com/news/Interviews/Interview-with-subash-ghisingh.html|title=Interview with Subhash Ghisingh|work=Darjeeling Times|date=11 January 2008|access-date=16 March 2012|archive-date=12 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312041229/http://www.darjeelingtimes.com/news/Interviews/Interview-with-subash-ghisingh.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> This movement culminated with the formation of [[Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council]] (DGHC) in 1988. The DGHC did not fulfil its goal of forming a new state, which led to the downfall of Subhash Ghisingh<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/03/11/stories/2008031154731100.htm|title=Subhas Ghising resigns|work=The Hindu|date=11 March 2008|access-date=16 March 2012|location=Chennai, India}}</ref> and the rise of another party [[Gorkha Janmukti Morcha]] (GJM) headed by [[Bimal Gurung]] in 2007, which launched a second agitation for a Gorkhaland state.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.rediff.com/column/2010/jun/03/gjm-leader-bimal-gurung-utterly-self-possessed-and-apparently-ruthless.htm|title=GJM leader Bimal Gurung|work=The Hindu|date=3 June 2010|access-date=16 March 2012}}</ref>

=== Formation of GTA ===
After three years of agitation for a state of Gorkhaland led by GJM, the GJM reached an agreement with the state government to form a semi-autonomous body to administer the Darjeeling hills.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newindianexpress.com/nation/article432036.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512224934/http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/article432036.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 May 2014|title=Darjeeling issue solved: Mamata|publisher=Express Buzz|date=8 June 2011|access-date=16 March 2012}}</ref> A bill for the creation of GTA was passed in the [[West Bengal Legislative Assembly]] on 2 September 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/GTA-Bill-passed-with-54-amendments/articleshow/9842647.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106070457/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-03/kolkata/30110031_1_territorial-administration-bill-harka-bahadur-chhetri-gjm|url-status=live|archive-date=6 November 2012|title=GTA Bill passed with 54 amendments|date=3 September 2011|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=16 March 2012}}</ref> The GTA aimed to have administrative, executive and financial powers but no legislative powers. A 10-member joint verification committee headed by a retired High Court judge examined the demand to bring the Gorkha-inhabited pockets of the Dooars and the [[Terai]] under the GTA.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110730/jsp/frontpage/story_14309540.jsp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505034659/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110730/jsp/frontpage/story_14309540.jsp|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 May 2012|title=Ex-judge to head hill committee|work=The Telegraph|date=30 July 2011|access-date=16 March 2012|location=Calcutta, India}}</ref>

=== Memorandum of Agreement ===
The Memorandum of Agreement<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.darjeelingtimes.com/images/stories/news_images/2011/jul11/jul15/finalmos.pdf|title=Full text of GTA MoA|work=Darjeeling Times|date=15 July 2011|access-date=16 March 2012}}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> for GTA was signed on 18 July 2011 at Pintail Village near [[Siliguri]] in the presence of Union Home Minister [[P. Chidambaram]], West Bengal chief minister [[Mamata Banerjee]], the then Darjeeling Lok Sabha MP [[Jaswant Singh]] and [[Gorkha Janmukti Morcha]] leaders.<ref>{{cite news|url = http://www.indiangorkhas.in/2011/07/gorkhaland-territorial-administration.html|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160305003752/http://www.indiangorkhas.in/2011/07/gorkhaland-territorial-administration.html|url-status = dead|archive-date = 5 March 2016|title = Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA)|work = Indian Gorkhas}}</ref> The agreement was signed by West Bengal Home Secretary G.D. Gautama, Union Home Ministry Joint Secretary K.K. Pathak and [[Gorkha Janmukti Morcha]] general secretary Roshan Giri.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.outlookindia.com/item.aspx?728097|title=Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Agreement signed|publisher=Outlook|date=18 July 2011|access-date=16 March 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719180442/http://news.outlookindia.com/item.aspx?728097|archive-date=19 July 2011}}</ref>

=== Demand for GATA ===
On 29 October 2011, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha and the Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikas Parishad (ABAVP), Dooars Unit signed an 18-point agreement at Mongpoo, after which these organizations jointly proposed a new administrative body called the Gorkhaland and Adivasi Territorial Administration (GATA) in place of the GTA.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/delhi/plea-to-rename-gorkha-council_738966.html|title=Plea to rename Gorkha council|publisher=Zee News|date=30 October 2011|access-date=16 March 2012}}</ref> The ABAVP decided to agree to incorporate 196 mouzas of the Dooars and 199 mouzas of the Terai region into the proposed GATA.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thestatesman.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=388679&catid=72|title=GJMM-ABAVP joint deputation on GATA|publisher=The Statesman|date=2 November 2011|access-date=16 March 2012}}</ref>

=== President's assent and high-power committee report ===
The [[President of India]] [[Pratibha Patil]] gave her assent to the GTA Bill of West Bengal on 7 March 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/Chunk-HT-UI-IndiaSectionPage-TopStories/President-gives-her-assent-to-the-GTA-Bill/Article1-822330.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308083707/http://www.hindustantimes.com/news-feed/Chunk-HT-UI-IndiaSectionPage-TopStories/President-gives-her-assent-to-the-GTA-Bill/Article1-822330.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 March 2012|title=President gives her assent to the GTA Bill|work=Hindustan Times|date=7 March 2012|access-date=16 March 2012}}</ref> The West Bengal government issued a gazette notification for the GTA Act on 14 March 2012, signalling preparations for elections for the GTA.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Gorkha-Territory-readies-for-polls/articleshow/12269627.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120422181836/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-03-15/kolkata/31196654_1_darjeeling-hills-gorkha-janmukti-morcha-gjm|url-status=live|archive-date=22 April 2012|title=Gorkha territory readies for polls|date=15 March 2012|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=16 March 2012}}</ref> In a meeting held on 24 March 2012 between GJM leaders and the West Bengal government, it was decided that the election to the GTA would be held in the end of June or in July 2012.
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/WestBengal/High-powered-committee-on-GTA-emerges-as-a-perfect-instrument-to-resolve-impasse/Article1-830368.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130420153434/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/WestBengal/High-powered-committee-on-GTA-emerges-as-a-perfect-instrument-to-resolve-impasse/Article1-830368.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 April 2013|title=High-powered committee on GTA emerges as a perfect instrument to resolve impasse|work=Hindustan Times|date=24 March 2012|access-date=24 March 2012}}</ref> The Justice Sen Committee would be requested to submit its report on the inclusion of additional areas of Terai and Dooars in the GTA by early June 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=757073|title=GJM climbs down GTA demand, says polls in June–July|publisher=Outlook|date=24 March 2012|access-date=24 March 2012}}</ref> The WB government released a list of 45 constituencies of the GTA on 26 May 2012 to which elections are to be held in July 2012.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Gorkhaland-Territorial-Administration-draft-lists-17-new-constituencies/articleshow/13548203.cms|title=Gorkhaland Territorial Administration draft lists 17 new constituencies|work=The Times of India|date=27 May 2012|access-date=4 June 2012}}</ref> The high-powered committee headed by retired judge [[Shyamal Kumar Sen]] that was set up by the West Bengal government recommended inclusion of just five [[mouza]]s under the proposed GTA although the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha had demanded 398 mouzas from the Dooars and Terai regions.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/darjeeling-might-be-violent-again/articleshow/13966042.cms|title=Darjeeling might be violent again|work=The Economic Times|date=9 June 2012|access-date=9 June 2012}}</ref> The West Bengal government announced that it would set up a three-member "Fact Verification Committee" to go into the recommendations of Justice Sen Committee after the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha rejected its report.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/generalnews/news/govt-to-setfact-verification-committeegjm-demand/21365/|title=Govt to set up Fact Verification committee on GJM demand|work=Business Standard|date=16 June 2012|access-date=1 July 2012|agency=Press Trust of India}}</ref> The [[Calcutta High Court]] admitted on 19 June 2012 the case moved by Gorkha National Liberation Front leader Subhash Ghisingh challenging the legality of the GTA. Justice Dipankar Dutta told the three signatories to the GTA agreement – the central government, the state government and the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha – to file affidavits stating their stand on Ghisingh's contention.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120620/jsp/siliguri/story_15631990.jsp#.T-H8sbWES8o|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623154144/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120620/jsp/siliguri/story_15631990.jsp#.T-H8sbWES8o|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 June 2012|title=HC allows Ghisingh GTA plea – Affidavit order for govts & Morcha|work=The Telegraph|date=20 June 2012|access-date=20 June 2012|location=Calcutta, India|first=Our|last=Legal}}</ref>

==Elections==
=== GTA election 2012 ===
The West Bengal government announced that the election for the GTA would be held on 29 July 2012.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/State-sets-July-29-date-for-GTA-polls/articleshow/14399090.cms|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103173246/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-26/kolkata/32424010_1_gorkha-janmukti-morcha-gjm-shyamal-sen-committee-report|url-status=live|archive-date=3 January 2013|title=State sets July 29 date for GTA polls|date=26 June 2012|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=1 July 2012}}</ref> The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha announced that it would contest the GTA polls, which it had earlier threatened to boycott over the Justice Sen-headed committee recommendations on territorial inclusion of the Dooars and Terai that it had rejected.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/WestBengal/Gorkha-Janmukti-Morcha-to-contest-GTA-elections/Article1-881430.aspx|title=Gorkha Janmukti Morcha to contest GTA elections|work=The Hindustan Times|date=30 June 2012|access-date=1 July 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120701015423/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/WestBengal/Gorkha-Janmukti-Morcha-to-contest-GTA-elections/Article1-881430.aspx|archive-date=1 July 2012}}</ref> After a period of silence, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha announced the names of its GTA election nominees.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120706/jsp/siliguri/story_15697611.jsp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120709015747/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120706/jsp/siliguri/story_15697611.jsp|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 July 2012|title=GTA list of 32 but no Gurung|work=The Telegraph|date=5 July 2012|access-date=7 July 2012|location=Calcutta, India|first=Vivek|last=Chhetri}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120707/jsp/frontpage/story_15700400.jsp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717083719/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120707/jsp/frontpage/story_15700400.jsp|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 July 2012|title=Gurung in GTA fray|work=The Telegraph|date=6 July 2012|access-date=7 July 2012|location=Calcutta, India|first=Vivek|last=Chhetri}}</ref> Parties that formed the Gorkhaland Task Force ([[Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxists|CPRM]], [[ABGL]], [[Gorkha National Liberation Front (C.K. Pradhan)|GNLF(C)]], Gorkhaland Rajya Nirman Morcha and others) decided not contest the GTA elections.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://in.news.yahoo.com/gjm-faces-heat-rival-parties-strong-arm-tactics-144738644.html|title=GJM faces heat from rival parties for strong-arm tactics|publisher=Yahoo News|date=7 July 2012|access-date=8 July 2012}}</ref> Both [[CPI(M)]] and [[Trinamool Congress]] fielded candidates in the election.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/darjeeling-gta-election-is-taking-one-sided-shape/articleshow/14717481.cms|title=Darjeeling GTA election is taking one sided shape|work=The Economic Times|date=6 July 2012|access-date=7 July 2012}}</ref> The GNLF decided to boycott the elections and its chairman filed a case in the Kolkata High Court challenging the GTA.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-otherstates/article3583517.ece|title=Gurung challenges Ghising to contest GTA polls|work=The Hindu|date=29 June 2012|access-date=7 July 2012|location=Chennai, India|first=Marcus|last=Dam}}</ref> The CPI(M) withdrew the nominations of all its 13 candidates from the GTA elections, alleging threats and intimidation by the GJM<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newstrackindia.com/newsdetails/2012/07/12/254--All-CPI-M-candidates-pull-out-of-Gorkhaland-polls-.html|title=All CPI-M candidates pull out of Gorkhaland polls|publisher=News track India/IANS|date=12 July 2012|access-date=15 July 2012}}</ref> and the GJM received 28 seats of the GTA uncontested.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120713/jsp/siliguri/story_15722547.jsp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120716000322/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120713/jsp/siliguri/story_15722547.jsp|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 July 2012|title=Morcha gets 28, Gurung thanks CPM|work=The Telegraph|date=13 July 2012|access-date=15 July 2012|location=Calcutta, India|first1=Vivek|last1=Chhetri|first2=Avijit|last2=Sinha}}</ref> In the elections of the remaining 17 seats of the GTA held on 29 July 2012, GJM candidates won from all the constituencies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.darjeelingtimes.com/main-news/politics/4936-gjm-sweeps-maiden-gta-polls-not-to-give-up-gorkhaland-demand.html|title=GJM sweeps maiden GTA polls, not to give up Gorkhaland demand|publisher=Darjeeling Times/IANS|date=2 August 2012|access-date=5 August 2012|archive-date=1 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101133246/http://www.darjeelingtimes.com/main-news/politics/4936-gjm-sweeps-maiden-gta-polls-not-to-give-up-gorkhaland-demand.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Sanchabir Subba, the rebel [[Gorkha Janmukti Morcha]] candidate from Gitdabling-Nimbong, narrowly lost to the party's official contestant Kalyan Dewan by 677 votes.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120803/jsp/siliguri/story_15806782.jsp#.UB4clk0gfao|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512231036/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120803/jsp/siliguri/story_15806782.jsp#.UB4clk0gfao|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 May 2014|title=Lone rebel Subba loses|work=The Telegraph|date=3 August 2012|access-date=5 August 2012|location=Calcutta, India|first=Rajeev|last=Ravidas}}</ref> The newly elected members of the GTA were sworn in on 4 August 2012 at Darjeeling in the presence of home minister [[Sushilkumar Shinde]] and [[Chief Minister of West Bengal]] [[Mamata Banerjee]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Gorkha-Territorial-Administration-members-sworn-in-Shinde-Mamata-assure-support/articleshow/15352094.cms |title=Gorkha Territorial Administration members sworn in; Shinde, Mamata assure support |work=The Times of India |date=5 August 2012 |access-date=5 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120804212156/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Gorkha-Territorial-Administration-members-sworn-in-Shinde-Mamata-assure-support/articleshow/15352094.cms |archive-date=4 August 2012 }}</ref>

{{election table|title=Summary of results of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration election, 2012|sortable=yes}}<ref>{{cite news|url=http://darjeeling.gov.in/GTAelected_candidates.html|title=GTA Elections 2012|work=Darjeeling.gov.in|access-date=20 February 2017}}</ref>
|-
|
|Political Party
|Seats Contested
|Seats Won
|Net Change in Seats
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Gorkha Janmukti Morcha}}
||45||45||-|First election
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Trinamool Congress}}
||17||0||-|First election
|-
|}

=== 2017 agitation and GTA under appointed administrators ===
In 2017, there was another agitation for Gorkhaland in the Darjeeling hills.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/dec/26/2017-the-year-when-darjeeling-hills-simmered-in-gorkhaland-movement-1737026.html|title=2017: The year when Darjeeling hills simmered in Gorkhaland movement|work=The New Indian Express|date=26 December 2017|access-date=23 May 2022}}</ref> The GTA councillors belonging to [[Gorkha Janmukti Morcha|GJM]] resigned and burnt copies of the GTA memorandum of agreement and the GTA Act in June 2017, saying that the GTA had failed to fulfil the aspirations of the people.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.millenniumpost.in/kolkata/kolkata-249553|title=Violence in Hills: GJM burns copies of GTA Accord and Act|work=Millennium Post|date=28 June 2017|access-date=23 May 2022}}</ref> On 20 September 2017, the [[Government of West Bengal|West Bengal government]] reconstituted the GTA and appointed rebel GJM leader Binoy Tamang as its chairperson.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/mamata-reconstitutes-gta-appoints-binoy-tamang-chairperson/article19721768.ece|title=Mamata reconstitutes GTA, appoints Binoy Tamang chairperson|work=The Hindu|date=20 September 2017|access-date=23 May 2022}}</ref> Before the 2019 [[Darjeeling Assembly constituency|Darjeeling assembly]] bye-election, Binoy Tamang stepped down as GTA chairman to contest the assembly bye-election. Anit Thapa was appointed the new GTA chairman.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.millenniumpost.in/kolkata/tamang-resigns-from-post-of-gta-chairman-350510|title=Tamang resigns from post of GTA chairman|work=Millennium Post|date=25 April 2019|access-date=23 May 2022}}</ref> Before the [[2021 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election]], the West Bengal government dissolved the Anit Thapa-led GTA Board of Administrators and handed over the administration of GTA to the GTA principal secretary.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sikkimexpress.com/news-details/gta-board-dissolved-administration-handed-over-to-principal-secretary|title=GTA Board Dissolved, Administration Handed Over to Principal Secretary|work=Kalimpong News|date=29 March 2021|access-date=23 May 2022}}</ref>

=== GTA election 2022 ===
{{Main|2022 Gorkhaland Territorial Administration election}}
After running the GTA with government-appointed administrators for 5 years (2017–2022), the West Bengal government announced that the election for the second GTA Sabha would be held on 26 June 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.abplive.com/news/india/gta-election-2022-bengal-election-commission-announces-gorkhaland-territorial-administration-poll-dates-1534091|title=GTA Election 2022: Bengal Election Commission Announces Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Poll Dates|work=ABP Live|date=27 May 2022|access-date=29 May 2022}}</ref> A total of 277 candidates, including 45 from Hamro Party (now renamed [[Indian Gorkha Janshakti Front]]), 36 from [[Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha]], 12 from [[CPIM]], 10 from [[Trinamool Congress]], 5 from [[Indian National Congress|Congress]] and 169 [[Independent politician|independents]], contested the GTA election.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/gorkha-territorial-administration-gta-elections-candidates-independents-7953267|title=GTA elections: 210 of 318 candidates are Independents|work=The Indian Express|date=27 June 2022|access-date=13 June 2022}}</ref> All elected members of the GTA Sabha took oath on 12 July 2022 in [[Darjeeling]] in a function that was attended by West Bengal Chief Minister [[Mamata Banerjee]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eastmojo.com/national/2022/07/13/want-friendship-no-fight-mamata-banerjee-to-new-gorkhaland-admin/|title=Want friendship, no fight: Mamata Banerjee to new Gorkhaland admin|work=East Mojo|date=13 July 2022|access-date=14 July 2022}}</ref> On 14 July 2022, West Bengal Governor [[Jagdeep Dhankhar]] administered the oath of office to Anit Thapa as the Chief Executive of GTA.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/wb-governor-administers-oath-to-gta-office-bearers-warns-of-yearly-audit/article65640420.ece|title=WB Governor administers oath to GTA office bearers, warns of yearly audit|work=The Hindu|date=15 July 2022|access-date=15 July 2022}}</ref> The five members of the GTA Sabha nominated by the West Bengal government took oath on 25 August 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.millenniumpost.in/kolkata/5-nominated-gta-sabhasads-take-oath-490862?infinitescroll=1|title=5 nominated GTA Sabhasads take oath|work=Millennium Post|date=26 August 2022|access-date=26 August 2022}}</ref> Two Hamro Party councillors of the GTA joined [[Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha]] on 5 November 2022.<ref>{{cite web|title=Two Hamro Party GTA Sabhasads cross over to BGPM|date=6 November 2022 |url=https://www.millenniumpost.in/nation/two-hamro-party-gta-sabhasads-cross-over-to-bgpm-498199|publisher=Millennium Post|accessdate=28 November 2022}}</ref> Binoy Tamang, who had won the GTA election on a TMC ticket but had left that party afterwards, joined [[Indian National Congress|Congress]] on 26 November 2023.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Singh |first1=Shiv Sahay |title=Prominent Gorkha leader Binay Tamang joins Congress|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/prominent-gorkha-leader-binay-tamang-joins-congress/article67577353.ece|work=The Hindu|date=26 November 2023 |accessdate=27 November 2023}}</ref> He was expelled from Congress on 23 April 2024.<ref>{{cite web|title=Congress expels Gorkha leader Binoy Tamang for 6 years for supporting BJP's Darjeeling candidate| work=The Economic Times | date=23 April 2024 |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/lok-sabha/west-bengal/congress-expels-gorkha-leader-binoy-tamang-for-6-years-for-supporting-bjps-darjeeling-candidate/articleshow/109540456.cms?from=mdr|accessdate=4 May 2024}}</ref>

{{election table|title=Summary of results of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration election, 2022|sortable=yes}}
|-
|
|Political Party
|Seats Contested
|Seats Won
|Net Change in Seats
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Hamro Party|no_link=y}} ([[Indian Gorkha Janshakti Front|IGJF]])
| 45
| 8
| First election
|-
|-
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha}}
| 36
| 27
| First election
|-
|-
|-
| {{Party name with colour|All India Trinamool Congress}}
| 10
| 5
| +5
|-
|-
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}
| 12
| 0
| First election
|-
|-
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Indian National Congress}}
| 5
| 0
| First election
|-
|-
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Independent politician}} (169 contestants)
| 45
| 5
| +5
|-
|-
|}

== Regional political parties of Gorkhaland ==
* [[Gorkha Janmukti Morcha]] (GJM)
* [[Gorkha National Liberation Front]] (GNLF)
* [[Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha]] (BGPM)
* [[Indian Gorkha Janshakti Front]] (IGJF)
* [[Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxists]] (CPRM)
* [[Akhil Bharatiya Gorkha League]] (ABGL)
* Gorkhaland Rajya Nirman Morcha (GRNM)
* [[Gorkha Rashtriya Congress]] (GRC)
* [[Jana Andolan Party]] (JAP)

=== Social organisations supporting Gorkhaland ===
* [[Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh]] (Bhagop)

== See also ==
* [[Autonomous regions of India]]
* [[Gorkhaland movement]]

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*[https://www.facebook.com/GorkhalandTerritorialAdministration Gorkhaland Territorial Administration]

{{Autonomous administrative divisions of India}}
{{Proposed states and territories of India}}
{{Darjeeling}}

[[Category:Politics of Gorkhaland]]
[[Category:Government of West Bengal]]
[[Category:Autonomous district councils of India]]
[[Category:2011 in Indian politics]]
[[Category:Politics of Darjeeling district]]
[[Category:Darjeeling district]]
[[Category:Kalimpong district]]
[[Category:2012 establishments in West Bengal]]

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Gorkhaland Territorial Administration