Anit Thapa

Anit Thapa is a prominent Indian politician, currently serving as the Chief Executive of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) and the President of the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM). Recognized as the tallest political leader in the Darjeeling Hills, he is widely respected for his grassroots leadership, strategic political vision, and development-driven governance.

Under his leadership, BGPM has become the largest political party in the Darjeeling Hills, winning key elections and establishing its presence across GTA, municipal bodies, and rural panchayats.

Born in Mungpo, Thapa completed his schooling in Kurseong and pursued higher studies in Darjeeling. He began his political career in 2007, supporting singer Prashant Tamang’s Indian Idol campaign and joining Bimal Gurung in the formation of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM).

Thapa was elected uncontested from Kurseong in the 2013 GTA elections. In 2017, during the Gorkhaland agitation, he and Binoy Tamang broke away to form GJM-2, opposing the violent approach of the earlier leadership. He was later appointed Vice Chairman and subsequently Chairman of the GTA in 2019.

In September 2021, he founded the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM), which rapidly rose to power in the region.

Key Achievements

GTA Elections 2022: Under Anit Thapa's leadership, the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) secured a decisive victory, winning 27 out of 45 seats in the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) elections, forming the ruling administration.

Municipal Leadership: BGPM leads multiple urban bodies across the hills. It won 8 seats in the Darjeeling Municipality elections (March 2022), with 9 additional councillors later joining, allowing the party to form the board. The party also governs Kurseong and Kalimpong municipalities.

Revival of Panchayati Raj: After a gap of 23 years, the Thapa-led administration successfully conducted two-tier Panchayat elections in July 2023. BGPM formed boards in 8 out of 9 Panchayat Samitis and 103 out of 117 Gram Sabhas, restoring grassroots democracy in the region.

Land Rights for Tea Garden Workers: The GTA administration initiated land survey and documentation work to grant land ownership rights to tea garden residents — a long-standing demand in the hills.

Regional Reforms: A Regional Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has been established to ensure fair and localized recruitment, improving employment transparency and access for local youth.