Crucial Mamata-Anit Thapa Meet This Week as Gurung-Edwards-Tamang Reunite on Gorkhaland Demand

Hill politics is heating up again just as rescue work continues in the landslide-hit region.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Chief Executive Anit Thapa are set to hold a crucial meeting this week during her current district tour.

The proposed meeting is viewed to be extremely crucial following a major realignment in the hills. Three arch-rivals — Gorkha Janmukti Morcha's Bimal Gurung, Hamro Party's Ajay Edwards and estranged Trinamool leader Binoy Tamang — have come closer and resurrected the statehood demand. Even Trinamool's hill district Vice President, Pradeep Pradhan has also extended support to the trio on this count.

The development comes as the TMC's once-formidable cushions in south Bengal appear thinner, while the BJP remains entrenched in north Bengal.

On the ground, Edwards was seen on July 9 leading relief at Rangneet and Kanchan View after the slides — posting 15 photos and sending JCBs — a move that has drawn praise even from rival supporters. Political observers say relief work and the unity move together are aimed at putting pressure on both Kolkata and Delhi ahead of 2026.

Thapa, who heads the BGPM and leads the GTA, has so far maintained that development and administrative stability should be the priority, while the reunited trio is pushing for a renewed push for separate statehood talks with the Centre.

No official agenda for the Mamata-Thapa meeting has been released, but sources say landslide relief, GTA funds, and the growing opposition unity will dominate talks

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