Kalimpong, 11th August: MP Raju Bista had earlier issued a press release asking the whereabouts of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) leaders amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
In this context, GTA Chairman Anit Thapa stated that the people living in the GTA region are well aware of the contribution of GTA during the COVID crisis.
“I have no inclination to advertise what we are doing and what we aren’t. It’s not my way of life,” Thapa counter-attacked Bista, on Tuesday.
While the GTA Chairman shutdown all allegations saying that he has frequently emphasized that amid grave concerns over the corona pandemic, one should stop playing the blame-game and instead come together to combat the crisis, however, he did not miss a chance to take a jibe at MP Raju Bista saying that the same people who elected him as their MP with such humongous votes, know very well of his contribution towards the hills amid the COVID pandemic.
Thapa condemned MP Bista’s statement on the Triveni COVID Hospital, saying that the GTA despite being a small administration, is undertaking every possible measure to contain the spread of the coronavirus in the hills.
“GTA successfully established the Triveni COVID Hospital after exorbitant hard work. The least Bista needs to do is to contribute essentials required at the hospital,” Thapa added.
The GTA Chairman further accused Bista of failing to provide him with a testing lab, despite urging him numerously. He stated that the Triveni Hospital owns ventilators, dialysis machines which are the basic infrastructure needed to treat COVID patients. He added that he has promised to supply a TrueNAT machine for screening patients for COVID-19.
“If you look at the other government COVID Hospital, the Triveni COVID Hospital established by GTA is far well-organized and efficient,” Thapa challenged.
He appealed to MP Raju Bista to come and work towards for the betterment of the hills instead of pointing fingers. “Not only the allies of GTA but also the leaders of all political parties within the GTA constituency are helping combat the pandemic in their own way,” Thapa added.
“You won the MP seat from Darjeeling by securing massive votes. I too can ask you about your whereabouts, but I choose not to as it is your personal matter,” Thapa poked Bista.
He added that all of this has made him realized that no matter which party one belongs to, the leader ‘for’ the hills should be ‘from’ the hills. “This is what we should remember the next time we choose a leader,” he added.