West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari will visit Darjeeling on Wednesday to attend the foundation day celebrations of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), marking a renewed political outreach to the hills amid closer ties between the BJP and the Bimal Gurung-led outfit.

“I will be going to Darjeeling tomorrow,” Adhikari told reporters in Nandigram, confirming his visit as the GJM prepares for a major gathering to mark its foundation day.

GJM president Bimal Gurung and general secretary Roshan Giri had invited the Chief Minister during a meeting with him in Kolkata in September.

The discussions focused on the political situation in the hills and development-related issues. Adhikari is expected to be the principal speaker at Wednesday’s programme.

Founded on October 7, 2007, the GJM emerged as a major political force in the Darjeeling hills through its movement for a separate Gorkhaland state. The party is currently an NDA ally and backed BJP candidates in several constituencies during this year’s West Bengal Assembly elections.

The BJP’s victories in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong have further strengthened its position in the three hill constituencies, giving the GJM renewed importance in the region’s political calculations.

Adhikari’s visit comes amid discussions between the state government and GJM leadership on development in the hills and a possible permanent political settlement for Darjeeling, Terai and Dooars.

The future of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) has also remained part of the wider political discourse.

State Transport Minister Arjun Singh had visited the hills ahead of the Chief Minister’s tour to assess the situation and was also present during the September meeting between Adhikari and GJM leaders.

The Chief Minister is expected to return to Kolkata after attending Wednesday’s programme.

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