A Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) Sabha member of the ruling Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) has been accused by Hamro Party chief Ajoy Edwards of taking back a gift of 100 cement bags from villagers.

Edwards, an elected GTA Sabha member, has accused Sandip Chhetri, who represents Chungthung-Marybong constituency in Bijanbari block, of taking back cement bags from residents of Tungna and Karki on Tuesday.

The reason, according to Edwards, was that most villagers, who were BGPM supporters, joined Hamro Party on Sunday. Chhetri denied the allegation.

“On Sunday, most of the residents of Tungna and Karki villages in the block joined Hamro Party. Hearing this, the elected GTA member Sandip Chhetri took back the cement bags he had gifted the locals,” alleged Edwards.

Both the villages are some 25km from Darjeeling town.

According to Edwards, the two villages did not have road connectivity. So when the villagers placed a demand for roads before Edwards, he got a kutcha road dug up.

“Once the road was made, Chhetri along with their party representative of the area Bunty Gurung had gifted the villagers cement bags to develop it (the road) a few weeks ago,” said Edwards.

Chhetri, when contacted, said he didn't ask for the cement bags.

“I remember helping villagers with 100 bags of cement but no, I have not asked for the bags to be returned,” Chhetri told The Telegraph.

The elected GTA Sabha member added that he was surprised at the allegations.

“I will visit the villages this coming Sunday to get a first-hand account. Nevertheless, the allegations are false and they should not stoop so low,” added Chhetri.

Bunty echoed Chhetri. "I am surprised at the charges," he said.

The last time a “gift” controversy erupted in the hills was in 2021 when Darjeeling MP Raju Bista said he'd reveal Gorkha Janmukti Morcha president Bimal Gurung's shoe size.

Addressing a crowd, Bista had said: “Once (these leaders) reach Delhi, they only want money. So, how will you get Gorkhaland? The day I have to reveal, I will reveal everything, I will evenreveal (Bimal Gurung’s) shoe size.”

Bista had apparently gifted a pair of shoes to Gurung on his birthday.