While the BJP, in alliance with Bimal Gurung-led Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), has strengthened its organisational presence in the region, the Trinamool Congress continues to rely on its hill ally Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) of Anit Thapa. The BJP won Darjeeling and Kurseong in 2021, while the BGPM got Kalimpong.
Seat-sharing dynamics underlined contrasting strategies. The Trinamool has ceded Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong to the BGPM, while the BJP has opted for a different approach to assert its presence in these constituencies.
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Former Indian hockey captain Bharat Chettri is the BJP-GJM candidate for Kalimpong. The GJM has selected a new face, its youth wing president Noman Rai, for the Darjeeling seat, while BJP’s Sonam Lama is the Kurseong candidate. All three, who are fresh faces, will fight the election on the BJP symbol.
The third emerging force in this region is the Indian Gorakha Janshakti Force (IGJF), founded recently by local Gorakha leader Ajoy Edwards. While Edwards is contesting from Darjeeling, he has fielded party’s candidates from the remaining two hill seats.
“He troubles both major alliances. The IGJF enjoys good support among youths,” Bittu, who works at a hotel in Darjeeling, told ET.Politics in this hill region continues to revolve around the demand for a Gorkhaland state. “I was present at the meeting with BJP leaders in New Delhi in 2009. BJP had assured Bimal Gurung a ‘permanent solution’ to our demands. Voters still hope the BJP will do justice with them,” former Kalimpong MLA HB Chhetri said.Also Read: West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026: Congress manifesto promises free education, Rs 10 lakh health cover for all families
“The BJP is committed to ensuring a constitutional solution for the region that respects and recognises their (local population’s) identity and aspirations,” Darjeeling MP Raju Bista said.”
Regional forces no longer have absolute control on the region. The Gorkha National Liberation Front’s political grip as weakened. “This is a small region. Politics has become expensive, and regional forces depend on their big allies for resources,” former Kalimpong MLA Harka Bahadur Chettri said.
