From ‘Candle’ to ‘Torch’: BGPM Shows Strength Ahead of Hills Polls

Amitava Banerjee, MP, Darjeeling, April 2, 2026: Bouncing back from the earlier ‘candle’ symbol confusion, the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) made a strong comeback as its candidates filed nominations for the Kurseong and Kalimpong Assembly Constituencies on Wednesday, accompanied by massive rallies.

The BGPM has applied for the new “battery torch” symbol after the candle symbol did not feature in the Election Commission’s list. BGPM President Anit Thapa expressed confidence, stating, “The sea of people that have come out in support of the BGPM is truly a morale booster. We will win all three seats – Darjeeling, Kurseong, and Kalimpong.”

The party fielded Amar Lama, a lawyer, in Kurseong and Ruden Sada Lepcha, the sitting MLA, in Kalimpong. BGPM candidate Vijay Kumar Rai will file his nomination for the Darjeeling seat on April 2.

Thapa highlighted the importance of peace and continuity in the hills, urging supporters to avoid provocation during the polls. On the symbol change, he said, “The torch gives light and cannot be extinguished by wind or water,” emphasizing resilience and continuity.

In Kalimpong, a rally starting from Dambar Chowk to the SDO office saw large turnout in support of Lepcha, who expressed confidence of a sweep, asserting that neither the Bharatiya Janata Party nor its candidate Bharat Chettri posed a factor this time. In the 2021 Assembly elections, the BJP had won Darjeeling and Kurseong, while the BGPM retained Kalimpong.