GRC leadership to contest LS-elections from Darjeeling, Sikkim

EOI, Kurseong, 13 December 2013: The Gorkha Rashtriya Congress has decided to contest in the upcoming 2014 Lok Sabha election from the Darjeeling constituency. The party leadership announced that it will select and announce the name of their candidate on December 16 during a party meeting in Sikkim. 

Besides contesting the MP elections from Darjeeling constituency the party has also decided to contest in Sikkim for the Legislative Assembly election which will also be held in 2014. 

GRC president Nima Lama said the party has decided to contest in the Lok Sabha elections from Darjeeling constituency but the name of the candidate will be discussed and announced on December 16 in Gangtok. 

Lama added that all the party leaders are able and deserving but the party has presently considered the names of five to six of its representatives from the Darjeeling hills out of which one will be unanimously selected. Lama added the party’s main agenda is the merger of Sikkim & Darjeeling and since Darjeeling hills was formerly a part of Sikkim. 

Thus, the party has taken the decision to announce their candidate’s name in Sikkim. Further, the party also has its base in Sikkim and such announcement will boost the morale of its supporters. 

So far a few names are emerging as candidates for Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency include former vice-chancellor of Sikkim University Dr. Mahendra P Lama, who has already announced his candidature under the banner of an apolitical group Darjeeling Dooars United Development Forum. 

The other name doing the round is that of former captain of the Indian football team Bhaichung Bhutia, who could possibly contest on a TMC ticket from Darjeeling but has not been confirmed.