Newcomer in politics takes on GJM heavyweight P. T. Ola in civic poll

EOI CORRESPONDENT DARJEELING, FEBRUARY 22, 2022:  At 25 years of age, Kunsang Choden Moktan is the youngest candidate to contest in the Darjeeling municipality election; realizing her long harboured dream to plunge into mainstream hill politics. 

Pursuing MA in History, Moktan will contest from ward 19 as a candidate for the Gorkha National Liberation Front. Moktan has a political lineage to match her ambition to join politics. 

Her grandfather and father, who is no more, were all staunch GNLF supporters. In fact, Moktan's grandmother and mother continue to support the GNLF, despite the recent political upheavals witnessed in the hills. 

Moktan's idol remains Subash Ghisingh who founded the party in the 1980s to struggle for a separate Gorkhaland state. “I adored Ghisingh right from my childhood. I have also taken a photo with him when I was small which I have kept as a memoir. The party flag gave me a sense of pride. I wanted to emulate Ghisingh and was always keen to join politics," she said. 

In her very first outing, the youngster will have a face-off with heavyweight candidate P. T. Ola of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha who is seeking a second stint as the civic body chairman. 

The Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha and the newly formed Hamro Party have also fielded candidates. Moktan, though, is not fazed by her adversary; asserting her age was an advantage. 

"In politics anything can happen. Besides, because of my age citizens will feel easier to approach me. During my campaign trail citizens have treated me well, being the youngest," she said. Moktan is keen to make a difference to society through politics and advised youngsters to participate. 

"There is a perception that politics is dirty and that one should refrain from it. However, if the youths do not come forward, how will we bring about a change. Politics is related with our future and through it we will be able to better our community," she said. 

Moktan's grandmother, Bina, who was a senior member of Gorkha National Women Organisation, the women’s wing of the GNLF, is filled with pride to have her grandchild contesting the election. 

"Like her father, my grandchild always had ambition to join politics. She is dedicated to the party. It is a moment of pride for our family to have our child contesting the election. We will always support her political endeavours," she said. 

The February 17 poll will see 148 candidates contesting which include 71 women contestants, a record in the history of elections in the hills.