GTA polls TMC fields Binoy, 9 others

SNS, SILIGURI, 29 MAY 2022: The Trinamul Congress today announced former Morcha leader Binoy Tamang as one of its 10 candidates who would contest the upcoming Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) elections. As he announced that the party would field only 10 candidates for the 45-seat GTA, youth affairs and sports minister Aroop Biswas appealed to all political parties to join the "development spree" of Chief Mlinister Mamata Banerjee-led state government.

Mr Tamang who had left the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha and joined the Trinamul congress a few months ago, will contest the polls in constituency number 4, Mr Biswas said in Siliguri.

When asked, Mr Biswas refused to say if the party would go for seat-sharing adjustment with Hill parties

"We have just announced the names of the candidates as the party has decided to field them in 10 seats," Mr Biswas said.

The GTA elections are scheduled for 26 June, along with the three-tier rural polls for the Siliguri Subdivision the same day.

Asked about GJMM president Bimal Gurung's hunger strike and BJP leaders, including Union minister of state for minority affairs John Barla and Darjeeling MP Raju Bista meeting him, Mr Biswas said Miss Banerjee had been taking several steps for the development of the Hills.

"With her relentless efforts, peace has prevailed, and a lot of development has taken place in the Hills. Everyone should join the development-oriented spree," Mr Biswas said.

The GTA has 50 members, five of whom are nominated by the government.. The elections will be held for the remaining 45 segments.

Pasang Tshering Bhutia (constituency 7), Deven Rai (constituency 8), Dinesh Gurung (constituency 10), Nar Bahadur Khawas (constituency 17), Dhruba Bomjan (constituency 23), Nilesh Rai (constituency 24), Parvareesh Tirkey (constituency 26), Suman Gurung (constituency 35) and Rinzing Bhutia (constituency 36) are the other TMC. candidates for the polls.