108 candidates of political parties in fray in GTA election, BGPM -Trinamool in tacit understanding

EOI | DARJEELING, JUNE 5, 2022: Only one nomination for the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration election has been cancelled by the returning officer after the process of scrutiny, that of an independent candidate.

The independent candidate is Dinesh Theeng who had filed his nomination papers to contest from the Tukvar constituency in Darjeeling. 

Theeng owes allegiance to the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha but had filed nomination as an independent after the BGPM giving the nomination to another candidate. In all 318 candidates have filed their nomination to contest from the 45 seats of the GTA Sabha. And interestingly, 210 of them are from the "Other" (Independent) category, while 108 candidates are representing political parties.

The Trinamool Congress has fielded candidates from 10 seats, the Congress five, the CPI(M) 12, the BGPM 35 and the Hamro Party 45.The list of candidates indicates a tacit understanding between Trinamool Congress and BGPM, though neither of the parties is formally declaring that. The BGPM is understood to have fielded independents in the 10 seats where it has not fielded candidates. 

Trinamool Congress candidates are contesting in these seats. The District Election Officer said:" After the scrutiny, the nomination of only one independent candidate was cancelled."

On Monday, the candidates will be handed their symbols to contest the election. The same day candidates will also be able to withdraw their nominations. The BJP and its allies, the Gorkha National Liberation Front, Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxist and the All India Gorkha League have decided not to contest the elections, arguing that the GTA was unconstitutional and a rejected body.

The GNLF has filed a petition before the Calcutta High Court challenging the constitutionality of the GTA and the nomination of the District Magistrate of Darjeeling as the Election Officer by the State Government. 

The first hearing will be held on June 21.The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha which is an ally of the Trinamool Congress too has decided not to participate in the GTA polls. The party has demanded that the State Government first implement all the provisions of the GTA agreement in letter and spirit.

GJM president Bimal Gurung had gone on a 104-hour-long hunger strike demanding suspension of the GTA election but called it off on the request of BJP leaders who visited him during his agitation. According to party leaders, Gurung, who is undergoing treatment in Sikkim, had been advised by doctors to take medical help because of his acute health problems. The GTA polls are scheduled to be be conducted on June 26 and the results are due to be declared on June 29.