Mirik an exception to hill poll result trend

YAWAN GURUNG, EOI, MIRIK, JULY 12, 2023: The Mirik sub-division has proved to be an exception to the general trend in the panchayat poll result in the hills. Four of the six gram panchayats in Mirik have been won by the United Gorkha Alliance, with the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha being in the position to form in board in two gram panchayats. 

The panchayat samiti board in Mirik will be formed by the UGA, which has won 11 seats out of the total of 15. BGPM has won four seats in the panchayat samiti. The counting of votes in Mirik on Tuesday, too, was peaceful; like the day of polling on July 8. The results were, however, late in arriving; being finalized around midnight.

Among the victorious candidates are a number of educated youths; contesting as Independents with free symbols.

They said on Wednesday the people had cast their votes wisely, the panchayat would provide access to development in rural areas and take care of the problems and shortages.

While the BGPM, the ruling party in the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, accepted the people’s verdict after getting less than satisfactory result, BJP leader Rajen Mukhia said it was a victory for the people. 

A united opposition had been the source of strength. “We have taken over the Mirik Panchayat Samiti board, and the parties of the UGA would sit down and decide who should be the chairman and who the vice-chairman."