A Day of Momentum in Kalimpong: Ruden Sada Lepcha Steps Forward Again, files nomination

KalimNews, April 1, 2026, Kalimpong :  The political atmosphere in Kalimpong took a decisive turn as Ruden Sada Lepcha of the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) became the first candidate to file his nomination for the 22 Kalimpong Assembly Constituency in the upcoming 2026 West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections. Contesting the seat for the second time, Lepcha’s entry into the race was marked not just by formality, but by a powerful public show of support that set the tone for the days ahead.

The morning unfolded with energy and anticipation. By around 11:45 AM, a sea of supporters had gathered at the party office, their enthusiasm unmistakable. What followed was not just a march, but a vibrant procession filled with music, cultural instruments, and a festive spirit. Moving along the main road through Thana Dara, the crowd accompanied Lepcha all the way to the Kalimpong Sub-Divisional Office—the office of the Returning Officer—turning the nomination filing into a moment of political theatre and public connection. At 52, and a resident of Lolay in Kalimpong, Lepcha appeared visibly confident, strengthened by the overwhelming turnout and the energy of his supporters.

As he filed his nomination, Lepcha spoke with certainty about his prospects. He expressed firm belief that victory was within reach and stated that he expected to win by a larger margin than in the 2021 elections. In his assessment of the competition, he dismissed concerns about his immediate rivals. Referring to Bharat Chettri—a former captain of the India national field hockey team and now the candidate of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)—Lepcha asserted that he posed no real challenge. He made a similar remark about Bhernone Britto Lepcha of IGJF, maintaining that the contest was firmly in his favor.

After nearly 45 minutes spent completing the nomination process, Lepcha addressed the media with pointed remarks. He said, “The BJP has been misleading the Gorkha people for the past 20 years and has failed to fulfill any of their demands, ignoring their concerns.” His tone sharpened further as he added, “In this election, the people of the hills will give a strong response to BJP’s politics of falsehood.”

The day also marked the official beginning of the nomination process for the 18th Assembly elections in Kalimpong district, with polling scheduled for April 23, 2026. BGPM, by filing first, signaled its readiness and intent to take an early lead in the electoral race.

Looking back, the shadow of the 2021 election still looms large over the current contest. In that election, Lepcha had contested in the ticket of Anit Thapa group of GJM (presently BGPM) as an independent candidate supported by the All India Trinamool Congress (AITMC), securing 58,206 votes—37.59% of the total. He narrowly won by just 3,870 votes (2.5%) to Suva Pradhan of the BJP, who secured 54,336 votes (35.09%). The contest had been multi-cornered, with Dr. Ram Bahadur Bhujel, backed by the Bimal Gurung group of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), receiving 31,856 votes (20.57%). Other candidates included Penju Gompu Bhutia of the National People’s Party, Dilip Pradhan of the INC, and independents Songden Lepcha, Ujjwal Rai, and Bhupendra Lepcha. Out of the eight candidates, five lost their security deposits for failing to cross the 16.67% threshold, with the highest among them receiving only 1.17% (1,805 votes). The constituency had 2,11,896 registered voters, with 1,54,863 votes cast, reflecting a turnout of 73.08%. NOTA accounted for 2,160 votes, or 1.39%.

Beyond Kalimpong, the political patterns of neighboring constituencies also offer context. In Darjeeling, Niraj Tamang Zimba, contesting on a BJP ticket, secured 68,907 votes (40.88%), while Keshav Raj Sharma of Anit Thapa group of GJM obtained 47,631 votes (28.26%), and Pemba Tshering of GJM garnered 38,240 votes (22.68%). In Kurseong, Bishnu Prasad Sharma Bajgainof BJP  led with 73,475 votes (41.86%), followed by Tshering Lama of Anit Thapa group of GJM with 57,960 votes (33.02%), and Narbu Lama with 33,094 votes (18.85%).

In the months leading up to this moment, Lepcha had been actively campaigning for nearly three months, reaching out to people across all sections of society. From workers to differently-abled individuals, from teachers and lawyers to businesspersons and athletes, from students and youth to senior citizens and women—his outreach was broad and persistent. People have been gathering in large numbers to meet him, whether at his residence or during his visits across the constituency. Presenting himself as a self-made businessman, Lepcha often highlights his journey from humble beginnings to significant financial success. He stated, “I multiplied my business and also motivated youngsters and small businessmen to increase their business and have successfully helped them to become new billionaires.”

At the same time, his campaign has not been without criticism. Some voices in the constituency argue that his developmental work has focused more on rural areas than the town. Lepcha counters this by stating that, on several occasions, his development projects were not supported and instead faced objections from anti-BGPM groups, which ultimately forced him to withdraw or halt those initiatives. He also pointed out that despite these challenges, he has inaugurated more than 43 infrastructure projects, including roads, community halls, schools, and hospitals, and has laid the foundation stones for several others. 

Lepcha reiterated that the BGPM party has played a crucial role in restoring peace and democratic functioning in the Darjeeling Hills. He emphasized that one of the most significant achievements of the BGPM has been the revival of the Panchayat system of governance after a prolonged gap of approximately 23 years. According to him, this restoration has paved the way for more structured and inclusive development through both municipal bodies and grassroots-level institutions.

The return of Panchayat elections to the Darjeeling Hills in July 2023 marked a historic moment, for the first time since 2000, a two-tier electoral system—comprising the Gram Panchayat and Panchayat Samiti—was successfully conducted. This development signaled a renewed commitment to decentralized governance and local participation in decision-making processes.

Addressing young people and students, he explained the constraints he encountered, saying, “Unless I get a good mandate with good majority I cannot work for the development that I have in my mind.” He further added, “I always think for the development of the Kalimpong town. But public non-cooperation and objections raised by different political parties have discouraged and stopped the plans to proceed further.” He cited the example of a proposed multi-structure parking project at Sahid Mark in 11th Mile, which had to be shelved due to public objections linked to the emotional significance of the site for families of Gorkhaland martyrs.

Meanwhile, BGPM has sharpened its criticism of the BJP, urging voters not to support the party. According to BGPM, since 2014, the BJP has faced public opposition due to rising inflation, unemployment, increasing privatization, and alleged restrictions on media freedom, religious freedom, and freedom of speech. The party claims that farmers and economically weaker sections have been particularly affected.

The contest this time is also shaped by shifting alliances and new dynamics. Bharat Chettri, though a newcomer to politics, brings public recognition as an Olympian and former Indian hockey captain who runs a hockey academy in Kalimpong. His candidacy is further strengthened by the support of GJMM. On the other side, Bhernone Britto Lepcha, a former senior government officer representing IGJF (formerly Hamro Party), and Santa Kumar Pradhan of the INC, add further layers to the contest.

Political observers note that while BGPM’s support base has grown compared to two months ago—and certainly since 2021—the combined strength of BJP and GJMM could present a formidable challenge. At the same time, both parties are believed to have lost some individual ground since the last election. IGJF, meanwhile, is expected to improve its vote share, potentially drawing support from disillusioned voters of BJP or GJMM. 

Torch light is the new poll symbol granted to BGPM this year by the ECI.  

With 23 days remaining until polling on April 23, much will depend on how effectively each party campaigns and connects with voters. The ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, which has seen some voter names deleted and others placed under adjudication, has added another layer of complexity. While this situation is seen as potentially advantageous for BGPM, the BJP is actively working to counter its impact.

As Kalimpong moves closer to election day, the story unfolding is not just about candidates and numbers, but about shifting loyalties, public sentiment, and the aspirations of a region ready to make its voice heard once again