Amit Shah Skips Darjeeling Rally Amid Weather Disruption; Gangarampur Campaign Sees Low Turnout

MP, April 16, 2026, Darjeeling/Balurghat: BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah was unable to attend his scheduled rally in Darjeeling on Wednesday, while a visibly thin turnout at his election campaign in Gangarampur, South Dinajpur on Tuesday has left the saffron party disappointed.

Shah was scheduled to campaign for three BJP hill candidates at Lebong Ground in Darjeeling on Wednesday. Elaborate arrangements were made and supporters arrived from various parts of the Hills.

“The Union Home Minister Amit Shah could not attend owing to inclement weather in Darjeeling. His helicopter could not land,” claimed Raju Bista, MP, Darjeeling.

Shah, however, addressed the gathering virtually from Malda. He stated that the BJP would definitely form the government in West Bengal.

“As soon as we come to power, we will withdraw thousands of cases clamped on the Gorkhas in the Darjeeling Hills and end the police raj. We will also give priority to ending the Gorkha impasse,” Shah stated, alleging that Mamata Banerjee is not interested in resolving the issue.

“As the Union Home Minister, I had called three meetings in Delhi on the Gorkha issue in the past one and a half years. Didi did not attend, nor did she send any state government representative. We then appointed an interlocutor who met all stakeholders. He tried to talk to the state government. They did not give him time. But don’t worry, after May 5, when we come to power in Bengal, we will give priority to resolving the Gorkha issue under the framework of the Indian Constitution,” he added.

He also said that he will address party supporters on April 21 in the foothills of Sukna, where he will outline the development roadmap for the Hills and make important announcements.

Meanwhile, expectations of a large crowd at Amit Shah’s rally in Gangarampur’s Gachihar on Tuesday afternoon fell flat, as a visibly thin turnout left BJP leaders and workers disappointed.

According to local sources, empty chairs at the start of the rally created unease among party leaders, and the situation reportedly escalated into a heated exchange between BJP candidate Satyendranath Roy and local leaders.

Acknowledging the incident later, Roy said, “Such moments of tension can lead to disagreements. However, the crowd did increase as the rally progressed.”

His claim, however, found little support among small traders who had set up roadside stalls expecting brisk business.