Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Kurseong Witness Busy Nomination Day Ahead of Polls

KalimNews, April 5, 2026, Kalimpong: The political atmosphere in the Darjeeling hills intensified on Saturday as candidates from various parties filed their nominations for the upcoming assembly elections. So far, a total of five candidates in Darjeeling, six in Kurseong, and six in Kalimpong have officially entered the race. In Darjeeling, the nominees include Bijoy Kumar Rai of the BGPM, Noman Rai of the BJP, Madhap Rai of the Congress, Milan Thokar of the Rastriya Aam Jan Seva Party, and independent candidate Jatin Ghalay. In Kurseong, nominations were filed by Sonam Lama of the BJP, Amar Lama of the BGPM, Bandana Rai of the IGJF as an independent, and Sumendra Tamang, Mohan Sharma, and Prashant Lama, all independents. In Kalimpong, candidates include Ruden Sada Lepcha of the BGPM, Bharat Kumar Chhetri of the BJP, Santa Kumar Pradhan and Dilip Pradhan of the Congress, and Bhernone Britto Lepcha of IGJF and Nima Tshering Bhutia, as independents. IGJF leader Ajoy Edwards is expected to file his papers on April 6, the last date for nominations. As per the nomination staus of ECI double nomination is made by BJP candidates Bharat Kumar Chhetri and Sonam Lama.

The day witnessed a strong show of support for the candidates, particularly Noman Rai in Darjeeling, whose nomination was preceded by a large rally. Addressing the crowd, Bimal Gurung, president of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), described Darjeeling as a “challenge seat” and declared he would retire from politics if his party’s candidate failed to win. While the GJM is contesting Darjeeling independently, it has extended support to the BJP alliance in Kalimpong and Kurseong. Gurung also urged the BJP leadership to uphold the integrity of the alliance after the elections, warning that any political missteps could complicate the political landscape in the hills.

Noman Rai expressed confidence in victory but acknowledged the presence of some anti-BJP sentiment among voters. He said that despite dissatisfaction in certain areas, the alliance remained committed to addressing long-standing regional demands if elected. Meanwhile, Darjeeling MP Raju Bista campaigned in Kalimpong in support of BJP alliance candidate Bharat Chhetri. Speaking at a rally, Bista highlighted the region’s historical prominence as a hub of trade and education with strong links to Sikkim, Bhutan, and Tibet, but noted its decline in recent years due to shrinking trade, migration of students and youth, and the deteriorating condition of tea gardens and cinchona plantations.

Bista emphasised that the BJP alliance aims to revive the region by creating job opportunities, strengthening agriculture and floriculture, improving education, and developing infrastructure. He highlighted several central government-backed initiatives, including funding under AMRUT 2.0, the Har Ghar Jal scheme, and road projects under PMGSY, alongside major works like the Sevoke–Rangpo rail line and highway upgrades.

Promoting the slogan “development with respect,” Bista said that the people of Darjeeling seek economic progress while preserving their distinct Gorkha identity, culture, and language. He criticised the Trinamool Congress for neglecting hill-specific issues and assured that the BJP would focus on constitutional solutions, fair wages, land rights, and social security for workers in tea and cinchona plantations.

In another development, Bista announced that the BJP had secured an absolute majority in Pedong Gram Panchayat following the joining of Lakpa Bhutia from the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha. He described this as evidence of a broader political shift in Kalimpong, with voters increasingly favouring transparent and development-oriented leadership. With nominations complete, the elections in the Darjeeling hills are shaping up to be a crucial contest centred on development, identity, and political alliances.