Election Fever in the Hills: A Close Look at the Kalimpong Constituency

KalimNews, Kalimpong, April 20, 2026 : The election atmosphere in the Kalimpong constituency is vibrant, intense, and fully charged, with political activity reaching every corner of the region. Supporters and cadres of various political parties are actively campaigning with great enthusiasm, visiting neighborhoods, marketplaces, and remote areas, and engaging with people from all walks of life—cutting across party lines, professions, and communities. Notably, interactions are no longer confined within party boundaries, as candidates and their teams are also reaching out to individuals associated with rival camps, reflecting a highly dynamic and competitive political environment.

Amid this heightened activity, political shifts have become a common and almost daily occurrence. Individuals are frequently switching allegiances, and parties are publicly showcasing such inductions as a demonstration of growing strength. Rallies, roadshows, and public gatherings are being organized across the constituency, each aiming to display numerical superiority and grassroots support. However, the visible crowd strength across parties has made it increasingly difficult to accurately assess which political force currently holds a decisive advantage.

In this evolving scenario, one of the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) candidate Ruden Sada Lepcha, appears to have taken an early lead in the race for the lone MLA seat in Kalimpong. The party strategically began its campaign well before the formal commencement of the election process, giving it a head start over its competitors. BGPM’s organizational base is widely considered to be stronger than that of other parties in the region. Its control over key administrative institutions such as the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), along with Panchayats and municipal bodies, provides it with considerable influence at the grassroots level. Furthermore, its alliance with the ruling state party, the All India Trinamool Congress (AITMC), adds to its political advantage. Despite these strengths, BGPM is also facing the challenge of anti-incumbency, as sections of the electorate express dissatisfaction over unmet expectations and governance issues and allegations of corruption.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is the ruling party at the national level, remains another major contender in the constituency. Although it holds the Darjeeling parliamentary seat, its organizational structure in the hill region is relatively weak compared to its rivals. In Kalimpong, the party has fielded Bharat Kumar Chhetri, a former Olympian and national hockey captain, as its candidate. His entry into politics is recent, and his nomination came as a surprise to many, especially given the presence of several other aspirants within the BJP and its ally, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM). While BJP is supported by regional allies such as the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF), Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxists (CPRM), and Gorkha Rashtriya Nirman Morcha (GRNM), their support bases are relatively limited. Even within GJM, signs of internal dissatisfaction have emerged, with some leaders reportedly extending support to other political formations, including the Indian Gorkha Janshakti Front (IGJF) led by Ajoy Lucas Edwards. Facing a challenging contest, BJP has intensified its efforts, bringing Chief Ministers and prominent central leaders to campaign both in West Bengal and in the hill regions in an attempt to consolidate support.

The electoral field is further crowded by several other candidates, adding layers of complexity to the contest. Among them are Rita Thapa from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM), Santa Kumar Pradhan from the Indian National Congress (INC), Sishir Kumar Sharma from the Akhil Bharatiya Gorkha League (ABGL), independent candidate Aldrin Lepcha, and IGJF’s newcomer Bhernone Britto Lepcha. Despite the presence of multiple candidates, the contest in Kalimpong is largely shaping into a triangular battle among Ruden Sada Lepcha, Bharat Kumar Chhetri, and Bhernone Britto Lepcha.

Parallel electoral contests are unfolding in other Hill Assembly Constituencies. BGPM has fielded veteran leader Amar Lama, while BJP’s candidate Sonam Lama has faced opposition from within the party itself, with dissatisfaction also expressed by sections of GJM. IGJF has nominated Bandana Rai, setting the stage for another triangular contest. In Darjeeling, BJP’s candidate Noman Rai from GJM is contesting against BGPM’s newcomer Bijay Kumar Rai and IGJF’s Ajoy Lucas Edwards, alongside other candidates including Madhap Rai of INC, Milan Thokar, and independent Jatin Ghalay, the first three facing each other for triangular contest.

As the countdown to the election day on April 23 draws closer, campaigning has intensified across all parties, each striving to maximize outreach and consolidate its voter base. While BGPM appears to be ahead in terms of organization and early momentum, every party—whether long-established or newly formed—retains its own base of support, either traditional or emerging. However, a key factor that is likely to influence the outcome of this election is the growing trend of negative voting. 

A significant number of voters appear dissatisfied with their preferred parties or leaders, largely due to unfulfilled promises and lingering grievances. Yet, rather than voting out of strong support, many are choosing candidates primarily to oppose others. In essence, a voter may choose one of the candidate of his dislike mainly because they dislike or oppose candidate of his party, not because they strongly support him. This reflects elements of protest voting, where individuals express dissatisfaction rather than genuine endorsement, as well as tactical voting, in which voters select the candidate most likely to defeat an undesirable opponent. It also overlaps with anti-incumbent sentiment. This emerging pattern of negative voting could ultimately play a decisive role in shaping the electoral outcome, as the silent and dissatisfied electorate may hold the key to determining who emerges victorious in this closely contested political battle.