BJP Takes Commanding Lead in Kalimpong Counting Battle, Wins Seat as State Trends Signal Historic Shift

KalimNews, May 4, 2026, Kalimpong : The counting battle in the Kalimpong Assembly Constituency during the 2026 West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections has been decisively settled in favor of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with candidate Bharat Kumar Chhetri emerging victorious after the final round of counting.

According to figures from the last stage, Bharat Kumar Chhetri (BJP) polled 84,290 votes, establishing a clear lead over his nearest challenger, Ruden Sada Lepcha of the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM), who secured 62,826 votes, trailing by 21,464 votes.

Other candidates in the fray remained far behind. Independent candidate Bhernone Britto Lepcha garnered 14,231 votes, while Sisir Kumar Sharma of the Akhil Bharatiya Gorkha League (ABGL) stood at 1,961 votes. Santa Kumar Pradhan from the Indian National Congress (INC) received 1,809 votes, and another Independent candidate, Aldrin Lepcha, polled 1,389 votes.

Meanwhile, Rita Thapa of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) secured 911 votes, while the NOTA (None of the Above) option attracted 2,060 votes.

With a substantial lead established early in the counting process, momentum consistently favored the BJP. As counting progressed through the final rounds, this advantage held firm, and the process has now officially concluded with Bharat Kumar Chhetri declared the winner. He has been awarded the certificate and will serve as a Member of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly for the next five years.

This constituency result comes amid a sweeping performance by the BJP across West Bengal. The party is leading in over 200 seats, placing it well ahead of the ruling All India Trinamool Congress (AITMC), headed by Mamata Banerjee. The BJP is now heading toward forming the government in the state for the first time in its history.

This outcome marks a monumental political shift—both in terms of the weakening of a long-standing opposition bastion and the electorate’s response to the BJP’s wide-ranging campaign promises. From proposals such as a law against “love jihad” to assurances of citizenship for Hindu refugees, along with various welfare payouts, the party’s agenda appears to have resonated with a broad section of voters.

According to the latest statewide trends, the BJP has won 61 seats and is leading in 143 seats, while the AITMC has won 26 seats and is leading in 57 seats.

As final results continue to consolidate, West Bengal appears to be on the brink of a historic political transition, with far-reaching implications for the state’s future electoral landscape after a period of 15 years.