WBLA Election 2026: Tight Race in Darjeeling, BJP Leads in Kurseong as Counting Continues

KalimNews, May 4, 2026 :Darjeeling/Kurseong,: Counting for the 2026 West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections is still underway in the hill constituencies of Darjeeling and Kurseong, with neither seat officially declared at the time of reporting.

In Darjeeling Assembly Constituency, the contest remains highly competitive with lead changes reported during different counting rounds. Earlier trends showed Noman Rai of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead with 37,280 votes, leading by 1,906 votes over Bijoy Kumar Rai of the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM), who had 35,374 votes. Independent candidate Ajoy Lucas Edwards was in third position with 28,582 votes.

However, subsequent official updates indicated a reversal, with Bijoy Kumar Rai (BGPM) moving ahead by a narrow margin, underscoring the volatility of the Darjeeling contest as more counting rounds remain.

Other candidates in Darjeeling include:

• Jatin Ghalay (Independent) – 1,060 votes
• Madhap Rai (Indian National Congress) – 976 votes
• Milan Thokar (Rastriya Aam Jan Seva Party) – 814 votes
• and NOTA – 1,267 votes

In Kurseong Assembly Constituency, Sonam Lama of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is currently leading with 13,154 votes, maintaining a margin of 658 votes over Amar Lama of the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM), who has secured 12,496 votes.

Independent candidate Bandana Rai is in third place with 11,026 votes, remaining within striking distance if later rounds shift momentum.

NOTA – 423 votes and other candidates in Kurseong are trailing significantly:

• Uttam Brahman (CPI-M) – 375 votes
• Mohan Sharma (Independent) – 338 votes
• Sumendra Tamang (Independent) – 333 votes
• Saroj Kumar Khattri (Indian National Congress) – 309 votes

With multiple rounds still left in both constituencies, election officials have not declared final winners. The hill seats continue to witness close triangular and bipolar contests, with BJP and BGPM emerging as principal contenders.

Results remain subject to change until completion of all counting rounds and official declaration by the Election Commission.