Major Political Realignment in Darjeeling Hills: 11 GTA Sabhasads, Around 700 BGPM Leaders and Supporters Join BJP

KalimNews, July 4, 2026, Kalimpong: The political landscape of the Darjeeling and Kalimpong hills witnessed a major development as eleven elected Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) Sabhasads, who had earlier resigned from the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM), formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Although they have left the BGPM, they continue to serve as elected GTA Sabhasads, having not resigned from their elected positions. Sabhasads Mani Prasad Rai and Nuru Sherpa had once had declared that they have resigned from the post of Sabhasad of GTA Sabha.

The eleven GTA Sabhasads inducted into the BJP are Ratan Thapa, Lakpa Namgayl Bhutia, Sandeep Chettri, Nuri Sherpa, Suman Gurung, Birey Rai, Senora Namchu, Mani Prasad Rai, Kumar Sharma, Kamal Subba, and Dhendup Pakhrin.

The leaders who resigned from the BGPM included Uday Dewan of Sukhiapokhari–Maneybhanjyang, Rajesh Chauhan of Rangbull-Dhotaria, Lakpa Namgay Bhutia of Rongo-Todey-Jaldhaka, Kamal Subba of Pedong, Milesh Rai of Mirik-Turbo-Duptin, Senora Namchu of Chibo-Tashiding, Mani Prasad Rai of Takling-Peshok, Nuri Sherpa of Tung-St. Mary’s, Bikash Rai of Homes-Bhalukhop, Dawa Tenji Sherpa of Algarah-Dalapchand, Kumar Sharma of Lava-Lingsay, and Paresh Tirki of Sukna-Panighatta.

Earlier, several BGPM leaders, including Anit Thapa, then Chief Executive of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), Sanchabir Subba, then Deputy Chief Executive, and GTA Sabha Chairman Anjul Chauhan, along with Sabhasads Shyam Sherpa, Satish Pokhrel, Hemant Rai, Norden Sherpa, Pramoskar Blone, Dhruwa Bomjan, and others, had resigned from their positions as GTA Sabhasads.

The induction ceremony was held in Kalimpong in the presence of Kalimpong MLA Bharat Chhetri and BJP Darjeeling District President Sanjiv Lama, who welcomed the new members with traditional khadas. Several BJP district and mandal-level leaders were also present during the programme.

The event marked more than just the induction of elected GTA representatives. Around 700 BGPM leaders and supporters from Jaldhaka, Todey, Tangta, Rongo, Kalimpong, and nearby areas also joined the BJP, making it one of the largest political induction programmes witnessed in the hills in recent years.

Explaining their decision, the newly inducted GTA members said they had joined the BJP with the objective of promoting inclusive development, ensuring transparent and people-centric governance, and working towards a permanent political solution to the long-standing Gorkhaland issue. They expressed confidence that better coordination between the Central and State governments under the BJP's leadership would help address the aspirations and concerns of the people of the hills more effectively.

The political shift has extended beyond the GTA as well. A significant number of former BGPM Gram Panchayat and Panchayat Samiti members had already joined the BJP over the past few months. According to party leaders, the BJP now commands a majority in several Gram Panchayat and Panchayat Samiti boards across the region. Many other former BGPM leaders and workers have also changed political allegiance, with most joining the BJP while some have joined the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM).

Speaking to reporters, BJP Darjeeling District Vice-President Shubh Pradhan said that elected representatives and political workers from different parties had been approaching the BJP continuously in recent months. He stated that the special induction programme was organised in response to this growing support for the party.

He further said that the Darjeeling hills were witnessing a new political momentum and expressed confidence that more elected representatives, political leaders, and grassroots workers would join the BJP in the days ahead.

The simultaneous induction of eleven elected GTA Sabhasads, together with hundreds of political leaders and supporters, is being viewed as a significant political development in the Darjeeling hills. Political observers believe the development could have a considerable impact on the region's political dynamics, potentially weakening the organisational strength of the BGPM while influencing future political alignments across the hills.

The latest developments underline the rapidly evolving political scenario in the Darjeeling hills, where shifting alliances and changing public support are expected to shape the course of regional politics in the months ahead.