West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to Attend Gorkha Janmukti Morcha Foundation Day in Darjeeling, Followed by Malda Flood Review

KalimNews, Oct 6, 2026, Kalimpong: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari is scheduled to embark on a two-day official visit to North Bengal beginning Wednesday, 7 October 2026. The high-profile tour commences in Darjeeling, where he will attend the foundation day celebrations of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) as the principal speaker, marking a significant political outreach to the hills before he proceeds to flood-affected areas of Malda district on Thursday. 

In addition, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) is also likely to attend the commemorative event in Darjeeling, significantly elevating the regional prominence of the assembly.

According to the official itinerary, the Chief Minister will arrive via flight at Bagdogra Airport on Wednesday morning before taking a helicopter to the Army helipad at Lebong in Darjeeling. From Lebong, his convoy will travel by road to North Point School ground (St Joseph's), where the GJM is holding its central foundation day rally. Adhikari 

The visit materialised following formal representations from GJM president Bimal Gurung and general secretary Roshan Giri, who met Adhikari in Kolkata during September at the Public Works Department ground tent. During that preliminary dialogue, hill leadership discussed regional governance, socio-economic development, and extended an invitation for the foundation day gathering. 

Gurung had also interacted with the Chief Minister during the latter's previous visit to north Bengal for the World Rhino Day observance in Alipurduar. Although logistical confirmation remained tentative earlier in the day pending potential central party commitments, state administrative machinery finalised security arrangements and carried out advance inspections at the venue after 3 pm on Tuesday. Ahead of the tour, State Transport Minister Arjun Singh also visited the hills to assess administrative preparedness.

Established on 7 October 2007, the GJM spearheaded the statehood movement for Gorkhaland and emerged as a primary regional political force. Currently allied with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the outfit actively backed the Bharatiya Janata Party in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, contributing to decisive victories across all three hill constituencies—Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Kurseong.

Against the backdrop of the political realignment in the state, the visit carries considerable significance. With the festive season approaching, regional observers anticipate potential policy pronouncements or developmental roadmaps addressing long-pending aspirations. Discussions remain centred around a permanent political solution extending across the Darjeeling hills, Terai, and Dooars beyond the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), following a recent high-level tripartite review involving Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Minister Adhikari, and hill leaders Bimal Gurung, Roshan Giri, and Ajoy Edwards.

On Thursday, 8 October, Adhikari will travel to Malda district to assess severe erosion along the Ganga and Fulhar rivers spanning five blocks, alongside recent flooding on Bhutni Island. Malda District Magistrate Rajanvir Singh Kapoor convened an administrative review on Tuesday to coordinate arrangements in Manikchak, where the Chief Minister is expected to land via helicopter, review relief distribution, interact directly with affected families, and address the local public.