Bista meets Bimal Gurung at Singmari

DARJEELING,:  Amidst conjecture regarding the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha’s stance in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Raju Bista, the BJP candidate for Darjeeling, met GJM president Bimal Gurung at the Morcha’s party office in Singamari today.

While Gurung refrained from divulging the party’s decision regarding the polls, Darjeeling MP Bista expressed confidence in securing the support of the Morcha.

Addressing media after the meeting, Bimal Gurung stated, “Bista came to inform me about his candidacy in the upcoming MP elections. Like him, Kurseong MLA B.P. Bajgain, who is contesting as an independent candidate, had also come to meet me a few days back and so did Hamro Party leader Ajoy Edwards. As the guardian of this region, many leaders often visit me and seek my counsel on election matters. I welcome them and offer my blessings,” said Gurung, adding that a final decision regarding the party’s participation in the elections would be made after a meeting scheduled for tomorrow.

He reiterated that his party would file nomination on April 3, while maintaining ambiguity about whether the GJM would field its candidate or extend support to another contender. Incidentally, Bista today said that he would be filing his nominations on April 3.

When asked about his meeting with Gurung today, Bista reiterated his longstanding relationship with Bimal Gurung. “I had come to meet Bimal Gurung today as he is the reason I got into politics in 2019. In the middle, the situation was such that the BJP and the Morcha remained apart but still I had my personal relationship with him. So being a younger brother, it is my duty that I come and meet him.”

Bista expressed hope that Gurung would once again align with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), stating that the decision to support his candidacy rested with Gurung.  

Bista added that if Bimal Gurung supported him again, he would win with a better margin than last time.

When asked about the unfulfilled promises in 2019 manifesto, Bista reassured supporters that he remained committed to addressing the concerns of the Gorkha community and expressed confidence in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assurances regarding a resolution for their grievances.    

 “I know what is going on internally. If a solution had been reached within 2024, then I would not have contested, as I cannot leave in the middle without getting any result. A solution for our demand is only possible by staying in politics,” he said.