Tuesday, May 05, 2026 22:15 [IST]
Last Update: Monday, May 04, 2026 16:43 [IST]
DARJEELING,: The electoral outcome in the three hill Assembly seats mirrored the State-wide trend in West Bengal, with the BJP securing victory in all three constituencies.
BJP candidates Noman Rai, Sonam Lama and Bharat Kumar Chettri won from Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong, respectively. Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) candidates, considered the main challengers, finished second in all three seats.
In Darjeeling, of the total 1,73,807 votes cast, Noman Rai secured 62,076 votes, winning by a margin of 6,057. BGPM candidate Bijoy Kumar Rai polled 56,019 votes. Indian Gorkha Janshakti Front (IGJF) president Ajoy Edwards, considered one of the frontrunners, garnered 48,635 votes. There were six candidates in the fray.
In Kalimpong, where early counting trends indicated a clear winner, BJP candidate and former Indian hockey team captain Bharat Kumar Chettri secured 84,290 votes out of a total of 1,69,477 votes cast. BGPM’s incumbent MLA Ruden Sada Lepcha came second with 62,826 votes, trailing by 21,464 votes. The IGJF-backed candidate, Bhernone Britto Lepcha, received 14,231 votes. A total of seven candidates contested the seat.
In Kurseong, where counting was delayed, BJP candidate Sonam Lama polled 74,878 votes, winning by a margin of 17,007 votes. BGPM candidate Amar Lama secured 57,871 votes, while IGJF-backed candidate Bandana Rai received 41,088 votes. The total vote cast was 1,81,833, with seven candidates in the fray.
Celebrations by BJP and its allies were witnessed across the hills, with rallies raising slogans of “Jai Shri Ram” and “Jai Gorkha” in several areas. Firecrackers were also burst.
Jubilant supporters gathered at party offices of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) and the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF), both BJP allies. Waving party flags, they were seen dancing, singing and smearing ‘abhir’ (coloured powder) on each other. In Darjeeling, the BJP had fielded a Morcha leader as its candidate this time.
GJM president Bimal Gurung said, “The key highlight of this election is the significant shift in governance in West Bengal after 15 years. People in the Hills, Terai and Dooars have voted against police atrocities and rampant corruption.”
Gurung added that the BJP would fulfil its promises, including a “political solution” for the Hills, as recently reiterated by Home Minister Amit Shah during his visit to Sukna.
Darjeeling MP Raju Bista, speaking in Kurseong, said, “I am very emotional and pleased by the results. I dedicate this victory to the families of those who sacrificed their lives and to the people of West Bengal. This is a victory of truth, and people have shown their trust in the leadership of Modi.”
He added that the party would work towards development in the Hills and ensure a corruption-free administration. Bista also said the region should move beyond bodies like the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA).
Reacting to the defeat, BGPM president Anit Thapa said, “The results show that people wanted change in Bengal, which we accept. We also lost all three hill seats, reflecting the people’s mandate. There is peace in the Hills, and we must maintain it.”
Thapa said the party would continue working for the welfare of the region and urged supporters to remain calm and hopeful.
Meanwhile, IGJF president Ajoy Edwards said, “The IGJF is just 14 months old, yet we contested independently with a message of regionalism. The support we received shows people have faith in us. I appeal to everyone not to give up - we will continue to fight for our people.”
