Monday, Mar 30, 2026 09:45 [IST]
Last Update: Sunday, Mar 29, 2026 16:43 [IST]
DARJEELING, : Indian Gorkha Janshakti Front (IGJF) today announced its candidates for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections, fielding seven candidates across the Hills and Terai-Dooars regions.
IGJF chief Ajoy Edwards will contest from Darjeeling Assembly Constituency, while Bandana Rai is set to stand from Kurseong and Bhernone Britto Lepcha from Kalimpong.
In the plains, the party has nominated Krishna Anand Singh from Siliguri constituency, NimeshSundas from Matigara-Naxalbari, Ranjit Khess from Nagarkatta and Chandan Lohara from Malbazar. Lohara will represent the party’s Terai Dooars wing, the TerraiDooarsJanshakti Front (TDJF).
The candidates include lawyers, former bureaucrats, social workers and tea garden representatives.
Speaking at a programme in Balsaun Intake under Rangbull-Dhotrey constituency in Sukhia Block, Edwards said the candidates were chosen after careful consultation with party members.
“The candidates were chosen after weighing the pros and cons and I hope that the people will support us on the issue of ‘parivartan’ (change). For about 49 years now, both the State and the Centre have neglected us from which we need freedom,” said Edwards.
He also emphasized the need for strong representation for tea garden workers.
“Strong representation is needed for tea garden workers,” he said, highlighting the party’s focus on labour and social issues.
The announcement coincided with the launch of the final phase of the ‘Unmukti Bridge’, a community-funded project under construction for the past year. Once completed, the bridge will connect Dhotrey-Balsaun to Cedars-Sonada.
Edwards, also an elected member of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, is known for his social work in the Hills.
Lepcha, a retired West Bengal Civil Service officer, served in Land and Land Reforms department and as deputy magistrate until April 2024.
Kurseong candidate Bandana Rai, an independent advocate and social activist, has previously campaigned on tea garden workers’ issues and contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections as an independent.
