In 2024, the contest was between two major party – BJP and TMC, however, the contest had been made interesting by the entry of individuals, who are popular on social media. The interesting equation was made further interesting by the entry of Kurseong MLA Bishnu Prasad Sharma, who entered the fray against his own party BJP’s official candidate Raju Bista.
What is most interesting for our region is that Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) led by Chief Minister P.S Golay encashed Rs 36.50 crores worth of electoral bonds, which is more than Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) at Rs 30.50 cr, Janasena Party at Rs 21 cr, Samajvadi Party at Rs 14.10 crore and Jananata Dal (United) at Rs 14 crore.
Of late, we have all read multiple reports of Police Complaints being filed against those politicians who have raised the demand for the establishment of a Union Territory comprising of North Bengal districts.
“Prudent Voters Can See the Change in the Horizon” argues our guest contributor Ranjan Sharma* in this election special article In a democracy, the citizens…
For all his flaws, Bimal Gurung is still liked by a large section of the people from North Bengal. Especially in remote rural regions where politicians rarely venture, Bimal Gurung is seen as someone who has cared for the people. But will this sentiment prevail across the region? It’s difficult to say. But in tying his fate to TMC and also himself, Bimal has made a bold move, will it help him bounce back or will it backfire?
Now, with the announcement of poll dates by the Election Commission for the West Bengal Assembly elections and the state going into the electoral mode, for the first time in the Darjeeling Hills, the century-old emotive issue of Gorkhaland is conspicuous by its absence, as it has been put to the back burner by the principal parties GJMM 1 and 2 after almost a decade.
Often described as the Queen of the Hills for its stunning natural beauty, complemented by the world-famous and UNESCO world heritage – the Himalayan Railway, also holding an intoxicating political history the Darjeeling hills does not fail to mesmerize the tourists as well as the scholars. It is sad but not surprising that the Queen of the Himalayas has always been a victim of political betrayal (Dhoka) and there is neither a “ Queen” like leader, nor a permanent “Hills” like solution to achieve its true potentials.
‘आज केही त हुनेवाला छ।’ रोङ्गोबाट मनोज बोगटीले बिहानै फेसबुकमा स्टाटस लेखे। स्वाभाव अनुसार हुटहुटी शुरू भइहाल्यो। दस बजेदेखि उता हुटहुटी रोकेर राख्न नसकेपछि उनलाई…
“१० मार्च २०१० सम्ममा गोर्खाल्याण्ड ल्याईन भने म आफ्नै निधारमा गोली ठोक्नेछु।” “म जहाँ रहेता पनि आफ्नो जाति, माटो र गोर्खाको आकांक्षा-गोर्खाल्याण्डको निम्ति लडीरहेको…
A popular mass leader from Darjeeling who championed the cause of Gorkhaland state, Bimal Gurung’s compromise with TMC for his return has evoked mixed feelings among the common masses.