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GJM Backs BJP in All 7 Darjeeling Seats for Bengal Polls

The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha has announced unconditional support for BJP candidates in all seven Assembly constituencies of Darjeeling district for the upcoming West Bengal polls. GJM General Secretary Roshan Giri stated the support is aimed at achieving a permanent political solution for the hills, including the demand for Gorkhaland. Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress is contesting the four plains constituencies, while its hill ally, the BGPM, will contest the three hill seats. Other major hill forces, the GNLF and the IGJF, have not yet declared their support for any front in the elections.

Key Points: GJM Supports BJP in Darjeeling for Gorkhaland Solution

  • GJM extends unconditional BJP support
  • Aim is permanent political solution for hills
  • Focus on separate Gorkhaland state demand
  • Trinamool contests plains, ally BGPM contests hills
  • GNLF and IGJF yet to declare stance
2 min read

GJM extends unconditional support to BJP candidates in all seven Darjeeling constituencies

Gorkha Janmukti Morcha pledges unconditional support to BJP candidates across seven Darjeeling constituencies in the West Bengal Assembly elections.

"Our politics is not about positions and power. We have to support the BJP for a permanent political solution for the hills. - Roshan Giri"

Kolkata, March 27

The Bimal Gurung-founded Gorkha Janmukti Morcha on Friday announced unconditional support for the Bharatiya Janata Party candidates in all seven Assembly constituencies in Darjeeling district for the forthcoming two-phase Assembly elections in West Bengal next month.

Of the seven constituencies in Darjeeling district -- Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Kurseong are located in the hills, while Matigara-Naxalbari, Phansidewa, Siliguri, and Dabgram-Fulbari fall in the plains.

The BJP has decided to contest all seven constituencies, and the GJM has extended its support to the party's candidates across the district.

On the other hand, while the Trinamool Congress has fielded candidates in the four constituencies in the plains, its hill ally, the Anit Thapa-founded Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM), will contest the three constituencies in the hills.

On Friday, GJM General Secretary Roshan Giri told media persons that the party leadership had decided to support the BJP candidates in Darjeeling district to achieve a permanent political solution for the hills, including the demand for a separate Gorkhaland state.

"Our politics is not about positions and power. We have to support the BJP for a permanent political solution for the hills. If the BJP comes to power in the state, we will get a permanent solution. If there is no change in the state, then no solution is possible. If we want to keep regional political parties alive, we have to fight in alliance," Giri said.

Although the GJM has extended unconditional support to the BJP, two other major forces in the hills - the Gorkhaland National Liberation Front (GNLF) and the Ajoy Edwards-founded Indian Gorkha Janshakti Front (IGJF) - are yet to take a clear stand on which front they will support in the forthcoming Assembly elections.

All seven constituencies in Darjeeling district will go to polls in the first phase on April 23.

The second phase of the polling in West Bengal will be held on April 29.

The results will be announced on May 4.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Interesting move. But I'm a bit skeptical. We've seen such alliances before, with promises of statehood. Will this time be any different? The people of the hills deserve concrete action, not just pre-election promises.
R
Rohit P
Good strategic move by BJP. Securing the hill constituencies is crucial. The split in the hill parties (GJM with BJP, BGPM with TMC) makes the plains seats even more interesting. Siliguri will be a key battleground.
M
Meera T
As someone from North Bengal, I just hope development reaches the hills. We need better roads, schools, and hospitals. Whether it's Gorkhaland or not, the focus should be on improving people's lives. 🙏
S
Sarah B
The article mentions GNLF and IGJF haven't decided their stand yet. Their decision could sway a lot of votes. This election in Darjeeling is going to be very complex and closely watched.
V
Vikram M
"Our politics is not about positions and power." That's a bold statement from Roshan Giri. Let's see if they hold to that principle after the elections. Often, these 'unconditional' supports come with many conditions later.

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