Putting an end to prolonged speculation, the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) has officially announced its support for the BJP in north Bengal hills ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in West Bengal. The declaration was made on Sunday, coinciding with the party’s 46th Foundation Day, where the GNLF confirmed it would back BJP candidates in the three hill constituencies as a constituent of the NDA alliance.
The announcement came during an event organised by the party’s Kurseong branch committee. The programme was presided over by party president Mann Ghisingh and anchored by branch secretary Yudhe Chettri. Among those present were outgoing MLA Neeraj Zimba, central committee vice president NB Chettri, and general secretary Rishi Thapa, along with several party leaders, workers, and supporters.
Addressing the gathering, Mann Ghisingh emphasised the party’s long-term vision. “The party is not working solely with a specific election in mind; rather, it is prioritising the long-term future and the interests of the Gorkha community. We seek not merely a change of power, but a systemic change, and we will continue to press our demand for a constitutional framework for the Gorkha community,” he said.
During the Central Committee meeting held on the same day, key decisions regarding the Assembly elections were finalised. Speaking to reporters, NB Chettri stated that the party’s decision was in line with its position within the NDA. He revealed that BJP National General Secretary Nitin Nabin had written to Ghisingh requesting support, following which the GNLF decided to back BJP candidates “in the greater interest of the Hills.”
Welcoming the move, Darjeeling MP Raju Bista expressed gratitude to the GNLF leadership and its cadre. “Since 2019, the GNLF has been a vital component of the NDA, and this support will further strengthen the alliance in the upcoming elections,” he said.
Bista further highlighted that the alliance aims to secure justice for the Gorkha population across the Darjeeling Hills, Terai, and Dooars regions. He also pointed to ongoing efforts to weaken Gorkha unity, asserting that a united political stance at this juncture carries significant importance.
Political analysts believe that the GNLF’s endorsement could play a crucial role in shaping the electoral dynamics of the Darjeeling Hills. By consolidating the Gorkha vote bank, the move is expected to offer a strategic advantage to the NDA in the region.
However, the decision has drawn criticism from opposition quarters. BJP-M spokesperson Shakti Prasad Sharma dismissed the move as one driven by compulsion rather than choice. He alleged that the GNLF had little option but to support the BJP after reportedly being denied tickets and facing organisational challenges. According to Sharma, contesting independently would have led to electoral defeat, prompting the party to align with the BJP to “save face.”
With the hills once again emerging as a politically sensitive battleground, the GNLF-BJP alignment is set to add a new dimension to the contest in the upcoming Assembly elections.
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