BGPM announces torch as poll symbol; candidates file nominations

REZA PRADHAN

DARJEELING, : The BhartiyaGorkhaPrajatantrikMorcha (BGPM) on Wednesday announced that it has chosen the torch as its election symbol, as candidates RudenSada Lepcha and Amar Lama filed their nominations on the same day in Kalimpong and Kurseong respectively.

The BGPM had until now been campaigning with the symbol of a candle for its three candidates. However, with the symbol not available in the list provided by the Election Commission of India (ECI), the party opted for another symbol at the last moment.

In both Kurseong and Kalimpong, massive rallies were taken out accompanying the two BGPM candidates during the filing of their nominations. Supporters, who turned out in large numbers, were seen raising slogans in favour of their candidates. Traditional musical instruments were played during the rallies, with many participants dressed in traditional attire.

Those present in the processions carried cut-outs of their candidates’ faces along with party flags. In Kurseong Motor Stand, an all-faith puja was also held before Lama proceeded to file his nomination papers.

At Kurseong, BGPM president AnitThapa said, “I had appealed to the people in Kurseong and Kalimpong to come out in support of the candidates today, and looking at the huge turnout in both places, I feel that the morale of our candidates has been further boosted.”

Referring to the slogans of “Parivartan” (change) raised by the Indian GorkhaJanshakti Front (IGJF), Thapa said that his party had already begun working towards change since 2017, which, according to him, helped restore peace in the Hills and allowed political parties to function without fear.

Taking a dig at IGJF leader and Darjeeling AC candidate Ajoy Edwards, Thapa said, “In Darjeeling, we have fielded a candidate who is an academician and has written many books. It is up to the people to decide whether they want to vote for an academician or someone who has not even stepped into a college. When a person enters the State Assembly, we will be proud to send an educated representative. It will also show that we have many educated Gorkhas among us.”

Thapa further said that although the party could not secure the candle symbol this time, the battery-operated torch symbol also signifies light, which aligns with the party’s beliefs.

Amar Lama, speaking on the symbol, said that the party had selected the torch as its first preference, followed by binoculars as the second choice and table as the third. He expressed confidence that the party would be allotted the torch symbol.

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters at Kalimpong, RudenSadaLepcha said, “Iam not stupid like RajuBista to say that within six months ofreaching the VidhanSabha everything will happen. The issue ofGorkhaland or granting tribal status is not a thing that will be passed in the State Assembly but there we must try to bring the different facilities that are being provided by the State government.”

Lepcha also urged Darjeeling MP RajuBista to focus on raising issues concerning the Gorkha community in Parliament. He added that while there would be competition among candidates in Kalimpong, he was confident compared to the 2021 polls.

For the polls scheduled on April 23, the last date for filing nominations is April 6, with scrutiny set for the following day. The last date for withdrawal of candidature is April 9, and the results will be declared on May 4.