Bimal Gurung: Will retire from politics if we lose Darjeeling seat

REZA PRADHAN

DARJEELING,: Bimal Gurung on Saturday upped the political ante in the Hills, declaring he would quit politics if GJM youth leader Noman Rai, who is contesting on a BJP ticket, will lose the Darjeeling Assembly seat.

Addressing a gathering at Chowrasta, Gurung, who accompanied Noman Rai to file nominations, declared: “If Noman Rai loses, I will retire from politics.”

Speaking to reporters later, Gurung added, “We are confident of victory. I have taken up a challenge with other parties for the Darjeeling seat. If we lose here, I will take sanyas from politics. If people do not understand, why will I continue politics. If people support corruption, what can I do?" he added, also expressing confidence of a BJP government in West Bengal.

Rai’s nomination today saw a large turnout. Supporters carrying both BJP and Morcha flags escorted him around town. 

A similar show of strength was witnessed in Kalimpong where the BJP has fielded Bharat Chettri, a former Indian hockey goalkeeper and captain. Along with cadres of the Morcha and the BJP, BJP Darjeeling MP Raju Bista was also present there.

In a media statement, Bista claimed the Kalimpong voters were seeking to replace “old, corrupt, nepotistic politics” with BJP and its alliance’s “honest, hard-working youthful politics.”

Along with Chettri, Bhernone Britto Lepcha of Indian Gorkha Janshakti Front also filed his nomination in Kalimpong today, while independent Sumendra Tamang filed in Kurseong. Madhap Rai of Indian National Congress also filed his papers for Darjeeling.

The Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha has already completed nominations across all three Hill constituencies, as has the BJP and its allies.