Darjeeling, once known as the ‘Queen of Hills’ is one of the 42 Lok Sabha constituencies in West Bengal. Darjeeling has been the epicentre of the Gorkhaland Movement giving it a distinct political character. The constituency has seven assembly segments with three in the hills and four in the plains. These are – Kalimpong, Darjeeling, Kurseong, Matigara-Naxalbari, Siliguri, Phansidewa and Chopra. Voting for Lok Sabha polls in Darjeeling will take place in the second phase on April 19. The counting of votes will take place on June 4.
2019 Result and 2024 Candidates
Raju Bista of the BJP had won the Darjeeling Lok Sabha election in 2019 with 750,067 votes.
In Lok Sabha polls 2024, while the BJP has fielded the incumbent Bista, the TMC has nominated Gopal Lama from the seat.
Key Facts About the Darjeeling Constituency
- The Congress and CPM dominated the constituency until the 1980s.
- The Gorkhaland movement in the 1980s led to the rise of regional parties like GNLF, influencing voting patterns based on the “identity issue” of Gorkhas.
- Since 2009, the BJP has secured three consecutive wins, primarily due to the support of Bimal Gurung, leader of a GJM faction.
- The demand for Gorkhaland has been the most significant factor, shaping alliances and swaying voters towards parties perceived to be supportive of their cause.
- Splits and alliances within GJM and other hill parties significantly impact voting patterns.
- The ‘Son of the soil’ narrative has gained traction, with voters favoring local candidates over “outsiders.”
Key Constituency Issues
From Gorkhaland to tea workers’ demands, these are the key issues of the Darjeeling constituency.
Gorkhaland
For decades, the demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland has been a major political concern in the Darjeeling hills. In 2017, tensions flared with a violent 100-day agitation that tragically claimed 11 lives. Since 2009, the BJP has secured the Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat with support from the hills, promising a permanent solution to the region’s issues. However, concrete actions towards fulfilling this promise haven’t materialized. The Trinamool Congress (TMC), the current ruling party in West Bengal, strongly opposes the division of the state and the creation of Gorkhaland.
Water Shortage
The town of Darjeeling needs 19.7 million gallons (nearly 90 million litre) of water daily. However, the municipality can only supply 6.38 million gallons (around 29 million litre). This shortage is partly caused by leaking pipes, wasting about 25% of the treated water. The existing water infrastructure, built around 1910-15 for 15,000 people, is insufficient for the current population. The situation has worsened recently due to a significant drop in water levels at natural springs caused by widespread illegal logging in the surrounding area.
Land Slides and Soil Erosion
Different blocks experience varying intensities of landslides, with Kurseong, parts of Bijanbari, and Gorubathan being highly susceptible. Unregulated quarrying activities in Lish and Gish basin, and Tindharia region have disrupted slope stability and contributes to excessive siltation in rivers and adjoining plains, disrupting the ecological balance.
Coal mining and stone quarrying activities, particularly quarrying under roads, have weakened the slopes and increase the risk of landslides. A recent incident near Giddapahar is suspected to be caused by such activity.
Another key culprit is the cultivation of root crops like potato and ginger. Harvesting these crops during the monsoon season (September-October) loosens the soil, making it more prone to erosion and landslides. Heavy vehicle movement on hill roads also destabilizes slopes, leading to frequent landslides, especially during the rainy season.
Tea Workers’ Issues:
Minimum wages and closure of tea gardens are also very serious issues in the constituency. Underdevelopment and the colonial hangover somehow still exists in the rules of the state. Lives of the people living on tea estates is tough.
Pollution
Despite its geographical, climatic, and ecological importance, Darjeeling has remained overlooked by policy makers when it comes to combatting pollution. A study published in 2024 raises concerns that Darjeeling may soon become a non-attainment city, emphasizing the necessity for Central and State pollution control boards to establish robust and continuous monitoring stations for air pollutants in such regions. The increasing pollution will have an impact on the tourism in the constituency which will then have a devastating effect on other factors such as employment, inflation, etc.
Infrastructure
Ministry of Health has allocated around Rs 222.66 crores for enhancing health infrastructure in the Darjeeling region, including the establishment of a Critical Care Hospital Block through the PM-ABHIM scheme. Raju Bista, the current MP, has promised to convert existing hospitals into medical colleges.
Under the PM Awas Gramin scheme, the Central government has already built several thousand houses in the region.
Construction of Highway 717A, which will serve as an alternative to NH10, linking Sikkim to the rest of India, has been initiated. Additionally, the Border Roads Organization (BRO) has completed an alternative highway connecting Alagar in Kalimpong to Damdim in Dooars. Progress is underway for the Sevoke-Rangpo rail line project, costing Rs 8000 crores, which will integrate Sikkim into the national railway network. This will be crucial for Siliguri too.
Furthermore, Bagdogra Airport is undergoing renovations worth Rs 1800 crores, including the construction of new terminals and modern amenities, to enhance its functionality as the sole civilian airport in North Bengal.
Who Stands Where
The BJP faces challenges due to discontent among some Gorkha groups regarding their perceived lack of fulfillment of promises. The party has also faced losses in local elections (Siliguri, Darjeeling Municipality) and the defection of Bimal Gurung.
The TMC is trying to capitalise on BJP’s weaknesses by supporting Anit Thapa’s BGPM, which enjoys influence in the hills. It is also trying to ride on the “son of the soil” sentiment.
The INDI alliance has limited presence in the region.
The outcome may hinge on how effectively parties address the Gorkha identity issue and local concerns.
Voter Demographics
The total number of voters (as of 2019 election) in Darjeeling are 1,600,564, of which, around 50.7% in are males while 49.3% are females. A very small number of voters identify as the third gender (21 in 2019).
The constituency has a literacy rate of 68.14%. There are about 16.8% (approximately 268,895 voters) Scheduled Caste voters, 19.4% STs and 14.4% Muslim voters.
Rural voters make for about 66.2% (approximately 1,059,573 voters) of the total voters while 33.8% are urban voters.
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