Kolkata, March 30 (NationPress) As the majority of the 294 Assembly constituencies in West Bengal gear up for elections in two phases next month, the hill areas of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Kurseong are poised for a unique five-way contest.

In most regions, the primary contenders are the Trinamool Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the CPI-M-led Left Front, the All India Secular Front (AISF) alliance, along with the Congress.

However, in Kurseong, Kalimpong, and Darjeeling, there is a distinct five-cornered battle unfolding.

In these hill constituencies, the competing forces include the BJP, supported by the Bimal Gurung-founded Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM); the Anit Thapa-led Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM); the Ajoy Edwards-founded Indian Gorkha Janshakti Front (IGJF); the Left Front-AISF alliance; and the Congress party.

Political analysts believe that the IGJF’s independent candidacy has added complexity for both the GJM-backed BJP and the Trinamool Congress-supported BGPM, particularly in the Gorkha-majority regions of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Kurseong, where Gorkha voters significantly influence electoral results.

Officially, each party contending claims that the IGJF's participation eases their path to victory in these constituencies.

The BJP and its ally GJM assert that the IGJF is seen as an anti-BJP entity in the hills, suggesting that its candidates will siphon off votes from those opposing both the BJP and GJM.

Conversely, BGPM and the Trinamool Congress argue that the IGJF will primarily impact the core voter base of the BJP-GJM alliance, thereby enhancing the prospects for BGPM-Trinamool Congress candidates.

However, IGJF leader Ajoy Edwards contests both interpretations. He argues that Gorkha voters are disillusioned by years of unfulfilled commitments regarding a sustainable political resolution, including the long-standing demand for a separate Gorkhaland state.

In this context, voters may lean towards an alternative political force that can effectively present hill-related issues in the Assembly.

“Our candidates are not here to disrupt anyone’s vote share. Our aim is to win all three seats. Our primary agenda is to achieve a separate Gorkhaland state. Initially, we sought collaboration among hill parties, but there was no consensus. Hence, we are contesting independently. Our focus is the development of the hills and establishing a separate state,” Edwards stated.

Meanwhile, GJM General Secretary Roshan Giri mentioned that their party has chosen to back BJP candidates in the hill constituencies to work towards a permanent political solution, including the establishment of Gorkhaland. “Only the BJP has consistently supported the formation of smaller states, which can aid us in achieving that goal,” Giri asserted.

For BGPM founder Anit Thapa, the party's emphasis is on development in the hills, which he believes necessitates the support of the ruling Trinamool Congress.