A political controversy has erupted in the Darjeeling hills after Kurseong Assembly independent candidate Sumendra Tamang alleged that he received a phone call from a BJP functionary asking him to withdraw his nomination and support the party’s candidate.
According to Tamang, the caller, whom he identified as the BJP’s Kurseong observer, urged him not to contest as an independent to prevent a split in the vote. In return, Tamang claimed he was assured of a position in the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) or another administrative role if the BJP came to power.
Video surfaces, sparks political buzz
Tamang has shared a video of the alleged phone conversation on social media, intensifying the political storm. In the video, the person on the other end is purportedly heard suggesting that both sides share the same objective and should work together to avoid splitting votes. The caller can be heard saying, "Your goal and ours are the same. Then the votes should not be divided. Let us work together. In the future, you will be given a position in the GTA (Gorkhaland Territorial Administration) or another good post."
Tamang rejects offer, slams BJP
Rejecting the proposal, Tamang reportedly criticised the BJP, alleging that the party had failed to address key issues of the hills, including the long-standing demand for Gorkhaland and a permanent political solution.
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He further stated that despite repeated electoral mandates over the years, the BJP had not delivered on its promises to the region. Tamang also emphasised that he opposes all major political parties, including the BJP, TMC, and CPM, and remains committed to working for labour rights.
Highlighting the condition of tea garden workers, he claimed that promises such as raising daily wages to ₹800 had not been fulfilled. He also alleged that recent labour codes were undermining workers’ rights.
Tamang made it clear that he would continue contesting as an independent candidate and had no intention of withdrawing from the race.
BJP denies knowledge
Reacting to the allegations, BJP’s hill unit president, Sanjeev Lama, stated that he did not know about such an incident.
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Allies target BJP over ‘double standards’
The controversy has also drawn sharp reactions from rival parties. Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) spokesperson Shaktiprasad Sharma criticised the BJP, pointing to what he described as contradictions within the party.
He claimed that while BJP MP Raju Bista had earlier spoken about scrapping the GTA if the party came to power, leaders from the same party were now allegedly offering positions within the GTA to secure political support. Sharma added that people in the hills were aware of such inconsistencies in the party’s stance.
