All roads leading to the Darjeeling hills on Saturday were lined up with posters of multiple political parties and Independents a day before elections to 45 seats of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) is scheduled.
A few years ago before every polls, the posters spoke about creation of Gorkhaland, which has been central to the politics of the hills for the past several decades. The posters this time have no one leader, one flag but details of contesting candidates and promise of development and democracy.
“ Janatako chahansa, sukh, santi r samridhi [people want happiness, peace and prosperity]“ reads posters of Anit Thapa’s party Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) with the photograph of the leader and the party’s electoral symbol. The posters of the newly formed Hamro Party of Ajay Edwards also have the promise of democracy. “ Ab Janatako Raj [now it is going to be rule of the people]”.
