Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) wins three municipalities in Darjeeling hills uncontested

Darjeeling, Nov 16 (PTI) Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) virtually won three municipalities in Darjeeling hills uncontested as no nomination was filed by others on the last date of filing documents. "There is no need to hold poll for Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong municipalities as barring GJM nominees, no other candidate has filed nomination till the last date of filing papers yesterday," Darjeeling District Magistrate Soumitramohan said. "We are preparing to hold election in eight of nine wards of Mirik municipal area where independents and GJM aspirants have filed nominations," he said, adding the last date of withdrawal is November 18. One GJM candidate virtually won one seat uncontested in Mirik, he said. Dismissing as 'baseless" the allegation that there is no democratic atmosphere to hold election in the hills, the district magistrate said no political party had lodged any official complaint of intimidation with the administration. While GNLF called the election illegal, CPI(M) boycotted the poll alleging lack of democratic space in the hills. The election is slated for December 11.