The political landscape of North Bengal has witnessed a significant shift ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly Elections. Bimal Gurung, the chief of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), has formally extended his party’s support to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for four crucial seats in the plains and foothills. This move comes after the two parties already entered into an alliance for the Darjeeling seat in the hills, where the GJM is fielding its own candidate with BJP’s backing.

According to party sources, the GJM will actively campaign for BJP candidates in the Matigara-Naxalbari, Phansidewa, Kalchini, and Madarihat constituencies. These areas in the Terai and Dooars regions have a substantial Gorkha and Nepali-speaking population. Historically, Bimal Gurung’s influence has been a deciding factor in these constituencies, and his latest alignment with the saffron brigade is expected to significantly strengthen the BJP’s prospects in North Bengal.

Explaining the rationale behind this alliance, Bimal Gurung stated that the protection of Gorkha identity and the development of North Bengal remain his party’s top priorities. He accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of failing to address the long-standing grievances of the hill people. On the other hand, TMC leaders have dismissed the GJM-BJP tie-up as a “failed experiment of the past,” asserting that the people of North Bengal now prioritize stability over identity politics.

As the campaign intensifies, all eyes are on the strategic Siliguri corridor where the GJM’s organizational strength in the plains will be tested. For the BJP, this support is a vital addition to their electoral machinery as they aim to retain their stronghold in North Bengal. Whether Bimal Gurung can successfully transfer his vote bank to the BJP in the plains remains a million-dollar question for the upcoming polls.