Gurung, Giri elected uncontested; 8 CPI(M) nominees withdraw

Gurung's opponent Padam Bahadur of the CPI(M) withdrew his candidature from Takvar seat in Darjeeling sub-division today leaving the GJM leader the sole contestant there.

Gurung's wife Asha also won uncontested as her CPI(M) opponent Ramesh Chhetri too withdrew from Darjeeling I seat.

Roshan Giri had filed his nominations for Sitong Latpancher in Kurseong sub-division and won it after his only opponent, Trinamool Congress-backed independent candidate's papers were rejected during scrutiny yesterday.

GJM assistant general secretary Binay Tamang too won uncontested as the CPI-M nominee Joney Mukhia withdrew from Bloomfield Rishat seat. The other independent candidate's nomination paper was rejected, the sources said.

Altogether eight CPI(M) candidates withdrew their candidature in the face of alleged terror tactics by the GJM, said senior CPI(M) leader of the hills K B Watter who claimed that there was no democracy in the hills.

The police and district administration failed to provide security to the CPI(M) candidates who were facing constant threats from the GJM, Watter said at a press meet.

After today's withdrawal, only five CPI(M) contestants remained in the fray.

Tomorrow is the last day of withdrawal and elections is scheduled to be held on July 29. MORE