Just 48 hours before the first phase of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly Elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah triggered a major political storm in the Hills, announcing a firm timeline for resolving the long-pending Gorkha issue while launching sharp attacks on the state government over the voter list revision process.

Addressing a high-voltage rally in Kurseong, Shah declared that the BJP would deliver a “permanent political solution” to the Gorkha issue by May 6, shortly after the election process concludes.

“I give you my word: once the BJP forms the government, the Gorkha issue—pending for years—will be resolved in line with the aspirations of the Gorkha people,” he said, projecting confidence in his party’s electoral prospects.

Allegations over voter list revision

Shah also levelled serious allegations against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. He claimed that names of several Gorkha voters were being deliberately removed. “There has been a conspiracy to strike off names of Gorkhas from the voter list. This will not succeed. After the elections, we will ensure every genuine voter is reinstated,” Shah asserted.

Expanding his criticism, Shah accused successive governments led by the Congress, Left parties, and the ruling Trinamool Congress of neglecting the Gorkha community.

“The Gorkhas have a proud history, yet they have faced injustice for decades. Congress, CPM, and now the Trinamool have all failed them. The time has come to end this,” he said, positioning the BJP as the only party capable of delivering a lasting solution.

‘Wave of change’ across Bengal

Highlighting shifting political dynamics, Shah pointed to the BJP’s consistent support in the Darjeeling Hills and claimed that the party is now gaining momentum across the state.

“For years, the Hills supported us but the rest of Bengal did not. This time, the entire state is ready for change. A strong wave is building to remove the current government,” he said.

High stakes in the Hills

Shah’s announcement of a May 6 deadline has added a new dimension to the political discourse in North Bengal, particularly in the Hills where demands for Gorkhaland remain a sensitive issue. Regional outfits, including factions of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), continue to press for a separate state.

With campaigning entering its final stretch, the BJP’s aggressive outreach—from the Terai-Dooars to the Hills—signals its intent to expand its footprint in the region.

As voters prepare to head to the polls, Shah’s assurances and allegations are expected to play a significant role in shaping electoral outcomes, with residents closely watching whether these promises translate into political reality.