Kolkata, May 5: The results for the highly contested Siliguri seat in West Bengal’s assembly elections have been announced. BJP candidate Shankar Ghosh has won by a significant margin of over 73,000 votes.
Ghosh received 120,760 votes, while his closest rival, Gautam Deb from the Trinamool Congress (TMC), garnered 47,568 votes. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) candidate, Sardindu Chakraborty (Joy), finished in third place.
Historically, Siliguri has seen a diverse political landscape. Various parties, including Congress, Left, TMC, and BJP, have claimed victory at different times. CPI(M) has won the seat the most, with eight victories, while Congress has won four times. Since 2011, the seat has become increasingly competitive, with different parties winning in successive elections.
In 2011, the TMC candidate won, followed by a comeback from Left leader Ashok Bhattacharya in 2016. The BJP marked its first victory in the area during the 2021 elections. This trend showcases the shifting political dynamics in Siliguri.
Located in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, Siliguri is considered the third-largest urban center in the state, after Kolkata and Asansol. It forms a ‘twin city’ with Jalpaiguri and is part of the Darjeeling parliamentary constituency. The assembly constituency includes 33 wards of the Siliguri Municipal Corporation and is entirely urban. Nestled at the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas and along the banks of the Mahananda River, Siliguri is known as the ‘Gateway to the Northeast.’ Its geographical and economic significance is heightened due to its proximity to the borders of Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.
Demographically, this seat is entirely urban, with approximately 239,000 voters in 2024. Scheduled caste voters make up about 8.84%, scheduled tribe voters 1.26%, and Muslim voters around 6.20%. Historically, voter turnout has been strong, reflecting the political awareness in the region.
Geographically, the area is also sensitive, falling within Seismic Zone 4, which poses a risk of earthquakes. Past tremors, including the 2011 earthquake, have highlighted this vulnerability. Additionally, the Mahananda and Teesta rivers pose a flood risk during the monsoon season.
Economically, Siliguri relies on four key sectors: tea, timber, tourism, and transportation. It serves as a major commercial and distribution hub for the Northeast and hilly regions. Siliguri’s connectivity makes it a crucial hub, linking Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, and other parts of Northeast India. Its proximity to the borders of Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh further enhances its international importance.
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