The Trinamool Congress on Wednesday secured a majority in four municipalities in West Bengal – one in Darjeeling hills and three in the plains. On the other hand, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) captured three civic bodies in the hills, including Darjeeling.
Official sources said that TMC won Domkal municipality in Murshidabad district, capturing 18 of the 21 wards. Here, the Congress party emerged victorious in two seats, while CPI(M) bagged one.
In Raigunj municipality of North Dinajpur district, TMC captured 24 of the 27 wards while the Congress won in two wards and the BJP in one.
TMC bagged Pujali municipality in South 24 Paraganas district winning 12 of the 16 wards. BJP bagged two seats while the Congress won a single seat.
Although GJM managed to retain three civic bodies in the hills, TMC put up a creditable performance winning in Mirik. Of the nine seats in Mirik, TMC won six and GJM three.
GJM, however, maintained its supremacy in other civic bodies in the hills.
The Morcha won 31 of the 32 seats in Darjeeling municipality where TMC was able to emerge victorious in one seat.
In Kurseong, GJM won 17 wards while TMC bagged the remaining three.
GJM also won the civic body in Kalimpong capturing 19 of the 23 seats while TMC bagged two.
Jan Andolan Party of Harka Bahadur Chetri, a former GJM leader who defected from the party, failed to make a major gain in Kalimpong and managed to win only two seats. Elections to the seven municipalities were held on 14 May.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)