Complete Darjeeling assembly election results from 1971 to 2021. Check all MLA winners, vote counts, winning margins, voter turnout and 2026 election updates for Darjeeling constituency in West Bengal.
Darjeeling assembly election results are unlike any other constituency in West Bengal — defined by the politics of the hills, Gorkha identity movements, and regional parties that have dominated this seat for decades. Located in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, Darjeeling is a General (unreserved) assembly seat falling under the Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency. The All India Gorkha League (IGL) held the seat in the early 1970s, followed by CPI(M)’s Dawa Lama in 1982 and an almost unopposed victory in 1987.
From 1991 onwards, Gorkha regional parties came to dominate first through Independents backed by the Gorkha movement, then through the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF), and later the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM/GOJAM). BJP’s Neeraj Tamang Zimba won the Darjeeling MLA seat in 2021 in a fragmented contest with a voter turnout of just 68.34%. With the Darjeeling 2026 election approaching, the constituency remains one of West Bengal’s most politically unique seats. Below is the complete Darjeeling election history with year-wise results, vote counts, winning margins, and voter turnout data.
List of All MLAs from Darjeeling Assembly Seat
| Year | Elected MLA | Party | Total Votes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Result Coming Soon | — | — |
| 2021 | Neeraj Tamang Zimba | Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) | 68,907 |
| 2016 | Amar Singh Rai | Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GOJAM) | 95,386 |
| 2011 | Trilok Kumar Dewan | Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GOJAM) | 1,20,532 |
| 2006 | Pranay Rai | Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) | 58,646 |
| 2001 | D K Pradhan | Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) | 66,839 |
| 1996 | Nar Bahadur Chettri | Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) | 51,501 |
| 1991 | Narendra Kumai | Independent (IND) | 47,722 |
| 1987 | Dawa Lama | Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) | 13,897 |
| 1982 | Dawa Lama | Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) | 29,165 |
| 1977 | Deo Prakash Rai | Independent (IND) | 12,607 |
| 1972 | Deo Prakash Rai | All India Gorkha League (IGL) | 14,933 |
| 1971 | Deo Prakash Rai | All India Gorkha League (IGL) | 14,998 |
Darjeeling Assembly Election 2026 Result
Results Coming Soon
The West Bengal Legislative Assembly Election 2026 is scheduled to be held in two phases. Once the phase schedule for Darjeeling assembly seat is officially confirmed, this page will be updated. Results for all seats will be declared on 4 May 2026. Once the Darjeeling 2026 election result is officially announced, this page will be updated with the complete candidate-wise vote count, winning margin, and voter turnout. Stay tuned for the latest Darjeeling election 2026 updates.
Darjeeling Assembly Election 2021 Result
In the Darjeeling assembly election 2021, the total electorate was 2,46,663 voters. A total of 1,68,575 valid votes were cast, reflecting a voter turnout of 68.34%. The Darjeeling election 2021 was held as part of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly Elections 2021.
Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Neeraj Tamang Zimba won the Darjeeling MLA seat with 68,907 votes, defeating Independent candidate Keshav Raj Sharma who secured 47,631 votes. The winning margin in Darjeeling 2021 was 21,276 votes in a highly fragmented multi-cornered contest.
| S.No. | Candidate | Party | Total Votes | Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Neeraj Tamang Zimba | Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) | 68,907 | 40.88% |
| 2 | Keshav Raj Sharma | Independent (IND) | 47,631 | 28.26% |
| 3 | Pemba Tshering | Independent (IND) | 38,240 | 22.68% |
| 4 | Suraj Gurung | Independent (IND) | 2,855 | 1.69% |
| 5 | NOTA | None of the Above | 2,540 | 1.51% |
| 6 | Nima Gyamtsho Sherpa | Independent (IND) | 2,088 | 1.24% |
| 7 | Gautam Raj Rai | Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) | 1,913 | 1.13% |
| 8 | Anjani Sharma | Independent (IND) | 1,677 | 0.99% |
| 9 | Milan Thokar | Independent (IND) | 1,397 | 0.83% |
| 10 | Bharat Prakash Rai | Independent (IND) | 1,327 | 0.79% |
| Total | 1,68,575 | 68.34% |
Also Read : Dabgram Fulbari Assembly Election Results 2016 to 2021 | West Bengal MLA List & History
Darjeeling Assembly Election 2016 Result
In the Darjeeling assembly election 2016, the total electorate was 2,37,470 registered voters. A total of 1,59,374 valid votes were polled, reflecting a voter turnout of 67.11%. The Darjeeling election 2016 was held as part of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly Elections 2016.
Gorkha Janmukti Morcha candidate Amar Singh Rai won the Darjeeling MLA seat with 95,386 votes, defeating All India Trinamool Congress candidate Sarda Rai Subba who secured 45,473 votes. The winning margin in Darjeeling 2016 was 49,913 votes — a commanding GJM victory.
| S.No. | Candidate | Party | Total Votes | Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amar Singh Rai | Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GOJAM) | 95,386 | 59.85% |
| 2 | Sarda Rai Subba | All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) | 45,473 | 28.53% |
| 3 | Govind Chettri | Independent (IND) | 8,982 | 5.64% |
| 4 | NOTA | None of the Above | 5,817 | 3.65% |
| 5 | Ashok Kumar Lepcha | GRAC | 3,716 | 2.33% |
| Total | 1,59,374 | 67.11% |
Darjeeling Assembly Election 2011 Result
In the Darjeeling assembly election 2011, the total electorate was 2,17,964 registered voters. A total of 1,53,523 valid votes were cast, reflecting a voter turnout of 70.44%. The Darjeeling election 2011 was part of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly Elections 2011.
Gorkha Janmukti Morcha candidate Trilok Kumar Dewan won the Darjeeling MLA seat with 1,20,532 votes, defeating Gorkha National Liberation Front candidate Bim Subba who secured 13,977 votes. The winning margin in Darjeeling 2011 was an extraordinary 1,06,555 votes — one of the largest margins in West Bengal in that election.
| S.No. | Candidate | Party | Total Votes | Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trilok Kumar Dewan | Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GOJAM) | 1,20,532 | 78.51% |
| 2 | Bim Subba | Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) | 13,977 | 9.10% |
| 3 | Bharati Tamang | Akhil Bharatiya Gorkha League (ABGL) | 11,198 | 7.29% |
| 4 | K B Wattar | Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) | 5,353 | 3.49% |
| 5 | Nahakul Chandra Chhetri | Indian National Congress (INC) | 2,463 | 1.60% |
| Total | 1,53,523 | 70.44% |
Darjeeling Assembly Election 2006 Result
In the Darjeeling assembly election 2006, a total of 1,10,710 valid votes were recorded. The Darjeeling election 2006 was held as part of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly Elections 2006.
Gorkha National Liberation Front candidate Pranay Rai won the Darjeeling MLA seat with 58,646 votes, defeating Independent candidate Amar Lama who secured 36,636 votes. The winning margin in Darjeeling 2006 was 22,010 votes.
| S.No. | Candidate | Party | Total Votes | Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pranay Rai | Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) | 58,646 | 52.97% |
| 2 | Amar Lama | Independent (IND) | 36,636 | 33.09% |
| 3 | K B Wattar | Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) | 12,755 | 11.52% |
| 4 | Gopal Singh Chhetri | All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) | 2,673 | 2.41% |
| Total | 1,10,710 |
Darjeeling Assembly Election 2001 Result
In the Darjeeling assembly election 2001, the total electorate was 1,73,770 registered voters. A total of 1,05,277 valid votes were polled, reflecting a voter turnout of 60.59%. The Darjeeling election 2001 was part of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly Elections 2001.
Gorkha National Liberation Front candidate D K Pradhan won the Darjeeling MLA seat with 66,839 votes, defeating Independent candidate Sawan Rai who secured 21,576 votes. The winning margin in Darjeeling 2001 was 45,263 votes.
| S.No. | Candidate | Party | Total Votes | Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | D K Pradhan | Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) | 66,839 | 63.49% |
| 2 | Sawan Rai | Independent (IND) | 21,576 | 20.49% |
| 3 | K B Watter | Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) | 9,694 | 9.21% |
| 4 | Parvati Pradhan | Indian National Congress (INC) | 4,445 | 4.22% |
| 5 | Kishore Chandra Rai | Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) | 2,723 | 2.59% |
| Total | 1,05,277 | 60.59% |
Darjeeling Assembly Election 1996 Result
In the Darjeeling assembly election 1996, the total electorate was 1,52,409 registered voters. A total of 1,01,203 valid votes were cast, reflecting a voter turnout of 69.93%. The Darjeeling election 1996 was part of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly Elections 1996.
Gorkha National Liberation Front candidate Nar Bahadur Chettri won the Darjeeling MLA seat with 51,501 votes, defeating Communist Party of India (Marxist) candidate Kamala Sanskrityayana who secured 26,034 votes. The winning margin in Darjeeling 1996 was 25,467 votes.
| S.No. | Candidate | Party | Total Votes | Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nar Bahadur Chettri | Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) | 51,501 | 50.89% |
| 2 | Kamala Sanskrityayana | Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) | 26,034 | 25.72% |
| 3 | Madan Kumar Rai (Bantawa) | Akhil Bharatiya Gorkha League (ABGL) | 18,503 | 18.28% |
| 4 | Prahlad Prasad Gupta | Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) | 2,602 | 2.57% |
| 5 | Raja Rai | All India Indira Congress (Tiwari) | 1,181 | 1.17% |
| 6 | Pramod Tamang | Independent (IND) | 680 | 0.67% |
| 7 | Bhutia Pema Tshering Lama | Independent (IND) | 386 | 0.38% |
| 8 | Ahmad Mansur | Muslim League | 316 | 0.31% |
| Total | 1,01,203 | 69.93% |
Darjeeling Assembly Election 1991 Result
In the Darjeeling assembly election 1991, the total electorate was 1,47,176 registered voters. A total of 87,546 valid votes were polled, reflecting a voter turnout of 69.61%. The Darjeeling election 1991 was part of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly Elections 1991.
Independent candidate Narendra Kumai won the Darjeeling MLA seat with 47,722 votes, defeating Akhil Bharatiya Gorkha League candidate J D S Rai who secured 35,489 votes. The winning margin in Darjeeling 1991 was 12,233 votes.
| S.No. | Candidate | Party | Total Votes | Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Narendra Kumai | Independent (IND) | 47,722 | 54.51% |
| 2 | J D S Rai | Akhil Bharatiya Gorkha League (ABGL) | 35,489 | 40.54% |
| 3 | D P Chhetri | Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) | 2,592 | 2.96% |
| 4 | Surja Narayan Pradhan | Independent (IND) | 1,743 | 1.99% |
| Total | 87,546 | 69.61% |
Darjeeling Assembly Election 1987 Result
In the Darjeeling assembly election 1987, the total electorate was 1,19,762 registered voters. A total of 15,291 valid votes were cast, reflecting an exceptionally low voter turnout of just 13.23% — a consequence of the ongoing Gorkhaland agitation which led to a widespread poll boycott in the hills. The Darjeeling election 1987 was part of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly Elections 1987.
Communist Party of India (Marxist) candidate Dawa Lama won the Darjeeling MLA seat with 13,897 votes in the near-uncontested poll. Indian National Congress candidate P P Rai stood second with 1,104 votes.
| S.No. | Candidate | Party | Total Votes | Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dawa Lama | Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) | 13,897 | 90.88% |
| 2 | P P Rai | Indian National Congress (INC) | 1,104 | 7.22% |
| 3 | Diamond Muthey | Independent (IND) | 175 | 1.14% |
| 4 | Rajgopal Bhandari | Independent (IND) | 88 | 0.58% |
| 5 | Kishor Guruna | Independent (IND) | 27 | 0.18% |
| Total | 15,291 | 13.23% |
Darjeeling Assembly Election 1982 Result
In the Darjeeling assembly election 1982, the total electorate was 1,01,029 registered voters. A total of 58,021 valid votes were polled, reflecting a voter turnout of 59.40%. The Darjeeling election 1982 was part of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly Elections 1982.
Communist Party of India (Marxist) candidate Dawa Lama won the Darjeeling MLA seat with 29,165 votes, defeating Independent candidate J D S Rai who secured 28,856 votes. The winning margin in Darjeeling 1982 was just 309 votes — one of the closest elections ever recorded in this constituency.
| S.No. | Candidate | Party | Total Votes | Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dawa Lama | Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) | 29,165 | 50.27% |
| 2 | J D S Rai | Independent (IND) | 28,856 | 49.73% |
| Total | 58,021 | 59.40% |
Darjeeling Assembly Election 1977 Result
In the Darjeeling assembly election 1977, the total electorate was 91,260 registered voters. A total of 39,705 valid votes were cast, reflecting a voter turnout of 44.87%. The Darjeeling election 1977 was part of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly Elections 1977.
Independent candidate Deo Prakash Rai won the Darjeeling MLA seat with 12,607 votes, defeating Communist Party of India (Marxist) candidate Sangdopal Lepcha who secured 8,414 votes. The winning margin in Darjeeling 1977 was 4,193 votes in a multi-cornered contest.
| S.No. | Candidate | Party | Total Votes | Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deo Prakash Rai | Independent (IND) | 12,607 | 31.75% |
| 2 | Sangdopal Lepcha | Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) | 8,414 | 21.19% |
| 3 | Madan Kumar Thapa | Independent (IND) | 5,311 | 13.38% |
| 4 | P P Rai | Indian National Congress (INC) | 5,235 | 13.18% |
| 5 | Khaling Nirmal Chandra | Janata Party (JNP) | 4,876 | 12.28% |
| 6 | Nandalal Gurung | Independent (IND) | 1,952 | 4.92% |
| 7 | Dalbahadur Singh Gahatraj | Independent (IND) | 590 | 1.49% |
| 8 | Santosh Kumar Gurung | All India Gorkha League (IGL) | 383 | 0.96% |
| 9 | Subhash Ghising | Independent (IND) | 269 | 0.68% |
| 10 | Madan Kumar Rai | Independent (IND) | 68 | 0.17% |
| Total | 39,705 | 44.87% |
Darjeeling Assembly Election 1972 Result
In the Darjeeling assembly election 1972, the total electorate was 64,905 registered voters. A total of 32,932 valid votes were polled, reflecting a voter turnout of 52.60%. The Darjeeling election 1972 was part of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly Elections 1972.
All India Gorkha League candidate Deo Prakash Rai won the Darjeeling MLA seat with 14,933 votes, defeating Independent candidate G S Gurung who secured 9,476 votes. The winning margin in Darjeeling 1972 was 5,457 votes.
| S.No. | Candidate | Party | Total Votes | Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deo Prakash Rai | All India Gorkha League (IGL) | 14,933 | 45.34% |
| 2 | G S Gurung | Independent (IND) | 9,476 | 28.77% |
| 3 | P P Rai | Indian National Congress (INC) | 7,331 | 22.26% |
| 4 | Thakur Prasad | Independent (IND) | 789 | 2.40% |
| 5 | Guman Singh Chamling | Independent (IND) | 403 | 1.22% |
| Total | 32,932 | 52.60% |
Darjeeling Assembly Election 1971 Result
In the Darjeeling assembly election 1971, the total electorate was 63,172 registered voters. A total of 32,173 valid votes were cast, reflecting a voter turnout of 53.42%. The Darjeeling election 1971 was part of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly Elections 1971.
All India Gorkha League candidate Deo Prakash Rai won the Darjeeling MLA seat with 14,998 votes, defeating Indian National Congress candidate Madan Kumar Thapa who secured 9,133 votes. The winning margin in Darjeeling 1971 was 5,865 votes.
| S.No. | Candidate | Party | Total Votes | Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deo Prakash Rai | All India Gorkha League (IGL) | 14,998 | 46.62% |
| 2 | Madan Kumar Thapa | Indian National Congress (INC) | 9,133 | 28.39% |
| 3 | Rajendra Kumar Sinha | Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) | 8,042 | 25.00% |
| Total | 32,173 | 53.42% |
Disclaimer: This page is published for informational purposes only. The election data presented here has been compiled from publicly available sources. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we do not guarantee 100% correctness of all information. This website is not affiliated with any Indian Government body or the Election Commission of India.
Darjeeling assembly election result FAQ
Who has won the Darjeeling Assembly seat in every election till now?
Darjeeling has seen a diverse range of winners over the decades. Deo Prakash Rai of All India Gorkha League won in 1971 and 1972, while CPI(M)’s Dawa Lama dominated in 1982 and 1987. An Independent candidate Narendra Kumai won in 1991, followed by GNLF’s Nar Bahadur Chettri in 1996, D K Pradhan in 2001, and Pranay Rai in 2006. In 2016, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha’s Amar Singh Rai won the seat, and in 2021, BJP’s Neeraj Tamang Zimba won the constituency.
Who won the Darjeeling Assembly Election 2021 and by how many votes?
In the 2021 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election, Neeraj Tamang Zimba of BJP won the Darjeeling seat by securing 68,907 votes, defeating Independent candidate Keshav Raj Sharma by a margin of 21,276 votes. Neeraj Tamang Zimba received a 41% vote share while Keshav Raj Sharma received 28% of the total votes.
What was the voter turnout in Darjeeling Assembly elections?
Darjeeling recorded a voter turnout of 68.9% in the 2021 assembly election and 68.65% in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The constituency, covering a mix of rural and urban areas including Darjeeling municipality and surrounding development blocks, consistently sees moderate to strong voter participation across all elections.
Which parties have dominated the Darjeeling Assembly seat over the years?
GNLF has won the Darjeeling Assembly seat 3 times and GJM (GOJAM) has won 2 times since the 1977 elections. BJP’s Neeraj Tamang Zimba is the present MLA of Darjeeling, which is part of the Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency. The seat has historically been dominated by hill-based regional parties, with national parties making their presence felt only in recent elections.
What was the biggest winning margin in Darjeeling Assembly election history?
The biggest winning margin in Darjeeling’s electoral history came in the 2001 election, when GNLF’s D K Pradhan won by a massive margin of 45,263 votes, securing 66,839 votes against Independent candidate Sawan Rai who got only 21,576 votes. This remains the most commanding victory ever recorded in the Darjeeling Assembly constituency.