Darjeeling, Oct. 6 -- In a last-minute change of plans, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's scheduled visit to Darjeeling on Wednesday was cancelled. Preparations were underway and the stage had been set for Adhikari's maiden visit to Darjeeling town as Chief Minister, where he was scheduled to attend the 20th foundation day celebrations of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM).

Late on Tuesday evening a note from the Directorate of Security, West Bengal stated that 'scheduled programme of the Chief Minister of West Bengal to Darjeeling district on September 7, 2026 has been cancelled'.

The CM was scheduled to arrive at Bagdogra at around 2 pm from Kolkata on Wednesday and preparations were in full swing for his visit. Multiple rounds of administrative meetings were held in Darjeeling along with inspections and dry runs conducted at Lebong and St. Joseph's ground.

The district administration on Tuesday had also announced travel restrictions from 8 am to 7 pm on Wednesday in view of the proposed visit. Reports state that many schools on the Lebong Cart road were to remain closed on Wednesday owing to this. The administration had also notified that all vehicles plying from Siliguri to Darjeeling; Darjeeling and Kurseong and Kurseong to Siliguri would be diverted.

The sudden visit cancellation will emerge as a major damper for the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, feel political observers. The observers opine that after facing a political low since 2017 when GJM president Bimal Gurung was forced to go underground, the GJM would use the opportunity of Adhikari's visit to the foundation day programme of the party to bounce back. A show of strength would definitely put the party in a better political position in front of Adhikari, sending home the message that Gurung and the GJM are still capable of calling the shots in the Hills.

Gurung on Tuesday, while overseeing preparations at the St. Joseph's School ground, had remarked: "Suvendu Adhikari is a man who has seen a lot of political struggle. He knows that I too have had to face a lot. GJM has been an alliance partner of the BJP since 2009. Adhikari knows the history of our struggle, so he is coming. I have always had good relations with him."

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.