The general observer of the Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency on Monday requested the district election officer “to take necessary action” on a plea by BJP candidate Raju Bista for the removal of “political appointees” as the administrators of the Kalimpong, Kurseong and Mirik municipalities.

On Monday, Bista wrote to the chief election commissioner, Rajiv Kumar, saying the tenure of the Kalimpong, Kurseong and Mirik municipalities had ended in 2022.

Bisat wrote that the three civic bodies were being run by administrators who had been appointed by the Trinamul Congress government “and not elected by the people”.

“These political appointees are in a position to influence voters and pressure them into supporting the political party that appointed them (TMC), this goes against the norms of democracy, and also the rules set out by the Election Commission,” said Bista who sought the immediate removal of the administrators.

Vikram Singh Malik, the general observer of the Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency, immediately wrote to the district election officer, requesting necessary action. “Also, please ensure that under no circumstances, the office and resources of these offices are used for the election campaigning or influencing the voters in any manner. If any such incident is brought to your notice, kindly take strict action against the concerned promptly,” the observer’s letter states.

The administrators of Kalimpong and Kurseong are Rabi Pradhan and Brigen Gurung, respectively, who are associated with the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM). The administrator of Mirik is L.B. Rai, a Trinamul leader. The BGPM backs Bista’s rival candidate, Gopal Lama of Trinamul.

Sources said one of the administrators had made social media posts regarding the installation of new ziplines and the beautification of a park with a rubber mat.

Social media posts of people appreciating the projects undertaken by the administrator of the municipalities also started doing the rounds.