Political theatrics in Darjeeling have reached a new height with politicians tearing the election manifesto of rivals and elected representatives publicly making cash-for-slap and cash-for-spit offers.

Darjeeling BJP MLA Neeraj Zimba, who is also the secretary-general of Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF), took to social media and announced a “cash prize” of Rs 1 lakh for anyone who slapped Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) leader S.P. Sharma and an additional sum of Rs 50,000 for spitting on Sharma’s face.

“Here is the cheque. I can even pay in cash,” said Zimba, showing the cheque on a social media post.

Zimba was reacting to an incident where Sharma, who is also the chief public relations officer of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, tore copies of the election manifesto of the eight-party United Gorkha Alliance, on Tuesday.

The BJP and the GNLF are both a part of the Alliance. Others include Gorkha Janmukti Morcha and Hamro Party.

“The parties (in the Alliance) announced that this is only for this rural election to be held on July 8. Since the alliance will not be in existence after the election, the manifesto is an eyewash as there will be no one to fulfill the promises,” Sharma said to justify the manifesto tearing act.

Zimba questioned Sharma’s ethnicity and added he would take care of all legal issues arising out of slapping Sharma.

Asked if he was hitting below the belt, Zimba told The Telegraph: “This is the best option. I, however, have not issued any fatwa. My statement should not be blown out of proportion as I have only urged people to slap him on his face and not do anything else. I cannot take responsibility for other incidents.”

“Sharma was the first to provoke,” Zimba added.

After Zimba’s announcement, Satish Pokhrel, the elected GTA Sabha member from Relling and also the vice-president of the BGPM, made a similar offer.

“If anyone slaps BJP candidates from today (Tuesday) till polling day, I will offer Rs 10,000 each and an additional Rs 2,000 to the person capturing the incident in the video,” said Pokhrel.

All the parties have registered complaints and counter complaints in police stations.

“Let him (Sharma) come and tear the manifesto before me,” said Noman Rai, Morcha leader.

Sharma said Zimba was trying to divert attention from the former's question on the validity of the Alliance and the fate of the poll promises in the manifesto promises.

Sharma also offered Rs 5 lakh to Zimba if he could prove that the former's ethnicity wasn't Gorkha.