The “walking stick” election symbol has travelled from Nepal to Darjeeling ahead of GTA Sabha polls.

Sources said Independents in 18 of 45 GTA constituencies chose the “walking stick” symbol, though they had 20 symbols to pick from.

The Independents seem to think this symbol would take them far like it did in the Kathmandu and Dharan civic polls in Nepal held on May 13.

An Independent candidate, Balen Shah, 32, a rapper and a structural engineer, was elected as the mayor of Kathmandu, defeating politicians from established parties. Harka Rai Sampang, 38, an Independent and an ordinary citizen from Dharan, was also elected mayor. Both had the “walking stick” as their election symbol.

An Independent nominee in the GTA polls, Reshma Gurung, said those successes inspired her to pick the walking stick as her poll symbol, too.

Independent candidates like Santosh Khawash from Rongo-Jhaldhaka-Toeday constituency (45) and Reshma Gurung from Tukvar constituency (4) have even used the exact slogan that Balen used during the Kathmandu polls.

The loose translation of Balen’s slogan is that while the walking stick is useful for the elderly it could also be used to cane the corrupt.

Corruption is emerging as a major issue in the GTA polls.

Reshma Gurung admitted that she was inspired by the outcome of the Nepal poll results.

“Yes, I was inspired especially by Harka Sampang (in Dharan). He gave us hope that Independents without money or muscle power too can make a difference,” said the 30-year-Gurung.

Nepal’s Dharan mayor rents out cars while his wife runs a grocery shop for a living. His campaign was simplicity exemplified.

Gurung, who calls herself a social worker, was heading the women wing of the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha at Tukvar till November. “Even if I win, I will remain Independent and serve people,” she said.