KOLKATA: Siliguri mayor Goutam Deb has indicated that he may step down and rent out part of his house. The move follows his crushing defeat to BJP’s Shankar Ghosh by 73,192 votes.Siliguri is a major urban constituency in Darjeeling district of West Bengal, encompassing Siliguri city and surrounding suburban areas. As a commercial and transportation hub of north Bengal, the constituency holds considerable political and economic significance. In 2026, the candidates include Goutam Deb of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Shankar Ghosh of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Alok Dhara of the Congress.In the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections, the seat was won by Ashok Bhattacharya of the TMC, who defeated his nearest rival from the BJP by a margin of approximately 3,000 votes. The closely fought contest reflected Siliguri’s competitive political environment and its mix of urban development issues and voter expectations.The economy is diverse, with trade, services, tourism, logistics, and small-scale industries forming the backbone of livelihoods. Key issues include urban infrastructure, transportation, and civic amenities. Road congestion, drainage, reliable electricity, and water supply are major concerns in city areas, while suburban and peri-urban pockets also highlight infrastructure gaps.Employment opportunities, particularly for youth, remain a priority, as many residents seek stable jobs in the city’s service and trade sectors.The constituency went to polls on April 23, as part of Phase 1. Darjeeling district recorded a voter turnout of 88.98%.
