Darjeeling: A successful businessman and philanthropist who briefly entered politics before forming his own party just 96 days ago, has recreated the David-and-Goliath story. DarjeelingA surprising development that has the potential to have a lasting impact BengalDiplomacy and Real Politics in the Hills.
a joy edwards Hamro is against being called the ‘president’ of the party, which he formed in November 2021. Instead, he prefers to be accepted as a hardworking party worker and team player. Like Delhi CM Arvind Kejrival And his AAP, Edwards, vowed a walk-the-talk mantra and his party won 18 out of 32 seats in the Darjeeling civic polls. “It is a fact that Kejriwal has changed Delhi. One person can make a difference and it is a bonus if you have a team with similar vision,” he said.
Edwards owns and runs Glenery’s Confectionery and Restaurant near Darjeeling Chowrasta. He also founded the Edwards Foundation and the Darjeeling Initiative, a non-profit organization that has been instrumental in helping people amid the pandemic. The idea of ”positive change” that he undoubtedly managed to spread inspired the Hamro Party’s emphatic victory.
“Many years ago, my friends and I started the Darjeeling Carnival, a non-political annual event promoting peace and harmony. We were kicked out of the hills during the statehood movement that started in 2007, but We believed that change would happen, someday,” he said.
Thus, it should come as no surprise that after the election victory, Edwards said: “It’s a new beginning for the Hills”.
The leader said the years of misgovernance by the GNLF and GJM has left people frustrated and angry. “It was the strong anti-incumbency factor that worked in our favor.”
Edwards now wants to focus on the promises made in his party’s election manifesto. “Once we form the new board our first resolution will be to stop all illegal constructions and make 32 wards of Darjeeling Municipality no-strike zones. We also have long term, mid and short term policies on health, education, waste management and tourism, some of which we hope to complete within a hundred days,” he said.
Senior strategist and founding member of the party Sameer Sharma said the use of social media helped Edwards like a clean image. “He did 80% of the work with his clean image and extensive social work. Since many of our members have an event management background, we also tapped into the potential of social media.”
a joy edwards Hamro is against being called the ‘president’ of the party, which he formed in November 2021. Instead, he prefers to be accepted as a hardworking party worker and team player. Like Delhi CM Arvind Kejrival And his AAP, Edwards, vowed a walk-the-talk mantra and his party won 18 out of 32 seats in the Darjeeling civic polls. “It is a fact that Kejriwal has changed Delhi. One person can make a difference and it is a bonus if you have a team with similar vision,” he said.
Edwards owns and runs Glenery’s Confectionery and Restaurant near Darjeeling Chowrasta. He also founded the Edwards Foundation and the Darjeeling Initiative, a non-profit organization that has been instrumental in helping people amid the pandemic. The idea of ”positive change” that he undoubtedly managed to spread inspired the Hamro Party’s emphatic victory.
“Many years ago, my friends and I started the Darjeeling Carnival, a non-political annual event promoting peace and harmony. We were kicked out of the hills during the statehood movement that started in 2007, but We believed that change would happen, someday,” he said.
Thus, it should come as no surprise that after the election victory, Edwards said: “It’s a new beginning for the Hills”.
The leader said the years of misgovernance by the GNLF and GJM has left people frustrated and angry. “It was the strong anti-incumbency factor that worked in our favor.”
Edwards now wants to focus on the promises made in his party’s election manifesto. “Once we form the new board our first resolution will be to stop all illegal constructions and make 32 wards of Darjeeling Municipality no-strike zones. We also have long term, mid and short term policies on health, education, waste management and tourism, some of which we hope to complete within a hundred days,” he said.
Senior strategist and founding member of the party Sameer Sharma said the use of social media helped Edwards like a clean image. “He did 80% of the work with his clean image and extensive social work. Since many of our members have an event management background, we also tapped into the potential of social media.”