Political equations changing by the day, Darjeeling braces for 3-cornered contest

Weeks before it goes to the polls, the north Bengal hill constituency of Darjeeling is grappling with fast changing political equations as leaders are switching their allegiance and parties receiving support from unexpected quarters.

This is accentuated by the fact that the regional parties, which play a key role in shaping public opinion in the constituency about the candidates of national parties, have already taken sides.

While the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha is supporting the BJP, the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) is backing the Trinamool Congress candidate.

Further changing the constituency’s political landscape, the Hamro Party recently joined the INDIA alliance, while the Congress has emerged as a contender against the BJP and TMC.

Snapping ties with the Trinamool Congress, GJM leader Bimal Gurung on Sunday extended support to sitting MP and BJP candidate Raju Bista, while BJP’s Kalimpong MLA Bishnu Prasad Sharma filed nomination papers as an Independent candidate against Bista.

While Hamro Party chief Ajoy Edwards joined the INDIA bloc alliance, Munish Tamang, the national president of Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP), joined the Congress in Delhi.

Though the Congress is yet to name its candidate from the seat, former GJM leader Binay Tamang, who last year joined the Congress, revolted by saying he would oppose his party if Munish Tamang is made a party candidate.

The political landscape in the constituency has always been tumultuous with regional forces playing a deciding role in sealing the fate of national party candidates, amid the overriding sentiment of separate statehood demand (Gorkhaland).

The BJP has won the constituency since 2009 but it is for the first time that it did not change its candidate.