Northern half of West Bengal finds many surprises in its election stage

SILIGURI: Northern half of West Bengal, submerged under many critical issues like more than one separate statehood demands, finds many surprises in its election stage right at the beginning of the show with announcement of candidature by ruling TMC and main opposition Left Front.

Undoubtedly the most exciting corner of the show is Darjeeling, pressed under the vortex of separate Gorkhaland statehood movement. Winning of a candidate here remained mostly under the mercy of the torch bearer of Gorkhaland movement. Young, ex Rajyasabha MP and hard core politician Mr. Saman Pathak is the LF candidate here to fight Indian Football star and Nike Brand ambassador Mr. Baichung Bhutiya. BJP and Congress are yet to announce their candidates. While BJP is likely to nominate its General Secretary Mr. Rajib Pratap Rudy for the seat, someone from locality is going to be the choice of Congress.

In 15th Loksabha, Gorkhaland activist Gorkha Janamukti Morcha’s full support brought BJP candidate Mr. Jaswant Singh as MP from Darjeeling with overwhelming majority. But this time, things may not be so easy for BJP as “We have not yet finalized our election strategy,” said GJM general Mr. Roshan Giri.

GJM is facing in-house strong criticism for its failure to achieve anything major with its friendship with BJP. Its hobnobbing with TMC is also being critically seen. The party may even come out with its own candidate. On the other hand, GNLF, another major Gorkhaland activists group is also likely to have its own candidate. Naturally, “Splitting of anti CPIM and pro Gorkhaland vote will brighten our prospect,” said Mr. Pathak.

Master Stroke of TMC supremo Miss Mamata Banerjee is placement of Mr. Satya Ranjan Dasmunshi, brother of veteran Congress leader Mr. Priya Dasmunshi against probable congress candidate Mrs. Deepa Dasmunshi, wife of Mr. Priya Dasmunshi. Against them, LF is to play the game with popular and academically sound political personality Md. Selim. TMC and Congress allied attack remained fatal for LF in 2009. But, “Tussle within Dasmunshi family and splitting of non left vote this time may bring ultimate benefit for LF candidate, if BJP does not become a factor here,” said political observers.

One more jolt for LF is candidature of its ex Minister Mr. Dasarath Tirkey as TMC candidate from Alipurduars against LF candidate and sitting MP Mr. Manohar Tirkey. Both, well known in the locality and full of tea gardens, and from same ethnic community are going to have a tough fight in between- accepted even LF leaders.

However, “We are hopeful of winning all the eight seats in the region,” said TMC leader and North Bengal Development Department Minister Mr. Gautam Dev. But for sure, he also knows that the reality may bring many unexpected twists in the election stage at the last scene.