TMC, BJP poised to fight a pitched battle over control of Darjeeling

The BJP, since the last two Lok Sabha polls, has been in alliance with the GJM with the latter extending their support as they claim it is in their best interests of realising Gorkhaland

Among the 42 seats from West Bengal which goes to Lok Sabha polls from next month, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) are poised to fight a pitched battle this time over control of Darjeeling. While the BJP will vie to retain this seat, the TMC is desperate for its maiden Lok Sabha foray from this constituency. 

It was with the Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat that the BJP staged a comeback in West Bengal after its decline in 2004. Apart from Darjeeling, the BJP won the Asansol constituency in the previous Lok Sabha elections. On the other