Will BJP field Rajiv Pratap Rudy from Darjeeling?

Kolkata, March 11: The

might field Rajya Sabha member

from

in West Bengal. All eyes are set on the decision taken by the party after the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) decided to back it in Darjeeling and some other seats in northern Bengal.

The GJM decided to support the BJP after the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) fielded former footballer Bhaichung Bhutia, who hails from the neighbouring Sikkim, from Darjeeling.

The GJM had supported the BJP in Darjeeling in the 2009 Lok Sabha election also. Senior leader Jaswant Singh was elected as the MP from this seat that year. Singh is likely to shift to his home state Rajasthan this year. Rudy, who was closely involved in Singh's campaign in 2009, however, said he had no idea about such a decelopment. Other sources also said that the BJP could field veteran singer and music composer Bappi Lahiri from this seat.

Some sources said the BJP could field Bappi Lahiri from Darjeeling

North Bengal Development Minister Gautam Deb, however, refused to acknowledge that the BJP-GJM deal would cause much concern to Bhutia's chances of winning from thr hills. The TMC leadership, however, is worried that if the NDA forms government in the future, it could implement the recently established Telangana model in Gorkhaland by bypassing the state government.

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