Raju Bista, the incumbent BJP MP from Darjeeling, pipped former foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla at the post to retain the party ticket for the Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat.

Bista had won Darjeeling by a margin of over 4 lakh votes in 2019, but his name was announced only in the second list published by the party for Bengal as sections in the BJP had strongly rooted for Shringla.

Sources said the party weighed its options till the last moment. “There was some assurance (for a ticket) to Shringla from a section of the party in Delhi. Even though Shringla never spoke of being interested in the candidature, his actions spoke louder than words,” said a party source. “In fact, Shringla had already set up a team.”

Shringla traces his roots in Darjeeling.

Supporters of Shringla, however, are hopeful that the former chief coordinator is expected to bag “an exciting and responsible role” if the BJP forms the government at the Centre.

Observers believe that Bista’s popularity among the district BJP leaders and cadres as well as the party’s allies swung the balance in his favour.

“Darjeeling BJP leaders were asked to nominate three probable candidates. They just stuck to Bista’s name. GNLF leader and Darjeeling MLA Neeraj Zimba threatened to contest as an Independent if Bista was denied a ticket. There was a very strong pitch for Bista from Darjeeling,” said a source.

Bista, who hails from Manipur but whose in-laws are from Darjeeling district, has raised hill issues in Parliament like no other previous MP from Darjeeling. Even though the BJP has not fulfilled the two election promises it made to the region in 2019, Bista’s popularity has not waned.

“This is because Bista was proactive in all aspects during his tenure and raised numerous issues, including the demand for Gorkhaland, on many occasions,” said an observer.

After the list was announced, Shringla issued a statement: “I am deeply grateful to all those who have placed their trust in me and provided me with the opportunity to serve. I pledge to honour the trust by devoting myself wholeheartedly to the betterment of my country.”