New Delhi, March 24: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) high command on Sunday announced Raju Singh Bisht as the candidate from West Bengal's Darjeeling constituency for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections 2019. The decision was taken after the incumbent lawmaker from the seat, SS Ahluwalia, expressed his inability to contest.

Ahluwalia, who is also a Union Minister in the current Narendra Modi-led government, wrote to BJP chief Amit Shah, conveying his decision to opt out of the electoral race in Darjeeling. The 68-year-old, however, said he is open to contest from any other seat in Bengal. Babul Supriyo, Dilip Ghosh, Chandra Bose in 1st List of 28 BJP Candidates From WB. 

"Raju Singh Bisht to contest from Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency in West Bengal. SS Ahluwalia in a letter to Amit Shah has expressed his inability to contest from Darjeeling. He has stated that he can contest from any other seat in West Bengal," BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya said.

The outcome of polls in Darjeeling is determined by the manner in which the votes of Gorkha-origin people swings. In 2014, the BJP had won the constituency with Ahluwalia as the candidate. The two main Gorkha groups - Gorkha Janmukti Morcha and Gorkha National Liberation Front - had extended support to the saffron party.

Both the Gorkha-centric outfits have once again sided with the BJP. The decision to actively cooperate with the party for the upcoming election was finalised at a meeting held in the national capital on Sunday.

GJM, GNLF to Support BJP in Darjeeling:

The seat of Darjeeling will go to polls in the second phase of Lok Sabha elections 2019, scheduled on April 18. Along with Darjeeling, the constituencies of Jalpaiguri and Raiganj would also be contested in phase-2.

The Trinamool Congress candidate from Darjeeling is Amr Singh Rai, who is being actively supported by the GJM faction headed by Binay Tamang -- who was appointed as chairman of the Gorkhaland Territorial Council following the 2017 unrest.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 24, 2019 11:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).