BJP's talent search team may surprise many in West Bengal; after a former High Court judge Ganguly joined BJP; it's more than a 'buzz' that former Foreign Secy Shringla may contest from Darjeeling

Locals in Siliguri and Darjeeling in north Bengal are optimistic that if Harsh Vardhan Shringla contest on a BJP ticket, he would win hands down. Shringla was a former diplomat and India's envoy in Dhaka and also Washington. It goes without stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a very good opinion on him. 

He was instrumental for successful diplomatic course undertaken by the Modi government in improving ties with the US and also on Teen Bigha dispute with Bangladesh. 

He was made Foreign Secretary by the Modi government and pot-retirement given the key role as G20 Chief Coordinator. 

Shringla often meets locals during morning walks and also catches up with them over a cup of tea, nearly everyday. He has addressed students in colleges and schools and motivates them to study and strive for success. He was also instrumental in organising a G20 Tourism meeting in Darjeeling, which the locals are very grateful for, reported 'New Indian Express'.

Recently at his invitation a delegation of CEOs from the US visited Siliguri and so did members of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The Gates Foundation will visit the area again on January 29th and help them in assisting tea garden workers to supplement their income and also inform locals on waste management.

He also founded Darjeeling Welfare Society (DWS). 

"We organised a Rozgar Mela in November where major corporates like Taj, Intercontinental, Thomas Cook came to our area and met qualified locals. Around 270 youth were offered jobs. This is the core of the DWS, we would like to support people in getting employment and help in welfare activities," Shringla said. 

The DWS was formed in 2014 when it began to execute welfare work and it got registered in 2023. Shringla never lost touch with locals in the area, even when he was a serving diplomat. During the outbreak of the pandemic, he helped stranded Indians hailing from Darjeeling and Sikkim to return home from the Gulf.

"He is liked a lot by the locals here since he was instrumental in organising the G20 meeting here and he also works towards helping people get jobs. Besides, most people in Darjeeling like his unassuming nature and we really wish he contests from Darjeeling in the upcoming elections," Sreejana C Gurung, an educationist from Mirik, told 'The New Indian Express'.

Reportedly, the state unit of BJP supports the move of fielding Shringla from Darjeeling, which the BJP has been winning since 2009. Former Foreign Secretary Jaswant Singh had won the seat in 2009 while S S Ahluwalia picked it up in 2014 and local talent Raju Bista was given opportunity in 2019. He is only 38.

Ahluwalia was shifted to Bardhaman-Durgapur in South Bengal. 

Shringla worked closely with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the “Howdy Modi” event in Texas in 2019.

He was foreign secretary between 2020 and 2022 succeeding the present External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar. Shringla was also ambassador to the US between 2019 and 2020. He also served in Bangladesh and Thailand. 

The BJP has announced 20 candidates from West Bengal and all eyes are now on the second list. Many high profile names and seats are being discussed in the political circle. 

Arambagh -- may get Madhusudhan Das as BJP nominee, Barasat -- Bimal Shankar Nanda, East Bardhaman - Balaram Vepari, Barrackpore - Falguni Patro. There is much speculation about BJP candidates in Diamond Harbour, which is Trinamool leader Abhishek Banerjee's stronghold and Basirhat -- under which falls Sandeshkhali.

Triple Talaq crusader Najia Ilahi Khan may be considered for Basirhat. She joined BJP in 2018. 

 

From Birbhum, BJP's nominee could be Doodhkumar Mandal. From Bardhaman-Durgapur, there is a strong buzz that the sitting BJP lawmaker S S Ahluwalia may be replaced by party leader Agnimitra Pal. There are a few other good local Durgapur leaders too. Amitabh Banerjee is one of them.

From Dumdum, BJP's nominee could be Shilbhadra Dutta. Tapsi Roy may be the saffron party nominee from Jangipur while Kunar Hembram may contest from Jhargram.

Actor Mithun Chakraborty may be given ticket for Calcutta South. Calcutta North may have Sajal Ghosh as BJP nominee. In Krishnanagar, BJP may field Soumen Mahapatra. He is likely to take on TMC leader Mahua Moitra, who was expelled from Lok Sabha in December.  

 Among others, former BJP Bengal unit chief Dilip Ghosh may contest from Medinipur once again.  Actress Papiya Adhikari may be fielded from Raiganj. 

Kazi Masum Raza of West Bengal who was conferred Padam Sri for his work on education and literature may be given ticket from Uluberia.