Darjeeling MP meets Modi, Shah, FM to discuss poll strategy, pushes for tea workers’ scheme
The Statesman | 14 February 2026
With an eye on the forthcoming Assembly elections in West Bengal, Darjeeling MP Raju Bista has stepped up consultations with senior leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in New Delhi to discuss the prevailing political situation in north Bengal and chalk out strategies to counter the ruling Trinamul Congress.
Mr Bista met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, and followed it up with meetings with Union home minister Amit Shah and Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman over the past two days.
During his meeting with Mr Shah, the Darjeeling MP briefed the home minister on the current socio-political climate in the Darjeeling Hills, Terai, Dooars and the wider north Bengal region. He said Mr Shah has maintained a close watch on developments in the region and has played a key role in expediting various developmental initiatives currently underway.
It may be noted that Mr Bista also extended an invitation to the Prime Minister to visit north Bengal. His meetings in Delhi came shortly after Mr Shah addressed party leaders in Siliguri, where he reportedly guided them on election preparations for 28 Assembly seats across four districts ~ Darjeeling, Cooch Behar, Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri, including the Siliguri Assembly segment.
In his meeting with Ms Sitharaman, Mr Bista raised issues relating to the livelihoods and welfare of tea garden workers in West Bengal. He submitted a formal request seeking immediate implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Cha Shramik Protsahan Yojana (PMCSPY) in the state.
“I submitted a formal request seeking her immediate intervention to ensure the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Cha Shramik Protsahan Yojana in West Bengal,” Mr Bista said. “I remain hopeful that this request will be considered favourably, ensuring that no worker is left behind due to bureaucratic hurdles,” he added.
The PMCSPY was announced by the Government of India in the Union Budget 2021-22 with an allocation of Rs 1,000 crore earmarked for the welfare of tea workers. The scheme aims to strengthen education, healthcare and other support services for tea garden workers and their families during the financial years 2024-25 and 2025-26.
The development assumes significance amid heightened political activity in North Bengal ahead of the Assembly polls.