BJP did not win any seat in the last assembly elections, in which the SKM came to power. Lepcha along with nine MLAs of the SDF switched over to the BJP, making it the second largest party in the assembly overnight. Later, the BJP also won by-elections to two seats, taking its tally to 12. Lepcha s Rajya Sabha nomination is being considered as his reward for helping the BJP become a major player in the Himalayan state.