The Gorkha Rashtriya Congress has
decided to contest in the upcoming 2014 Lok Sabha election from the
Darjeeling constituency. The party leadership announced that it will
select and announce the name of their candidate on December 16 during a
party meeting in Sikkim. Besides contesting the MP elections from
Darjeeling constituency the party has also decided to contest in Sikkim
for the Legislative Assembly election which will also be held in 2014.
GRC president Nima Lama said the party
has decided to contest in the Lok Sabha elections from Darjeeling
constituency but the name of the candidate will be discussed and
announced on December 16 in Gangtok. Lama added that all the party
leaders are able and deserving but the party has presently considered
the names of five to six of its representatives from the Darjeeling
hills out of which one will be unanimously selected.
Lama added the party’s main agenda is
the merger of Sikkim & Darjeeling and since Darjeeling hills was
formerly a part of Sikkim. Thus, the party has taken the decision to
announce their candidate’s name in Sikkim. Further, the party also has
its base in Sikkim and such announcement will boost the morale of its
supporters.
So far a few names are emerging as
candidates for Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency include former
vice-chancellor of Sikkim University Dr. Mahendra P Lama, who has
already announced his candidature under the banner of an apolitical
group Darjeeling Dooars United Development Forum. The other name doing
the round is that of former captain of the Indian football team
Bhaichung Bhutia, who could possibly contest on a TMC ticket from
Darjeeling but has not been confirmed.
Source: EOI