The Gorkha Rashtriya Congress has
intensified its campaign for the Lok Sabha elections across the
Darjeeling hills. On Sunday, GRS supporters distributed leaflets in
Kurseong promoting the party’s sole election agenda of a
Darjeeling-Sikkim merger.
GRC president Nima Lama, party candidate
for the Darjeeling seat, said it has been several decades since the
people of the hills have raised the demand for statehood. However, the
state government has always managed to snub such demands by offering
autonomous setups, which are totally unacceptable alternatives, he said.
Talking to reporters here on Sunday, the
GRC president said, “Now the people have to knock at the right doors
and also make up their minds to vote for GRC to achieve a
Sikkim-Darjeeling merger.”
Lama said the GRC has started its
election campaigning by issuing leaflets that appeal for votes in
support of a Sikkim-Darjeeling merger. He also said the party has urged
all communities of the hills to pursue their demand for statehood
through the GRC and free themselves from the divisive policies of the
state government. The leaflet highlights a number of points related to
the party’s stand about Darjeeling being an integral part of Sikkim and
never a part of Bengal, added Lama.
The GRC chief also claimed the Centre is
in no mood to entertain the demand for a separate state, but it has
supported the GRC’s idea of a Sikkim-Darjeeling merger and also sought
public feedback on the issue. Lama also insisted the GRC’s proposal is
being supported by leaders at the Centre as it seeks unification and not
separation.(EOIC)