GANGTOK,: Indian National Congress (INC) Lok Sabha candidate Gopal Chettri has urged the Sikkimese public to give a chance to Congress this time, so that Congress can work on removing those Central laws implemented here by the BJP government that are not in Sikkim’s interests.
Addressing a press meet on Tuesday, Chettri said: “Sikkim needs a MP who can speak for Sikkim in the Parliament. The past MPs have been unable to take the Sikkim issues to the Parliament, and this time Sikkim should give a chance to a MP from a national party, because there is a difference between MP from a national and regional party.”
“Article 371F is a special provision given to Sikkim when the Indian National Congress was in power. The Congress has a historical role in Sikkim from the merger to the protection of Article 371 F and the continuance of the Old Laws of Sikkim. I will be fighting on the electoral issue of the burning need to protect Sikkimese identity that the Indian National Congress supported. Other political parties are making Article 371F an issue for votes. BJP assures on making Article 371F secure, but most of the Central laws threatening Article 371F were imposed during BJP’s rule. Congress is always in favour of Sikkim,” said Chettri.
The INC candidate asserted that Sikkim needs a national party to speak up for demands related to Sikkim. “I know I can do it. Believe in SPCC because when I got the ticket for the MP candidature, I had already made it clear to my high command to support Sikkim. Sikkim has always voted out Congress, but Congress has still not given up on Sikkim and its demands,” he said.
“The elections are near and we are campaigning on ground. The Ghar-Dahilo Abhiyan is going well, but I would like to apologise to those who we couldn’t visit this time. We tried our best to meet everyone but due to less time for the voting, we couldn’t visit everyone. We are hopeful that the public will support us by voting for Congress,” said Chettri.
Chettri also committed to take up the pending issues of Sikkim like Nepali seats, Limboo-Tamang seats and tribal status for the left-out communities and ILP.
“If I am elected as the MP, then I will definitely take these demands to the Parliament. Since Congress is a national party, it will definitely be easier for me to take the demands to the Parliament. I will live up to the expectations of the Sikkimese janta,” said Chettri.