DARJEELING,
March 28: Hamro Party president Ajoy Edwards
today announced their alliance with INDIA bloc for the upcoming Darjeeling Lok
Sabha polls.
Speaking via a live video on Facebook
from New Delhi, Edwards expressed disappointment with the BJP’s failure to
fulfil promises made in their manifesto over the past 15 years. He stressed
that the alliance with the Congress-led INDIA bloc is aimed at representing the
interests of Gorkha community.
Edwards stated that supporting BJP or
Trinamool Congress would not address the core issues faced by the Gorkha
community. “This election is not for
development for which GTA, municipality and panchayat elections are there,” he
said in the video.
Recognising the challenges ahead,
Edwards affirmed his belief in the resilience of the Gorkha community and their
commitment to upholding their self-respect.
He clarified that the alliance with the
INDIA bloc is not tied to any specific political party. “Our alliance is not
towards the Congress or any other party but towards the INDIA bloc who we feel
will stand and work for the benefit of the Gorkha community along with other
such minority groups in the country. We are joining this alliance being the
voice of the Gorkha community,” Edwards said.
Meanwhile, an all-party meeting convened
by the youth wing of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha failed to reach a concrete decision
regarding the upcoming polls. A handful of political parties attended the meeting
along with people from social organizations and those who have decided to
contest as independent candidates. Invitation was sent to all parties excluding
BJP, TMC, GNLF and BGPM.
Noman Rai, the general secretary of the Morcha
youth front, stated that the meeting explored the prospect of fielding a
consensus candidate to represent the interests of the region effectively.
“There are different individuals who are
interested in contesting as independent candidates like BJP Kuresong MLA B.P.
Bajgain and lawyer Bandana Rai. We wanted that instead of contesting from
different banners, there should be a consensus candidate, the proposal of which
we placed today,” he said while adding that the final decision would be taken
tomorrow.
Bajgain, who attended the meeting, said
he was present in the meeting to hear what the different parties and
organizations had to say and added that the meeting wanted the votes to be
consolidated for the issue of Gorkhaland.
He, however, was not clear if he would stand by his decision to contest
as an independent candidate, while maintaining that he had planned to file his
nominations on March 31.
SPCC
in-charge stresses on leveraging alliance to address regional issues and
protect Sikkimese identity
DARJEELING,: Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee
in-charge Ranajit Mukherjee welcomed the Hamro Party’ alliance with INDIA bloc,
highlighting the strategic advantage of having a “Nepali partner” for their
party.
Speaking to the Sikkim Express over
phone, Mukherjee said, “This is a very positive development for us as we are
getting attached not only with a party from Darjeeling but a Gorkha party.
Having a Nepali partner will benefit us electorally in the upcoming election.”
“Congress, being a national party, has
people from all communities including Darjeeling and Sikkim. However, a party
which is specifically of the Nepali community will allow us to understand and
leverage to bring forward better solutions for the community,” he added.
Mukherjee emphasized the historical
affinity between the Congress and the Nepali community, citing past initiatives
such as the formation of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council and recognition of
the Nepali language in the 8th schedule.
“The affinity of the Congress with the
community has been historically strong. With the alliance partnership now, we
expect that the contemporary politics and partnership will be stronger,” he
said.
He also stressed on leveraging the
alliance to address regional issues and protect Sikkimese identity.
“During the Sikkim elections we have one
clear mission: to spread the fact that we are the only party which is actually
concerned about Sikkimese identity and its protection. The BJP is coming to
Sikkim to try and take over and do what they did to Kashmir, and all regional
parties there at the end of the day will have to do what the BJP says.”
Mukherjee extended an invitation to
Edwards and other Hamro Party leaders to join the Congress campaign in Sikkim.
