GANGTOK,: Maintaining its strong objection to the proposed Ed Sheeran concert
in Sikkim, the Citizen Action Party (CAP) Sikkim has demanded Chief Minister
Prem Singh Tamang-Golay to make public the names of those sponsoring the
international singer’s show and other entertainment events happening during the
Golden Jubilee celebrations.
The
Chief Minister had on Sunday shared that the proposed Ed Sheeran event is being
funded through sponsorships from well-wishers and industrialists, and does not
involve any government expenses. Similar sponsorship has been facilitated for
mega entertainment and sporting events in Sikkim, he said.
Responding
to these statements, CAP Sikkim spokespersons Mahesh Rai and Albert Gurung at a
Monday press meet demanded the Chief Minister to let the Sikkim public know who
these sponsors are.
“Who
are these people and groups who are sponsoring the entertainment programmes in
Sikkim? Where is the money coming from? Is Sikkim running on donations? The
names of those sponsoring the Ed Sheeran concert which costs about Rs. 40 crore
should be disclosed,” demanded the CAP Sikkim spokespersons.
The
CAP Sikkim spokespersons alleged that these sponsors are benefiting from the
SKM government by taking over prime public properties in Sikkim.
“If
Ed Sheeran performs in Sikkim, it will not be good as it is an insult to the
Sikkimese people, especially government employees who have not received their
salaries for over a year, fair weather road contractors, and those affected by
poor road connectivity across Sikkim. When the State is in debt and unable to
pay salaries on time, how can they justify bringing an international artist to
perform in Sikkim? CAP will not tolerate the embarrassment caused to the
Sikkimese public and the SKM government is to be blamed for this,” said the CAP
Sikkim spokespersons.
Funds
should be used for development of Sikkim including roads, health and education
sectors, and providing timely salaries, said the CAP Sikkim spokespersons.
“If
the SKM government does not provide the account details of the money coming to
Sikkim, CAP will organize an andolan, as we are not afraid. The SKM
government’s challenge to us is nothing but an empty threat. CAP has the
courage to stand up,” said the CAP Sikkim spokespersons.
They
further maintained that the Chief Minister insulted the entire press fraternity
of Sikkim by targeting a senior journalist in his speech.
“It
is an insult to the entire media fraternity. While the SKM government has
spoken about press freedom, yesterday Golay criticised the fourth pillar of
democracy. Journalism is independent, yet the CM has questioned the entire
media fraternity, and CAP condemns this. The CM should apologise to the media
fraternity of Sikkim,” said the CAP Sikkim spokespersons.
