GANGTOK,: CAP Sikkim Lok Sabha candidate Bharat Basnet has committed to
strongly voice the long pending socio-political demands of Sikkim in the
Parliament, if he is elected as the Lok Sabha MP. His priority issues are
reservation of Limboo-Tamang Assembly seats, restoration of Nepali Assembly
seats and tribal status for the left-out communities of Sikkim.
“Sikkim is
not safe anymore because violence in the name of politics and corruption has
become so common. Sikkim needs someone who can ask questions and challenge the
government. If I am elected as the Lok Sabha MP then my no. 1 priority would be
the LT seats,” said Basnet to SIKKIM EXPRESS.
“Chief
Minister and SKM party president PS Golay himself is a Tamang, while Lok Sabha
MP Indra Hang Subba is Limboo, but during the SKM tenure, nothing was done
regarding the Limboo-Tamang seats demand. If I am elected as an MP then I
promise to speak up for the Limboo-Tamang seats, as it is not just for the Limboo-Tamang
communities, but Sikkim as a whole. I promise to give them justice,” expressed Basnet,
also the CAP Sikkim interim president.
Basnet
also pledged to work sincerely on restoration of Nepali seats in the State
Legislative Assembly and grant of tribal status for the 12 left-out communities
of Sikkim. “The 12 left-out communities have served Sikkim for years, but
political parties for the past five decades are only talking about this issue
for political gain and using the left-out communities as vote banks,” he said.
Basnet has
spent four decades in Sikkim politics, and been vocal on various Sikkim-related
issues from different political and social platforms, and faced attacks on some
occasions.
“Despite
all these incidents I have never bowed down to the ruling party because Bharat
Basnet has always followed the theory of politics. The public has seen it all
and have understood my intentions for the betterment of Sikkim and is rooting
for me. They have faith in me,” said the MP candidate.
Basnet
apologized to the public for places he could not visit during his election
campaign.
“I have
tried to visit all six districts but due to time constraints, I was unable to
visit some places. I promise to visit those places after the election. I am
hopeful that the public will understand and support me by voting for me. During
the election campaign, I have understood that the Sikkimese intellectuals are
supporting me. There are 14 MP candidates this time and it is a good sign. I
would also like to give my best wishes to other candidates,” he added.
