“Why is CM PS Tamang silent on Sikkim-Darjeeling merger issue” questioned former CM Pawan Chamling while addressing a gathering at Rinchenpong on December 9.
Chamling who is on his “Sikkim Bachao Abhiyan” since November 28, stated that the issue of Sikkim-Darjeeling merger had crossed its limits, and said that the very people who were raising the issue again and again were being aided by CM Tamang.
Chamling in his address said that such voices of Sikkim-Darjeeling merger issue were never heard in his tenure as Chief Minister, “as soon as SKM came to power such voices has become stronger” he added.
“Why can CM and his government not arrest such people who raise such issues that hurt the sentiments of Sikkimese people” said Chamling.
The former CM also made a stand that he and his SDF party was not in favor of Sikkim-Darjeeling merger.
The statement of Former Sikkim CM has come after some political outfits from Darjeeling hills had warned the Central and the West Bengal governments that if their demand of Permanent Political Solution (PPS) for the hills was not made before 2024, they would declare Darjeeling as “South Sikkim”. The statement made from the hills of Darjeeling was met with harsh criticism from the general public of Sikkim along with some political parties but no official statement has since been made from the ruling front, SKM.
Several political parties from Darjeeling hills has however been divided on the issue of Sikkim-Darjeeling merger where some may seen to be keen on merger while others claiming it be left to the general public.
“I personally feel that it should be left to the public of Sikkim to decide, not even the government” said Ajoy Edwards, Founding President of Hamro Party from Darjeeling, in a recent interview with Sikkim Chronicle when asked about the issue.
“The first decision should be of Sikkimese” he added.
With just over a year left for state Elections in Sikkim various issues are being floated by all political parties where “Sikkim-Darjeeling merger” has become a major political issue with Sikkimese opposition parties attacking the SKM led government from all sides and accusing it of being “too soft” and “not speaking” on it.