Congress Says About its Commitment to Provide Special Status to Sikkim

The Congress says that it is committed to providing a special status to Sikkim and also says that the political party is always ready to fight for the rights and privileges of its people.

Speaking about other benefits that it wants to provide to the state and its people, the newly-appointed AICC in-charge of the state Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma says that the concept of reservation of seats for the Sikkimese Nepali community in the Assembly is fully supported by the party. He even said that the matter will be raised by them in Parliament.

At present, the northeastern hill state has 32 seats in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly. The ruling party of the state Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) wants to increase the seats to 40 so that other communities in Sikkim, including Limbu and Tamang can also have their particular seats in the assembly.

The ruling party is, however, criticized by the opposition party Congress. Debbarma rather alleged that the SDF government is diluting the special status given to the Sikkim under Article 371(F) of the Constitution.

Speaking in a press conference, the Congress in-charge of the state says, "It was the Congress that provided constitutional guarantee in the form of Article 371(F) to protect the interests of the three ethnic communities of the state -- Lepchas, Bhutias and Nepalis."

He added, "We will take up all issues related to the people of Sikkim to the Centre, something that was either forgotten or neglected in earlier times."

As the issue of providing special status to the hilly state is quite on discussion recently with the local people and leaders demanding for its rights, the Congress thinks of taking a front seat in supporting and winning the confidence of the people.