SIKKIM: Upreti promises to create influential lobby in Delhi for Sikkim - ‘People want change and Congress is that change’

Sikkim News (GANGTOK): Congress MP candidate KN Upreti has promised to create an influential lobby in the national corridors of power for Sikkim if elected to the Lok Sabha in the coming Parliamentary elections schedule on April 30.

“If the people of Sikkim elect me as their MP, I can confidently assure them that I will not enter the Parliament for formality’s sake like the previous SDF MPs”, said Mr. Upreti to reporters here in Gangtok.

With 36 years of political experience behind him, the State Congress stalwart said that the national party is set to form the government in the Centre. “There will be lot of old and new Congress MP friends at the top level. I can create a lobby and take their help in addressing the issues of Sikkim that needs to be addressed at the level of the Centre”, he said.

“Now Congress is set to form in the Centre and as a Congress MP, I can definitely create a lobby at the national level in the interests of Sikkim”, said Mr. Upreti.

The Congress MP candidate said that the protection of Article 371F will be his foremost agenda in the Parliament. “It has been 36 years since I joined politics. The people of Sikkim must benefit, this is my principle. Sikkimese people should not be fragmented into smaller entities in the name of caste and creed for political gains. The division and the rising influx both will have dangerous consequences for Sikkim in future. We must remain secure to remain united”, he said.

“We have to protect Sikkim from influx and this can be done by implementing Article 371 F in letter and spirit. The provisions of this Constitutional shield for Sikkim have been greatly diluted by the SDF government over the past 15 years”, he said. He added that protection of Article 371 F means the long term protection of the Sikkimese people.

The Congress leader also highlighted the danger posed to the Sikkimese people by the Burman Commission report. “If Burman Commission report is implemented then Article 371 F will totally vanish. Delhi must be explained about the nefarious designs behind the Burman report”, he said.

Another chief agenda of the Congress MP candidate was the restoration of Nepali seats in Sikkim which he assured to give his best to achieve. “I am hopeful also as I know the background behind the demand for restoration of Nepali seats comprehensively after being involved in this issue since 1979. Since I have the background inputs, I can convince the Centre for the restoration of Nepali seats in Sikkim Assembly”, he said.

Mr. Upreti also point that the issue had been raised and debated by many political parties over the years. “The only drawback was that, there used to be governments of different parties at the Centre and Sikkim which was proving difficult for the restoration of Nepali seats. A regional party cannot create the necessary rapport with the Centre and they cannot follow up their demands on regular basis”, he said.

When questioned what the plus points are for him, Mr. Upreti highlighted the ‘change’ factor.

“People want change and Congress is that change”, said Mr. Uperti.

Sikkim Express