Hamro Party joins INDIA bloc

DARJEELING, March 28: Hamro Party president Ajoy Edwards today announced their alliance with INDIA bloc for the upcoming Darjeeling Lok Sabha polls.

Speaking via a live video on Facebook from New Delhi, Edwards expressed disappointment with the BJP’s failure to fulfil promises made in their manifesto over the past 15 years. He stressed that the alliance with the Congress-led INDIA bloc is aimed at representing the interests of Gorkha community.

Edwards stated that supporting BJP or Trinamool Congress would not address the core issues faced by the Gorkha community.  “This election is not for development for which GTA, municipality and panchayat elections are there,” he said in the video.

Recognising the challenges ahead, Edwards affirmed his belief in the resilience of the Gorkha community and their commitment to upholding their self-respect.

He clarified that the alliance with the INDIA bloc is not tied to any specific political party. “Our alliance is not towards the Congress or any other party but towards the INDIA bloc who we feel will stand and work for the benefit of the Gorkha community along with other such minority groups in the country. We are joining this alliance being the voice of the Gorkha community,” Edwards said.

Meanwhile, an all-party meeting convened by the youth wing of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha failed to reach a concrete decision regarding the upcoming polls. A handful of political parties attended the meeting along with people from social organizations and those who have decided to contest as independent candidates. Invitation was sent to all parties excluding BJP, TMC, GNLF and BGPM.

Noman Rai, the general secretary of the Morcha youth front, stated that the meeting explored the prospect of fielding a consensus candidate to represent the interests of the region effectively.

“There are different individuals who are interested in contesting as independent candidates like BJP Kuresong MLA B.P. Bajgain and lawyer Bandana Rai. We wanted that instead of contesting from different banners, there should be a consensus candidate, the proposal of which we placed today,” he said while adding that the final decision would be taken tomorrow.

Bajgain, who attended the meeting, said he was present in the meeting to hear what the different parties and organizations had to say and added that the meeting wanted the votes to be consolidated for the issue of Gorkhaland.  He, however, was not clear if he would stand by his decision to contest as an independent candidate, while maintaining that he had planned to file his nominations on March 31.

SPCC in-charge stresses on leveraging alliance to address regional issues and protect Sikkimese identity

DARJEELING,: Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee in-charge Ranajit Mukherjee welcomed the Hamro Party’ alliance with INDIA bloc, highlighting the strategic advantage of having a “Nepali partner” for their party.

Speaking to the Sikkim Express over phone, Mukherjee said, “This is a very positive development for us as we are getting attached not only with a party from Darjeeling but a Gorkha party. Having a Nepali partner will benefit us electorally in the upcoming election.” 

“Congress, being a national party, has people from all communities including Darjeeling and Sikkim. However, a party which is specifically of the Nepali community will allow us to understand and leverage to bring forward better solutions for the community,” he added.

Mukherjee emphasized the historical affinity between the Congress and the Nepali community, citing past initiatives such as the formation of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council and recognition of the Nepali language in the 8th schedule.

“The affinity of the Congress with the community has been historically strong. With the alliance partnership now, we expect that the contemporary politics and partnership will be stronger,” he said.

He also stressed on leveraging the alliance to address regional issues and protect Sikkimese identity.

“During the Sikkim elections we have one clear mission: to spread the fact that we are the only party which is actually concerned about Sikkimese identity and its protection. The BJP is coming to Sikkim to try and take over and do what they did to Kashmir, and all regional parties there at the end of the day will have to do what the BJP says.”

Mukherjee extended an invitation to Edwards and other Hamro Party leaders to join the Congress campaign in Sikkim.