‘PPS has nothing to do with Sikkim’

BIJOY GURUNG

Raju Bista says his appointment as Sikkim BJP in-charge should not be read beyond an organisational responsibility

GANGTOK,: Darjeeling Lok Sabha MP Raju Bista, the newly appointed Sikkim BJP in-charge, has said his immediate focus will be on listening to party workers, understanding ground realities and strengthening the BJP organisation across Sikkim before outlining specific priorities for the State unit.

Bista was appointed as the Sikkim State BJP in-charge on September 23. He thanked the BJP national leadership and outlined his priority to work closely with BJP Sikkim State leadership and karyakartas at every level.

In an exclusive online conversation with SIKKIM EXPRESS, Bista described his appointment as a responsibility entrusted to him by the BJP leadership and said he would soon visit Sikkim to meet the State leadership and karyakartas. He said his approach would be to work closely with the State unit while strengthening the party's grassroots presence in municipalities, gram panchayats and constituencies.

The Darjeeling Lok Sabha MP also rejected speculation linking his appointment with the recurring debate over the Darjeeling region's Permanent Political Solution (PPS), maintaining that the issue was specific to Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Terai and Dooars and had no connection with Sikkim.

The following are excerpts from the interview:

Your thoughts on the new role as the Sikkim BJP in-charge, a neighbouring State to your constituency and a region which shares certain similar challenges and prospects…

Bista: I consider this responsibility a matter of great honour and trust given to me by the party leadership. Sikkim and Darjeeling share not just our geography, but also historic, cultural, social and blood ties.

We are neighbours who understand each other's aspirations and challenges closely. Whether it is questions of identity, connectivity, employment, security, development or the concerns of people.

I look forward to visiting Sikkim soon, meeting our Sikkim state party leaders and karyakartas, and understanding the ground realities before speaking further on specific priorities.

For now, my approach will be to listen first and work closely with the state leadership.

Your charge comes at a time when there is a consistent conversation on social media regarding the possibility of Permanent Political Solution (PPS) of Darjeeling region extending to Sikkim. That a person from the very Darjeeling region has been appointed as Sikkim BJP in-charge leads to further speculations. How do you respond to this?

Bista: I would like to categorically state that the Permanent Political Solution is a matter specific to the Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Terai and Dooars region, arising from its own distinct history and demand, and it has nothing to do with Sikkim.

My appointment as Sikkim BJP in-charge is an organisational responsibility given by the party, and it should not be read into beyond that.

Sikkim has its own political history, its own constitutional protections under Article 371F, and its own set of issues that are separate from the Darjeeling PPS matter.

I would request that these two subjects not be mixed up, as doing so does a disservice to both.

Another challenge coming up in less than a year is the panchayat elections in Sikkim. There is lack of clarity so far on whether BJP will seek an alliance with its already NDA partner and ruling party SKM on this upcoming panchayat election. What would be your approach?

Bista: The panchayat elections are still some months away, and any decision on alliance or seat sharing will be taken by the party leadership at the appropriate time, keeping in mind the interest of NDA and the development of Sikkim.

My role at this stage is to strengthen the BJP organisation at the grassroots, in every municipality, gram panchayat and constituency, so that the party is best prepared to serve the interests of the people of Sikkim. 

It is probably for the first time that a person from Nepali-speaking community has been appointed as the BJP in-charge for Sikkim. Therefore, there is enthusiasm among the party cadre as stated in their press statement expressing that your appointment will give momentum to the State unit in Sikkim, particularly in the communication part. Your thoughts and way forward on these expectations of State BJP workers….

Bista: I am deeply touched and honoured by the warmth and enthusiasm shown by our party workers in Sikkim. As a Gorkha myself, I understand the sentiments of the people of Sikkim closely, and I hope this will help me communicate better with our karyakartas and the public.

My focus will be to work closely with state BJP leadership, strengthen internal democracy and communication within the party, and outreach with all sections of the Sikkimese people. We will work to ensure that the benefits of the numerous schemes, policies and projects initiated by the Central Government under the leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji reaches every individual and households. We will act as the bridge between the government and the people.

I would request all our workers to work together as one team to best serve the state of Sikkim and its people. I assure them of my full support and availability.