Sikkim CM supports Gorkhaland demand

KOLKATA: Sikkim chief minister Pawan Chamling has queered the pitch for his Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee by offering support to the demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland.

Chamling, who has been in power in Sikkim for nearly 23 years, wrote a letter to home minister Rajnath Singh on June 20 and on Thursday posted the letter on his Facebook page.

“We all are aware that Sikkim and Darjeeling share a very close bond with similarities of language, culture, tradition, caste, food habits, etc. As immediate neighbours, we Sikkimese wish them well forever…We have always been there for the people of Darjeeling hills in times of need and we reiterate that they have our all-out support for the demand of separate state of Gorkhaland,” the 66-year-old politician wrote. The post was shared by about 1,100 people in the first three hours.

“The past three uproarious decades of agitation for the statehood demand in the neighbouring hills has claimed more than 1,000 lives and caused incalculable loss of property and constant threat to security of life,” Chamling wrote to Rajnath. “The fulfillment of the constitutional demand of the people of Darjeeling hills, which is deeply connected with the national identity of the Indian Gorkhas, will provide long-awaited justice to their patriotism,” he added. “Creation of Gorkhaland state will also restore permanent peace and prosperity in the region and Sikkim will be hugely benefitted.”

Chamling’s support to the Gorkhaland movement is likely to add to Banerjee’s headaches. The Bengal government is aware that activists of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha and other hill parties have unhindered access to Sikkim from where they can get logistic support. This will only prolong the agitation.

Over the past week, Sikkim has witnessed rallies where people expressed solidarity with the Gorkhaland movement.