Gorkha National Congress Revives Sikkim-Darjeeling Unification Debate, Accuses SDF of Secret Support

The Gorkha National Congress (GRC) has once again brought forward startling claims regarding the proposed Sikkim-Darjeeling unification, asserting that it is not a mere spontaneous demand but a Deliberately crafted political strategy supported by influential leaders over the years. In a major revelation, GRC’s “Subodh Pakhrin” presented evidence from a 2012 national newspaper report, implicating former Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling in the unification agenda. According to GRC, Chamling,then the leader of the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) and a key ally of the UPA government was allegedly entrusted with advancing the merger proposal in coordination with Congress leader Deepa Dasmunshi. If these claims hold true, it would confirm that the unification movement is not just a local aspiration but a deeply rooted political maneuver. Adding further, Chamling’s recent meeting with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has fueled suspicions. Banerjee explicitly stated that their discussion was “political,”. Raising concerns that unification may have been a central topic. The fact that GRC intensified its push for unification immediately after this meeting suggests a deliberate political strategy rather than a coincidence. GRC has also accused the SDF of publicly staying neutral while secretly supporting the unification movement. Chamling’s past actions, especially his proposal in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly supporting Gorkhaland, are now being questioned. At the same time, the ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) has strongly opposed the unification, deepening the political divide in Sikkim. The persistent revival of the unification debate reflects the deep-seated political instability in Darjeeling. The prolonged failure to achieve a separate Gorkhaland state has led some leaders to see unification with Sikkim as a viable alternative. However, this notion is widely rejected by the people of Sikkim, while Darjeeling’s residents continue to prioritize the demand for Gorkhaland over any merger proposal.