Usually, when a large number of workers gather at one place, it is either for a Labour Day program or for a workers’ protest or demonstration. Similarly, today, a large number of workers gathered at the Gulmohar picnic spot in Kumrek near Rangpo in East Sikkim. However, the reason behind today’s gathering was neither Labour Day nor any protest or demonstration. Instead, they had assembled to understand what kind of policies and programs the policymakers of the country and the state have envisioned for the welfare of workers, and to choose their rightful representatives.
In fact, today’s gathering was centered around the election campaign for the upcoming विधानसभा चुनाव (Legislative Assembly elections) in the neighboring state of West Bengal. The role of Sikkim’s ruling party, Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM), was quite significant in mobilizing this crowd in support of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is in power at the Centre and the (principal opposition party) in West Bengal. Fulfilling its alliance responsibilities, the SKM party had organized this gathering for the election.
A significant number of workers from West Bengal, employed in various private pharmaceutical factories across Sikkim, were present at the event. Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, along with Darjeeling BJP MP Raju Bista and former MLA Neeraj Zimba, attended the program as election campaigners. From Sikkim, Ministers T.T. Bhutia and Arun Upreti, MLAs Sanjit Kharel and L.B. Das, along with the Chief Minister’s Political Secretaries Jacob Khaling and Bikash Basnet, State Labour Board Chairman Prem Raj Gurung, representatives of the SKM Labour Cell, and others were also present.
At the beginning of the program, while delivering the welcome address, Chief Minister’s Political Secretary Jacob Khaling reminded that the SKM party is a constituent of the NDA alliance at the Centre. He also raised the demand for the renewal of the tenure of private factories operating in Sikkim, which are nearing expiration, for an additional 15 years. He stated that such renewal would benefit both Sikkim and West Bengal.
In his address, MP Raju Bista claimed that he has been raising issues concerning Sikkim in Parliament. He also assured that he would take up the matter of extending the tenure of Sikkim’s factories at the central level, proposing a renewal period of 10 years. He further stated that the Bharatiya Janata Party is the only party that can deliver justice to the Gorkhas. Recalling the contributions of the Gorkha community to the nation, he expressed confidence that the Centre would certainly listen to their concerns. He also informed that just yesterday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, through a video conference, had announced a constitutional and permanent solution for Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and the Terai-Dooars region.
Addressing the gathering as a star campaigner, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat highlighted the significant development Sikkim has achieved during the tenure of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang. He added that the presence of the BJP-led central government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been a key factor behind Sikkim’s development. Referring to the Darjeeling hills as a region with high tourism potential, he said that it could attract international tourists just like Sikkim. However, he claimed that this would only be possible if the TMC is voted out of power and a BJP government is formed, describing the TMC as a party of “goons.”
Encouraging the crowd, the minister asked attendees to switch on their mobile flashlights and chant “Agli Baar Modi Sarkar,” urging them to post it on social media. He also announced two days of paid leave for the workers.
BJP Sikkim state workers and councillors of the Rhenock Nagar Panchayat were also present at the event.
