SNPP LAUNCHED IN SIKKIM FOR ASSOCIATE STATE STATUS

Gangtok, Oct 15: In a new political development, the Sikkim National Peoples’ Party (SNPP) was on Wednesday formally launched expressing its resolve to protect and promote the identity of the Sikkimese people by seeking restoration of the associate state status for the himalayan state as was the case prior to its merger with India in 1975.

Addressing a press conference after the launch of the SNPP, its President Biraj Adhikari defended his party’s stand for review of Sikkim’s merger on the ground that the grant of the associate state status was necessary for maintaining the distinct identity of the himalayan state and its people.

He also sought to question the process of Sikkim’s merger before 1975.

Claiming that the Centre had failed to maintain the distinct identity of Sikkim or protect the interests of the people and the state, Adhikari cited the dilution of the Article 371(F) of the Indian constitution by the Central governments over the years.

Alleging the integration of Sikkim and its people with India has not been realised even 33 years after the Himalayan state’s merger, he said it would be appropriate that the Centre should review the matter and grant Sikkim the status of an associate state.

Adhikari said that his party has launched a signature campaign from today itself for grant of the status of an associate state.

“We hope to get signatures of lakhs of people of Sikkim on the issue and the same would be forwarded to the Centre,” he said.

The SNPP would also seek to make the associate state demand a key political issue in the coming assembly polls in the state early next year, he said.


sOURCE: zEE nEWS
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