With the 16th general election fast approaching, the Congress has also launched its campaigning in the Darjeeling hills with full fervour. Congress LS candidate from Darjeeling, Sujay Ghatak, today held a workers’ meeting in Kalimpong where he said development of the hills is the primary agenda of the party.
Speaking to reporters, he said, “Some are going to the chief minister (Mamata Banerjee), while some are opting for Modi. But the Congress is the only party that can promote development, peace and harmony in the hills.”
Citing the visits to Darjeeling by leaders such as Rajiv Gandhi and P Chidambaram, Ghatak claimed the Congress has been playing a major role in coming up with a solution whenever the hills are in trouble.
However, the Congress candidate brushed aside the issue of the party’s hill unit seeking self determination, terming it as the local leaders’ personal opinion. He asserted the policies of the party are determined by the high command in Delhi and there is almost no effect even if regional leaders here demand for a Gorkhaland state. He added reports of the Congress mentioning the issue of statehood or self-governance for Darjeeling is only the personal opinion of the local party leadership.
Highlighting the party’s development activities, Ghatak said the Balasan water project will solve the problem of water scarcity in Darjeeling to a large extent. He said the GTA is not being allowed to function properly due to undue interference by the state government, claiming only central projects are running well in the area.
The workers’ meeting was also addressed by hill Congress president Saroj Khatri, vice-president Daniel Lepcha and secretary Kiran Mukhia, among others.
Source: EOI
Speaking to reporters, he said, “Some are going to the chief minister (Mamata Banerjee), while some are opting for Modi. But the Congress is the only party that can promote development, peace and harmony in the hills.”
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| Congress LS candidate from Darjeeling Sujay Ghatak |
However, the Congress candidate brushed aside the issue of the party’s hill unit seeking self determination, terming it as the local leaders’ personal opinion. He asserted the policies of the party are determined by the high command in Delhi and there is almost no effect even if regional leaders here demand for a Gorkhaland state. He added reports of the Congress mentioning the issue of statehood or self-governance for Darjeeling is only the personal opinion of the local party leadership.
Highlighting the party’s development activities, Ghatak said the Balasan water project will solve the problem of water scarcity in Darjeeling to a large extent. He said the GTA is not being allowed to function properly due to undue interference by the state government, claiming only central projects are running well in the area.
The workers’ meeting was also addressed by hill Congress president Saroj Khatri, vice-president Daniel Lepcha and secretary Kiran Mukhia, among others.
Source: EOI
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