Sikkim: State politicians, K.N. Upreti & Biraj Adhikari joins HSP

GANGTOK | August 6, 2018:

Two veteran Sikkimese politicians namely,  K.N. Upreti and Biraj Adhikari with a political experience of 70 years on Sunday joined Hamro Sikkim Party (HSP). Retired government employee N.K. Dahal, M.B. Rai from Congress and Devika Chettri from State BJP unit had also joined HSP.

They were welcomed into the HSP by vice presidents Bhaichung Bhutia and Ran Bahadur Subba, and other party functionaries during a function held here at HSP head-office, Deorali.

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Adhikari, who was with Sikkim National People's Party (SNPP) as its president, said he always spoke for Sikkim and its people during his 25 years of political career. This step of joining HSP is also for the betterment of Sikkim, he said.
Adhikari, 56 years, contended that 90% of the rights and security of the Sikkimese people have been lost under the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) government. "There is such an environment in Sikkim that there is no hope for our children and grandchildren. If we do not act now, there would be no future for our coming generation," he said.

In his address, former minister K.N. Upreti committed his political experience of 45 years and support to the Hamro Sikkim Party. "I am with HSP from today onwards.  I will remain with HSP for rest of my political career. This is my commitment. We will work hard to fulfil the expectations that HSP have from us, he said.
The 69-year-old politician is a four-term MLA from Rhenock from 1979 till 1999.

Upreti stressed that he never acted against any community during his entire political career and always has a clean image before the public. "We must work collectively in HSP for the interests of the people of Sikkim. We have Article 371F which protects all communities of Sikkim. The provisions of Article 371F can also deliver Nepali seats. Let us go tothe people with good programmes," he said.

Later speaking with media, both Adhikari and Upreti condemned the use of objectionable words against Bhaichung Bhutia from the SDF party and Chief Minister Pawan Chamling.

"In Sikkim it appears that a person has no respect if he or she is not aligned with the ruling party. The words used against Bhaichung Bhutia are deplorable. Whatever name Bhaichung has earned, he has earned through his efforts. He has brought laurels for Sikkim with his own efforts and is a Padmashree awardee," said Adhikari.
Upreti added that one of his reasons for joining the HSP was the public slandering of Bhaichung from the ruling party.

"The kind of words used against Bhaichung Bhutia angered me and I came forward to join the HSP. This cannot be tolerated…the kind of words used by Chamling against Bhaichung reflects poor political culture of SDF. We must show the way to the next generation of proper political culture," said Upreti.

Chamling is known by the people of India but there are seven times more people in India who know Bhaichung, said Upreti. Chamling also says that Bhaichung has no political experience but we are there with our experience with Bhaichung, he added.

"We need good, meaningful change in Sikkim. Bhaichung has come forward in Sikkim with a political party. We need to give hope to the youngsters of Sikkim," said both Upreti and Adhikari.
To a question, the two veteran politicians said they have not demanded any posts in the HSP as a condition to join the party.

To another question, Upreti and Adhikari said there are no immediate probable candidates in HSP for the upcoming 2019 Assembly elections. A committee would be formed by the HSP to study all the probable candidates from each constituency before selecting one candidate who has the maximum chances to win, they said.

Source: Sikkim Express

Featured Image: Sikkim Express