On Gandhi Jayanti, Sikkim’s Oppn CAP visits ruling SKM party HQ with message of peace

In a first of its kind in the history of Sikkim politics, an opposition party has reached out to the party in power by visiting its headquarter for the sake of peace and tranquility in the state.

Leaders of the Citizen Action Party (CAP) today visited the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha’s Headquarter wherein deliberations centred on efforts to stay away from any kind of political violence.

CAP leader Mahesh Rai said, “Since today is Gandhi Jayanti we visited SKM office to extend our proposal for peace. Politics should be done according to principles of that particular political party, but in Sikkim that is not happening. But we feel that the ruling party has the responsibility to maintain peace and harmony. Our proposal was that we should not involve in violent acitivities because elections are nearby. Whatever is happening in Sikkim at present is very sad.”

The CAP delegation spoke to the SKM leaders on the grounds that it is the responsibility of the ruling party to ensure that peace prevails at any cost. The CAP leaders during the visit to SKM party HQ also expressed concern over the spurt in violence, especially attacks on political party leaders and workers.

Speaking to Northeast Live, CAP Spokesperson Mahesh Rai alleged that there has been a spike in violence since 2019 when the SKM party came to power. The CAP leader alleged that no action has been taken so far against those involved in such cases.

Rai said, “Till date no action against those miscreants, anti-social elements who were behind such violent activities they have not been punished according to law. Since the ruling party has the responsibility to maintain peace and harmony in the state. Today our visit to the SKM HQ is regarding the recent violence that happened in Soreng against CAP. On Sept 29 the CAP had organised a youth fair at Soreng Bazaar. But in the last hour the venue was changed overnight. Most of our party workers, well wishers had come to attend the event, but their vehicular movement was stopped at Soreng Bazaar, one of our vehicle was damaged by anti-social elements. Those behind the attack, manhandled our workers, they had SKM flags in their vehicles and shouted pro-SKM slogans.”