Sikkim CM Denies Merger Claims with Darjeeling, Reaffirms Special Status under Article 371F

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 6th Feb. Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang has dismissed claims of a merger between Sikkim and Darjeeling, calling them baseless and false. Speaking after the state legislative assembly session, CM Tamang assured that Sikkim’s autonomy would continue to be safeguarded under Article 371F of the Indian Constitution.

Tamang firmly rejected the rumours, stating, “This is known to everyone, every Sikkimese. Even those spreading those rumours have claimed the merger will never happen. It is not possible.” He added that the opposition, lacking pressing issues, resorts to spreading such unfounded speculations.

Earlier this week, during the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha party’s foundation day, the Chief Minister reiterated, “There is no merger happening between Sikkim and Darjeeling. We are protected by Article 371F. Neither can any state take over Sikkim nor can any other region be a part of Sikkim… Sikkim has its own identity, Darjeeling has its own identity.”

Regarding the delegation heading to New Delhi on February 10, demanding tribal status for 12 left-out communities, Tamang clarified that no representatives from Darjeeling Hills would be part of the group. In the past, delegations advocating for the Limboo Tamang communities’ tribal status included Darjeeling representatives, but the current delegation would exclusively represent Sikkimese communities.

“The meeting, initially scheduled in Kolkata, has now been moved to New Delhi as we have the necessary infrastructure there (Sikkim House). Our representation will only be for Sikkimese communities,” Tamang explained.

However, the Chief Minister also noted that while Darjeeling would not be represented in the delegation, both Sikkim and Darjeeling would collectively push for the tribal status for the communities. “It will be a good pressure collectively on the central government,” he added.

The opposition Citizen Action Party had earlier questioned the state government’s approach of liaising with Darjeeling MP Raju Bista for the tribal status demand instead of engaging with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.