BJP Leader Rejects Sikkim and Darjeeling Merger Rumors

Gangtok: Darjeeling MP and BJP national spokesperson Raju Bista quashed merger rumors on Monday. He confirmed the BJP will protect Article 371F, which guarantees special constitutional safeguards for Sikkim. He spoke to party workers during an organizational meeting held in Singtam.

Bista serves as the party state in-charge for Sikkim. He labeled Article 371F a permanent provision. He distanced the political futures of Sikkim and Darjeeling despite their historical links. "Sikkim and Darjeeling share a history, but their present and future are different. We will stand side by side and support each other, but we will not infringe upon each other's political space," Bista said in a statement.

This event marked his first official duty in the state after replacing Dilip Jaiswal. Bista plans to tour the region to learn about local concerns. He wants to boost party strength from the booth level up. He intends to use the Seva Setu Abhiyan program to widen public outreach. Development efforts under Prime Minister Narendra Modi remain a priority. He cited progress in tourism, healthcare, infrastructure, and agriculture. The party intends to refine its local strategy under the direction of BJP national president Nitin Nabin.