BJP ready to ally with Sikkim-based parties

SNS, Gangtok, 29 September: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is ready to forge an alliance with several regional parties of Sikkim for the forthcoming Assembly and general elections, Sikkim’s newly appointed state in-charge Mr Dineshan Goswami said today. 

He said the party is in constant touch with several party leaders from Sikkim to constitute the alliance on the lines of NDA for the 32-member Assembly and the lone Lok Sabha seat. 

“We are in contact with both small and big party leaders and we look forward to go together for the polls. Our overall priority is to perform well while taking up Sikkim specific issues at the national level", Mr Goswami told newsmen on Saturday. 

According to him, leaders of various local parties have held three rounds of discussion with the BJP and have expressed interest to enter into an alliance. 

Mr Goswami however refused to divulge their names. BJP national president Mr Rajnath Singh will hold a special meeting with prospective alliance partners at Kolkata on 1 October, he informed. 

State BJP president Mr Padam Chettri and Yuva Morcha president Ms Shanti Sharma also attended today's interaction. 

“Sikkim’s political situation is similar to that at the Centre. People want change and good governance. Both internal and external security is at stake. Since the mood for change has been set, we want to cross the 270 mark in the Lok Sabha", he said, adding that the party’s PM candidate Mr Narendra Modi may even visit Sikkim during his nationwide campaign ahead of the polls.