Opposition gives Chamling a day to prove allegations, threatens defamation case

EOI,Gangtok, 15 Oct 2014: The Sikkim Krantikari Morcha has given Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling 24 hours to prove the allegations made by him on Tuesday against opposition MLAs. Chamling had accused SKM MLAs of bringing illegal fertilisers into the state to disprove the SDF government’s pet organic mission project and had directed the Rangpo police on the West Bengal-Sikkim border to check vehicles of opposition MLAs.

Condemning the statement, the SKM on Wednesday called a Press conference in Gangtok and lashed out at the chief minister stating it was irresponsible, unwanted and undemocratic of him to have made such a statement. SKM Press secretary Dilip Rai said the chief minister has not only defamed opposition MLAs but has also disgraced the state’s ministers, governor, chief justice and VIPs with his comments.

Rai said his party leadership has given Chamling 24 hours’ time to prove the allegation and if he fails, the SKM will file a defamation case against him. “The SKM is not against the state’s organic mission, but we are against the false advertisements being published by the SDF government. The organic mission is not a political issue but a scientific one and the government should understand this,” stressed Rai.

Condemning the chief minister’s statement, SKM Sangha MLA Sonam Lama alleged Chamling to be showing double standards. He said the chief minister had urged all state assembly members to work together for the development of the state during the first session of the assembly. “But he himself did not follow his words. Now, if he knows which MLA from the opposition is bringing illegal fertilisers into the state, he should disclose the name of the person,” added Lama. Stating that such irresponsible statements should not come from an incumbent chief minister, he demanded Chamling leave his post.

SKM MLA Shyam Pradhan also ridiculed the statement made by the chief minister saying the opposition was not trying to instigate the farmers, but striving to make them aware of the false promises being made by the government. He further said the SDF government has appointed chairmen and given VIP vehicles to more than 40 people since the formation of the new government. “All these VIP vehicles should also be checked. Who knows if they are the ones who are doing the illegal work!” quipped Pradhan.