`Sikkim gesture a part of Marnata's national ambitions'

SNS, SILIGURI.18 MARCH 2018: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee's decision to bury the hatchet and work with Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling is part of her plan to showcase herself in the arena of national politics, a section of political observers, including political leaders, have said here.

"The objective is to showcase herself, as she is not only the leader of West Bengal,but she is also eyeing the Indian Prime Minister's post in the future. She needs support from other states like Sikkim. As a result, she is going to go for good relations with Sikkim so that the state is with her, like a few other states," Siliguri Mayor and veteran CPI-M leader Asok Bhattacharya told The Statesman.

"She had no affection, love and support for Sikkim earlier, had she good relations with the neighbouring state, her party supporters would not have created problems by mounting pressure on Sikkim and taking the path of noncooperation." Mr Bhattacharya said. He was refuting to the recent Gorkhaland agitation and Sikkim's support for GJMM leader Bimal Gurung. It may he mentioned that Sikkim vehicles were allegedly harassed while people from there were also allegedly not allowed to buy goods from Siliguri during the GJMM agitation.

"She should apologize for this, as her party men took the non-cooperation path with the neighboring state during the unrest in the Hills. Both states have good relation since a long period of time. She has broken the relations," he added.

On the other hand, a Sikkim based political observer, who was in Siliguri today, said: "Both Mamata Banerjee and (Sikkim CM) Pawan Chamling are playing game. My personal reading is that the Bengal CM wants to go in for a bigger step against the BJP. She thinks Chamling is fomenting a trouble in the nearby Hills of Darjeeling and Kalimpong.

She may be thinking that is she keeps Chamling under pressure, he will finally seek her cooperation."

"Chamling is also under pressure from the BJP right now Basically he was with the 'Congress Company' and extended support to the BJP-led NDA government as it came to power at the Centre. If Congress comes to power at the Centre, Chamling will go with the Congress. In fact, he will go along with anyone who comes to power at the Centre, including Mamata," the observer said.

"Corruption in Sikkim is huge. The Centre knows he is not the best man for them, and one MP seat holds no meaning for the BJP as it fights in other states," he added.

It may be mentioned that the two chief ministers held a meeting at Uttar kanya here last Friday, where the two leaders decided to bury past differences and work together for the betterment of the two states.