Will fight elections if parties want, says Harka

SNS, KALIMPONG, 2 March 2019: As the crucial parliamentary elections knock, the president of the Jan Andolan Party. Dr H.B. Chettri, has said that a grouping of 16 parties in the Hills should meet soon to discuss and finalise a consensus candidate who would contest the Lok Sabha elections for the Darjeeling seat. Dr Chettri also said that he would contest the elections it the grouping, All Party Unity for Protection of Democratic Rights (APUPDR) decides to field him.

"Several meetings have been conducted to discuss democracy, while a sole person is eventually required to voice the issues (like democracy) in the parliament. Therefore, a meeting to exclusively discuss the 'son/ daughter of the soil' is a must at this hour," Dr Chettri said. "We have wasted enough elections, and we don't want to waste this one," he added.

"I have never said that I will refuse if all the parties unanimously decide on me being the candidate. The point here is, if there is anybody better than us, then we will support them... that is the reason why we have been taking this initiative and want an all-party decision. Our party will also definitely look for a candidate of our own, but we have to discuss on one capable candidate," he added.

As Kalimpong town has already started discussing the matter and has been wondering who could be a consensus candidate, JAP appealed to everybody (from common people to working organizations) to come forward with suggestions about the candidate.