Darjeeling MLA wants portrait of its longest serving MLA in state assembly

SNS, DARJEELING, 21 MARCH 2022 : Darjeeling MLA Neeraj Zimba today wrote to West Bengal Legislative Assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee, demanding that a portrait of the late Deo Prakash Rai be installed on the premises of the Assembly

According to Mr Zimba the late Rai was popularly called as the 'Not Out MLA as he was the longest serving member of the Bengal Assembly

In a press release, Mr Zimba said, "I have written to the Hon'ble Speaker of West Bengal Legislative Assembly about the installation of a portrait of former Darjeeling MLA, the late Deo Prakash Rai, be installed on the premises inside the WB Assembly premises.

I have mentioned about the immense contribution, achievements and political legacy of Rai as an esteemed member of the Assembly. He was elected MLA from Darjeeling for seven consecutive times from 1957 until his death in 1977." The press release stated that Rai was born in Tukvar Tea Estate in Darjeeling and was made minister in the Bengal government cabinet  in 1967, 1969 and 1971. A multi-faced personality, Rai founded the Darjeeling Chiya Kaman Shramik Sangha to work for the welfare of the Tea Garden workers. A World War-II veteran having served under the Gorkha Brigade, Deo Prakash

Rai was also the patron of the Darjeeling Cultural Institute and has written many poems and short stories in Nepali language I have mentioned in the letter that, it will be a befitting honour for a political stalwart like D P Rai if the Speaker could kindly consider and take immediate initiative for the installation of his portrait inside the premises of the Bengal Assembly" said Mr Zimba in the press release.