Javadekar has hurt Sikkimese sentiments: SDF

GANGTOK, June 5, 2013

The ruling SDF party has termed the comments of BJP national spokesperson Prakash Javadekar given to Sikkimese media as ‘unfortunate’.

Javadekar, also a Rajya Sabha member, had yesterday accused both Central and State governments of neglecting Sikkim on different issues. He had visited Sikkim on June 2 with the Parliamentary Committee on Defence for a study trip.

Responding to the BJP leader’s claims, SDF spokesperson PD Rai said Javadekar should have understood that ‘Sikkim is a good example of good governance and keeping peace in a strategically border State’. The road conditions is what Javedekar should have spoken on which is primarily the task of the Border Roads Organization, he said.

“He should realise that in making these remarks which are at best off the cuff, he has hurt the sentiments of the people of Sikkim. It is these very kind of statements that keep the North Eastern India on a boil”, said Rai, also the Lok Sabha member from Sikkim.

“May we remind his statements are at odds and indeed not in keeping with the otherwise clean chit given to us by former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee when he visited the State in 2002”, said the SDF spokesperson.

(Courtesy: Sikkim Express)