Gangtok: All India Congress Committee (AICC) national spokesperson Mathew Antony, currently in Sikkim overseeing the party’s preparations for the upcoming Assembly and Lok Sabha elections in 2024 urged the people of Sikkim not to be swayed by what he termed as misleading guarantees and promises of the Modi government.
Antony criticized the Modi government’s “Modi Ki Guarantee” campaign, labeling it as “white lies.” He highlighted the issue of unemployment crisis across the nation, including in Sikkim, and accused the BJP government of failing to address it adequately. He also expressed concerns about the rising rates of cooking fuel, petrol, and diesel, attributing it to the government’s policies including the imposition of GST on essential items.
Furthermore, Antony criticized Prime Minister Modi for not visiting Manipur amidst prolonged civil unrest. He accused the BJP of compromising institutions such as the Election Commission of India (ECI), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Enforcement Directorate (ED), and the judiciary to suppress the opposition, citing recent arrests of Chief Ministers Hemant Soren and Arvind Kejriwal.
Antony expressed confidence in the INDIA alliance, asserting that the BJP would fail in the 2024 elections, and the alliance would form the next government at the Centre.
Regarding Sikkim, Antony emphasized the special Constitutional provisions protected under Article 371F. He raised concerns about the BJP government’s actions towards Article 370 and urged the people of Sikkim to consider the alliance’s commitment to protecting their special rights and identity under Article 371F.
Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee (SPCC) chairman and Lok Sabha candidate, Gopal Chettri, echoed Antony’s sentiments, emphasizing that the Congress is the only party capable of safeguarding Article 371F and restoring it to its original form.
Chettri pledged to raise the issues of Sikkim in Parliament if elected, promising to work towards amending Central Acts that have diluted Article 371F.
Chettri also mentioned the forthcoming launch of the 2024 election manifesto, which will outline the promises and programs of the Congress party for Sikkim.
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