Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee refutes CM allegations

GANGTOK: Convenor of Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee (SBLAC), Tseten Tashi Bhutia, has refuted the recent allegations made by state chief minister Pawan Chamling on the Committee.

“Chief minister Chamling is blaming us for his failure to secure Assembly seat reservation for Limboo-Tamang community. He also failed to do the same with 11 other communities. His statement is totally false. We want to condemn it. We are not against it and we have never talked anything related to it,” Tseten Tashi Bhutia said.

On the circulated pictures of the convener along with two SKM MLAs meeting union home minister Rajnath Singh, he said, “These are all false. Even the date is wrong. We are being labeled as making talks in favour of the Limboo-Tamang seat reservation. The chief minister needs to come forth with a proof. The day he comes forth with a proof, I will ban SIBLAC organization and seek an apology.”

“Yes, we did meet him, but it was on September 26, 2016 and not in 2018. We met him to place a demand for equal reservation for Bhutia and Lepcha communities, if the Assembly seats were being expanded to 40 from the current 32,” he stated.

He also termed the accusation that Bhutia is a “Nepali-Virodhi (anti-Neplai)” as false. “We are not against Nepali community. If we are, then they can either hang me or shoot me,” he added.

On openly extending support to SKM in 2014, he stated, “This time when the time is right we will let everyone know whom we are supporting.”