'Special circumstances in Sikkim must be understood: BJP leader on UDF

Gangtok, Feb 19: BJP party in-charge for Northeastern States Harendra Pratap today said that the party does not have any 'problems' in sharing an alliance in Sikkim with other parties, whether national or regional, for the forthcoming Assembly elections.
"We must understand the special circumstances that prevail in Sikkim where the national opposition parties do not even record 3 percent votes in the elections and the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) has won around 70 percent votes", said Mr. Pratap in a press meet.
Commenting on the recent formation of United Democratic Front (UDF) by State units of Congress, BJP and CPIM along with two regional parties, Sikkim Gorkha Prajatantrik Party (SGPP) and Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad (SHRP), the BJP leader said the alliance is understandable considering the 'special circumstances that prevail in Sikkim where the opposition leaders are not allowed to stand up'.
It may be added here that UDF had been formed by the above parties to 'ensure a free and fair election' and also to reach a 'tactical understanding' in the coming Assembly elections.
"We don't have any problems (on the alliance) but the problem is with other parties (CPIM and Congress). We don't believe in untouchablity", stated Mr. Pratap adding realistically that BJP cannot contest on all the 32 Assembly seats in the forthcoming elections. He also accused the ruling SDF party of suppressing the opposition parties and concluded that a united approach from the opposition parties is a necessity.
"We do not have any objections if the leaders of the State units form a united election strategy in Sikkim. They should form a strategy where they should support candidates unitedly instead of contesting against each other", said Mr. Pratap. Alliance is one thing but common political strategy is another thing, he said.
However, the BJP leader also said that the leaders of the State units should not be seen in one platform. We don't want leaders of CPIM, BJP and Congress sharing space in one platform, he said. And there is no question of seat sharing either, he said.