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Kalimpong, May 24: The Sikkim Darjeeling United Action Forum today accused Pawan Chamling of influencing associations and individuals against it.
The statement comes after some local dailies reported that certain organisations based here labelled the forum a “trouble maker”. They reportedly distributed pamphlets, warning people to keep a safe distance from the forum.

The coordinator of the forum, R. Moktan, said: “It is not we who are anti-national as Chamling told one newspaper. Rather, it is the Sikkim chief minister who is an anti-national. Chamling had, in three public meetings, said the people of the hills should be thrown out Sikkim. Any person living in India can work anywhere he wants to.”

The forum, which consists of the ABGL, CPM, Gorkha National Congress and the Sikkim-based Sikkim National Front (SNF), was formed to make Chamling withdraw his statement that “outsiders will not be allowed to work in Sikkim”.

According to Moktan, the individuals and associations now canvassing against the forum had been “bought” by Chamling.

“They don’t understand the gravity of the statement. We have enough proof to suggest that Chamling is funding these people. How can people who have very little financial resources print pamphlets against us,” said Moktan.

The forum coordinator also lashed out at GNLF MLA Gaulan Lepcha. The MLA, while describing Chamling’s statement “uncalled for”, had condemned the six-point protest programme of the forum.

Has he forgotten that his own chief, Subash Ghisingh, had accused the Chamling-led Sikkim government of being involved in his assassination bid?” said Moktan.

Echoing him, ABGL member Pratap Khati said: “These people will be responsible if Chamling actually throws out the hill residents from Sikkim. We will continue our programme until he withdraws his statement.”