Former Foreign Secretary Emphasizes Strategic Importance of Darjeeling Lok Sabha Seat

Former foreign secretary Harsha Vardhan Sringhla has stressed the strategic importance of the Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat in West Bengal, highlighting its proximity to India's borders with Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and China. Sringhla, who hails from Darjeeling, stated that the region is a strategic and vulnerable part of the country, with Siliguri being a critical corridor.

Ahead of the April 26 elections, Sringhla emphasized the need for enhanced coordination with state and local authorities for the development of the region. "Darjeeling and North Bengal have faced acute neglect and discrimination by successive state governments, leading to resentment among the people, especially the Gorkhas in the hills," Sringhla said.

Under the Modi government, the region has witnessed significant development with over Rs 50,000 crore of infrastructure projects being implemented, including a new airport terminal, a ring road, and Vande Bharat trains. Sringhla noted that the long-pending issue of a permanent political solution for the Gorkhaland demand and the enlistment of Gorkha communities as Scheduled Tribes are priorities that the BJP is committed to addressing.

Why this matters: The Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat holds strategic importance due to its location near the borders of four countries. The development and stability of this region have implications for India's national security and international relations in the sensitive border areas.

Looking ahead, Sringhla outlined priorities for the next five years, which include improving healthcare infrastructure, setting up quality educational institutions, rebooting the economy and creating jobs, and effectively managing the India-Bangladesh border to curb cross-border crime, drug trafficking, and illegal infiltration. The BJP has renominated the sitting MP, Raju Bista, who won the seat in 2019 with a significant margin, to contest the upcoming election in Darjeeling.

Key Takeaways

• Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat is strategically crucial due to its proximity to 4 borders.
• The region has faced neglect and discrimination by successive state govts, causing resentment.
• Under Modi govt, over Rs 50,000 crore invested in infrastructure projects in the region.
• BJP committed to resolving Gorkhaland demand and Gorkha communities' Scheduled Tribe status.
• BJP renominated sitting MP Raju Bista to contest the upcoming election in Darjeeling.