Darjeeling, 23rd October: Darjeeling MP Raju Bista, in a press release, announced his participation in the ‘Vijay Sankalp Nomination Rally’ supporting BJP candidate Rahul Lohar for the Madarihat by-election. Bista emphasized the party’s commitment to rapid development across all villages in Madarihat and the introduction of a ‘Zero Tolerance to Corruption’ policy to ensure honest governance devoid of cut-money and corruption.
Bista criticized the Trinamool Congress (TMC) for systematic discrimination against North Bengal, stating that the region has been treated like a colonial outpost, exploited for resources while basic infrastructure, healthcare, and education remain neglected. He highlighted the plight of tea garden workers, who suffer from low wages and lack of social security.
The BJP, according to Bista, aims to champion the rights of tea garden workers by securing Parja Patta rights for ancestral lands and ensuring land rights for forest villagers as per the Forest Rights Act of 2006. He outlined plans for the implementation of the Four New Labour Codes, which include a ‘Code on Wages’ designed to automatically increase workers’ salaries, along with scholarships for the children of tea garden workers.
Bista reassured residents that the BJP government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has prioritized North Bengal’s development, promising the construction of a much-needed Road-over-Bridge (ROB) at MG Road, Birpara, and addressing environmental issues like dolomite sliding and pollution.
The MP also discussed initiatives to boost self-employment and rural entrepreneurship through the ‘Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana’ and promote Rural Homestay Tourism via ‘Incredible India.’ He expressed a commitment to enhancing employment opportunities and skills training for Madarihat’s youth through the ‘Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana.’
Bista called on the people of the Madarihat Legislative Assembly constituency to unite with the BJP, urging them to decisively defeat TMC and pave the way for a new dawn in Bengal, free from corruption and political nepotism.
The rally was attended by Alipurduar MP Manoj Tigga, MLAs Vishal Lama, Manoj Kumar Oraon, Sukumar Roy, along with prominent citizens and party workers from Madarihat.
