SDF using Bhaichung for political gains: SKM

GANGTOK,: The ruling SKM on Saturday maintained that opposition SDF is shooting its gun from the shoulders of Bhaichung Bhutia for political gains over the new Namchi hospital project controversy.
“The SDF is an expert in political stunts and now is trying to gain political mileage by supporting Bhaichung Bhutia. The SKM values Bhaichung as an icon of Sikkim at international level and can proudly say that Bhaichung brought recognition for Sikkim,” said Shital Rai, secretary, publicity wing of SKM.
“However, the SKM has never disrespected such a decorated person by saying he is a ‘player who plays on hire’ and would not do so. In 2018, when Bhaichung had just floated his political party, SDF head Pawan Chamling had publicly defamed him by stating ‘Bhaichung Bhutia plays football on hire and now he will play football with Sikkim Janta’,” said the SKM publicity secretary. She questioned how the SDF spokespersons can now suddenly claim Bhaichung as a jewel of Sikkim having denigrated him in past.
Bhaichung is in the centre of a controversy over the new Namchi hospital project. Earlier this week on Wednesday, a group of women burnt his effigy to protest his statements over the project at Namchi.
The SKM suggests the SDF not to shoot its gun from Bhaichung’s shoulder for their political gains, said Rai. She added that the SDF spokespersons should ask their party president on why no hospital was built in his Namchi-Singithang constituency where he was elected as the MLA for 25 years.
“The SKM government is committed for public service and public welfare. It is easy for opposition parties to criticize while sitting in their houses but it is difficult to come out and work in the field. We suggest the SDF spokespersons not to do anti-people talk from the confines of their rooms,” said the SKM publicity wing secretary.