Merger Impossible: Golay

ISABELLA GURUNG

Golay warns against attempts to vitiate Sikkim-Darjeeling ties

GANGTOK,: Chief Minister PS Golay on Thursday ruled out any possibility of a merger between Sikkim and Darjeeling, calling the idea “impossible” and accusing opposition parties of spreading what he described as “fake propaganda” to mislead people for political gains.

Golay said attempts to link Sikkim with any proposed merger were not only aimed at creating fear and insecurity among the people but also threatened to strain the traditionally friendly and brotherly relationship between Sikkim and Darjeeling.

Addressing the State-level Indrajatra 2026 celebration at Manan Kendra here, the Chief Minister said different groups were deliberately spreading narratives concerning Sikkim’s constitutional safeguards and identity.

“This (merger) is an impossible thought. Sikkim has a special status in India and has Article 371F as its constitutional shield. Under no circumstances can Sikkim be merged with another State, and neither will we allow it. This government will stand resolute and protect Sikkim. We will not allow even an inch of our land to be taken away,” Golay said.

He further alleged that various groups were attempting to defame Sikkim for political gains by repeatedly spreading what he termed a “fake propaganda” about a possible merger.

“Yes, time and again there are attempts to intimidate us. But all those things are becoming clear today, being exposed. All the people of Sikkim are realizing it. On various occasions, they try to misguide the public by spreading propaganda,” Golay said.

The Chief Minister’s remarks come amid renewed political discourse surrounding the idea of a merger of Sikkim and Darjeeling, an issue that has periodically resurfaced in political and public discussions in the region.

The latest flare-up followed the association of Sikkim’s Chief Economic Advisor and noted academician Prof Mahendra P Lama with a proposal for the creation of a separate North Bengal State and/or a State comprising “contiguous areas of neighbouring States”.

Golay said Sikkim and Darjeeling shared friendly ties and accused opposition groups of attempting to vitiate the relationship by promoting what he described as a false narrative.

Without elaborating on the specific groups behind the latest merger-related discourse, Golay linked it to what he described as a broader pattern of propaganda concerning Sikkim’s constitutional protections.

Referring to the controversy that followed the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision concerning income-tax exemption for old settlers in Sikkim, Golay said a similar narrative had been created at the time, claiming that Article 371F and Sikkim’s special constitutional protections had been diluted.

“When Sikkim's old traders, the old settlers, obtained income-tax exemption, even then a rumour was spread that Article 371F is gone,” he said.

Golay asserted that Article 371F remained intact and that the protection of Sikkim Subject and domicile holders continued to be reflected in government recruitment provisions.

“Article 371F remains intact; it hasn’t gone anywhere. Not even a comma of Article 371F can be changed. This is a certainty, and even they know it,” he said.

Citing recruitment to government posts as an example, Golay said eligibility provisions continued to restrict regular government employment to those holding Sikkim Subject or domicile status, while outsiders could be engaged on a contractual basis when required.

“Under that same provision, for any post, even a peon’s post, only Sikkim Subject/Domicile holders are eligible to apply. But occasionally, depending on the necessity, people can be hired on a contract basis, on contract, not regular,” Golay said.

“Contract does not mean regular service,” he added.

The Chief Minister also cited the regularisation of workers engaged under the previous government’s ‘One Family One Job’ scheme as another instance where he alleged that misinformation had been spread against his government.

He said his government had fulfilled its pre-election commitment to regularise workers engaged before 2019 under the scheme and accused opponents of subsequently attempting to create confusion over the government’s notification.

According to Golay, the government had defended the workers in court despite legal challenges, maintaining that many of them came from economically disadvantaged families.

“Our government defended those workers in court. We maintained that these workers come from poor households and underprivileged families who need support, and terminating them would be unjust,” he said.

He also alleged that opponents later scrutinised the wording of the regularisation notification and used phrases such as “may be” to claim that regularisation was not guaranteed.

“They spread propaganda asking, ‘Where will the money for salaries come from? It’s impossible to regularize 28,000 workers.’ They even posted our official notification on social media. I later addressed and refuted all of that in Rangpo,” Golay said.

The Chief Minister said the latest developments, including those concerning recruitment and employment protections, should be viewed against what he described as repeated attempts to create uncertainty among the people of Sikkim.

“Piece by piece, the truth gets exposed, showing what is a lie, what is deception, and what is propaganda,” he said.

Golay urged the people of Sikkim to examine such claims rather than accept what he described as politically motivated narratives.

His remarks place the ongoing debate over Sikkim’s identity, constitutional safeguards and its relationship with neighbouring Darjeeling within a broader political contest over competing narratives concerning the State’s special status.