SSP favours increase in assembly seats for Limbu and Tamang

Gangtok, Nov 24 (UNI) The Sikkim Sangram Parishad (SSP) has favoured increase in the number of assembly seats to provide reservation to the Limbu and Tamang communities.

SSP President Rajendra Upreti told newspersons here yesterday that it was not possible to provide reservation to the two communities without raising the number of assembly seats.

Mr Upreti suggested to convene an all party meeting to decide the number of seats to be increased to resolve the issue and other related matters.

At present, the Assembly has 32 seats, of which 12 are reserved for Bhutia-Lepcha communities, two for SC and one for the Sangha.

The Limbu and Tamang communities, who have been accorded ST status since 2002, have been demanding reservation of assembly seats since then.

The issue had already raised a storm in the state's political scenario with all the parties raising it at in different fora.

Replying to a question, Mr Upreti said, '' As the UPA government is in power at the Centre, the state Congress should take up the matter with their party high command to resolve the issue.'' UNI BD PP SK BS1214