Congress torches Governor's effigy

Gangtok, Aug 4 (UNI) Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee (SPCC) today torched Governor V Rama Rao in effigy at the party headquarters protesting against his failure to use special constitutional powers for resolving the ongoing hunger strike by Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT).

''He (Mr Rao) is no longer the Governor of Sikkim for us from today,'' said SPCC President Nar Bahadur Bhandari.

Recently, a delegation of Congress party and other opposition parties had met the Governor requesting him to use his special powers under Article 371 F to resolve the hunger strike by ACT members, which started from June 20.

ACT members are presently on a hunger strike protesting the proposed implementation of mega power projects in Dzongu, North Sikkim.

''The Governor told us that he is not aware of his special powers under Article 371 F (G) of the Indian Constitution,'' Mr Bhandari said.

''The Governor, who does not know his special powers under Article 371 F, has no right to stay as a Governor in Sikkim. He should go back to his state. This is the message from SPCC to the Prime Minister,'' Mr Bhandari said.

Congress members shouted slogans like 'Governor go back' while torching the effigy. Black flags were also hosted in the SPCC headquarters against the Governor.

The SPCC urged the people to come out in the open to protest against the SDF government, who, the party said, is heralding disaster in Sikkim through mega power projects.

The SPCC President warned that the movement against the SDF government had started and would continue in coming days.

UNI