BJP leader Raju Bista on Monday visited Sikkim and told party workers to strengthen the organisation from the booth level.
Bista, the Darjeeling MP, addressed Sikkim BJP karyakartas at Singtam, in his first visit to the Himalayan state after taking charge as the party's Sikkim in-charge, a press release issued by his office said.
Bista stresses booth-level organisational strengthening
Bista said his "first priority is to listen, to understand the ground reality, hear our karyakartas and work together as one team".
The BJP leader said strengthening the party organisation was important for the party's workers as well as for "strengthening Sikkim and protecting the interests of the people".
He said the immediate organisational focus would be on strengthening the BJP "from booth upwards" and continuing public outreach through the Seva Setu Abhiyan, the release said.
BJP leader highlights Sikkim's development and Article 371F
He described Sikkim as a state with a "rich cultural heritage, diverse people, sensitive ecology and tremendous potential", and said the state was witnessing progress in connectivity, infrastructure, tourism, agriculture, healthcare and education under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Bista also made it clear that Article 371F was a permanent provision of the Constitution and said the BJP would "always respect and uphold it in letter and spirit", the release said.
"While Sikkim and Darjeeling have a shared history, our present and our future are different. We will stand side by side and support each other, but we will not infringe upon each other's political space," Bista said, according to the release.
Bista promises open-door approach to Sikkim workers
The Darjeeling MP assured party workers that his doors would remain open and said he would travel across Sikkim to listen to local issues and work with the state leadership and the wider organisation.
"Under the leadership of BJP National President Nitin Nabin Ji, we will ensure that the BJP's organisational journey moves forward through selfless-seva to the people of Sikkim," Bista said, according to the release.