Will fight for 'permanent political solution' in Darjeeling:

Stressing that a "permanent political solution" is the need of the hour in the Hills, Raju Singh Bisht, the BJP candidate from Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat, has said he would strive to ensure smooth implementation of NRC in the region if his party is voted to power in Bengal.

Bisht, however, remained non-committal on the long-standing demand of a separate statehood.

The National Register of Citizens (NRC) aims to separate genuine Indian citizens from illegal migrants.

Noting that the election in the Hills will be a fight to restore democracy, Bisht said people are vying to "give a befitting reply to the TMC government for the atrocities it committed on the Gorkhas".

"People here will vote for restoration of democracy in the Hills. They haven't forgotten the atrocities committed by the TMC during the 104-day-long agitation (over statehood)," Bisht told PTI in an interview.

Asked if he would take up the issue of a separate Gorkhaland if voted to power, Bisht said, "We would work towards a permanent political solution, benefitting all people in the Hills."
Talking about his plans for development in the region, Bisht said, "I would work to ensure smooth implementation of NRC in the Hills to stop the demography from changing. People from outside have been settling down here, causing problems to the original residents."