SIKKIM OBSERVER  June 30, 2012

Defiant Golay takes on Chamling, raises ‘black flag’ in Assembly

Protests suppression of democratic rights

Gangtok, June 29: Defiance has led to confrontation. And rebel leader PS Golay seems set to take on Chief Minister and SDF President Pawan Chamling.

The four-day budget session of the Assembly became a virtual battle field for the two men who hitherto have been engaged in shadow boxing.  For Golay it was a dramatic moment to start his race for the top job. For the first time since he took over as Chief Minister in 1994 Chamling faces a revolt within his party that has the potential to rock his boat.

The open confrontation was visible on the first day (Monday) of the Assembly session when Golay defiantly stayed put on his seat and refused to acknowledge Chamling’s presence while other members of the House got up when the Leader of the House re-entered the Assembly after seeing off the Governor, BP Singh.

The second day’s point-by-point attack on the budget, presented by Chamling, led to personal confrontation between the two on the third day of the session.

Golay raised a black ‘flag’ – a symbol of protest – in the Assembly on the fourth and final day of the session when he was forcefully taken out from the House by the marshals on Speaker KT Gyaltsen’s instructions for creating nuisance and disturbances.

The rebel leader attacked Chamling where it hurt him most – corruption, mismanagement and democracy. Golay claimed that he was removed from the House as he had documentary evidence to prove Chamling’s misdeeds.

He said the Speaker’s refusal to allow him to speak was proof enough that there was no freedom of speech and democracy in Sikkim.

The four-day’s high-pitched drama in the Assembly, which spilled into the streets of the capital, has given the rebel leader enough issues and ammunition to lead an anti-Chamling campaign in the State in the coming days and months to come.

THE SPEAKER’S DILEMMA

Gangtok, June 29: Many observers of this week’s drama in the Assembly hailed Speaker KT Gyaltsen for allowing dissident ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) leader PS Golay (Tamang) to speak on the second and third day of the budget session.

However, when the Speaker asked Golay to leave the House for creating nuisance and disturbances on the final day many vehemently criticized the Speaker’s decision to gag free speech in the Assembly.

The local press, too, strongly criticized the Speaker’s decision  not to allow them to re-enter the House after Golay’s removal. It also slammed the Speaker for speaking against press coverage of the Assembly in the House.

Reacting to this, three-time chief minister and State Congress President NB Bhandari alleged that there was a ‘conspiracy’ to evict Golay from the House as he was openly taking on Chamling and exposing him and his party’s anti-Sikkimese activities.

Ironically, by first allowing him to speak freely in the Assembly and then finally marshalling him out the dissident legislator suddenly and dramatically emerged as the only opposition leader who seemed ready and eager to take on Chamling head-on and thus satisfy a vast majority of the people who have been patiently waiting for someone to take a bold stand against Chamling, who till this week seemed most invincible.

PRESS IN PROTEST MODE

Gangtok, June 29: Local journalists were up in arms on Thursday when they were refused re-entry into the Assembly after they left the House to get PS Golay’s reaction after the rebel leader was literally thrown out of the House for allegedly creating disturbances during Assembly proceedings.

The Press was also angered by the manner in which the Speaker, KT Gyaltsen, Leader of the House Pawan Chamling and other legislators lambasted members of the Fourth Estate for their alleged incorrect and ‘misleading’ reporting of the Assembly proceedings, which apparently went in Golay’s favour.

More than three dozen journalists hurriedly met here on Thursday and condemned these developments and registered their protest. They alleged that their right to report was being suppressed.

“Breach of security” was the reason given for disallowing the local media’s re-entry into the Assembly.

The legislators want appropriate action taken against newspapers which had not given a correct coverage of Assembly proceedings.

Bhandari backs Golay, calls for opposition unity

Gangtok, June 29: Former Chief Minister and State Congress President Nar Bahadur Bhandari has reiterated his call for opposition unity to take on Chief Minister Pawan Chamling.

When his former colleague and former Lok Sabha MP Pahalman Subba asked him what his next political move is in the light of PS Golay’s open challenge to Pawan Chamling, Bhandari reminded him that he had recently given a call for all opposition leaders to come together on a single platform to face the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front, which is enjoying its fourth consecutive term.

Reacting to the Assembly drama, Bhandari not only termed “unfortunate” PS Golay’s unceremonious exit from the Assembly on the last day of the budget session but alleged that there was a “conspiracy” to ensure that he was not heard in the Assembly. The whole episode was “pre-planned”, he said.

Referring to his call for opposition unity, Bhandari said he was in touch with like-minded opposition leaders and others on the issue and was hopeful of a positive response from the people to his proposal.

Even veteran politician RC Poudyal recently said his support to Golay was “conditional”. The former minister said, “I will support him if he proves that he is capable of leading a united front to dislodge Chamling.”

Asked to comment on the Assembly episode, Subba, once one of Chamling’s key advisors, said this week’s developments in the Assembly are an indication that things are falling apart for the SDF chief.

Thrice betrayed, Sikkimese have no high hopes on next chief minister

WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOUR

Jigme N Kazi

When asked whether former minister and dissident ruling Sikkim Democratic Front leader PS Golay would bring the much-needed change in Sikkim, once a staunch supporter of the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front said, “We are not concerned with what happens next. He (Chamling) has let us down; we just want to throw him out.”

Such reactions are a reflection of the anger and disappointment of many Sikkimese over what has happened to Sikkim in the past four decades. Arguably, most bonafide Sikkimese have a very grim view of Sikkim’s future. “The Sikkimese have been divided over casteist and communal lines and Sikkim has been thoroughly destroyed with the implementation of numerous hydel projects,” said a former chief engineer. “There is no future for Sikkim’s future generations,” he added.

Lhendup Dorji Kazi, Sikkim’s first chief minister’s promises of ushering in ‘democracy’ and ‘janta raj’ in the early 1970s seems hollow given the fact that after him two men – NB Bhandari and Pawan Kumar Chamling –  ruled the former kingdom for nearly three and half decades (1979-2012) at a stretch.

For many Sikkimese, including the majority Sikkimese Nepalese, Kazi’s definition of ‘democracy’ meant greater political power and economic rights for Sikkimese Nepalese but within Sikkim and not as part of India.
Bhandari’s Sikkim (Janta) Parishad was formed to redress the grievances of a people betrayed by its own (Kazi) government (1974-1979). The Parishad promised ‘de-merger’. “Desh Farkaow” (return Sikkim) was its political slogan.

However, as soon as it came to power on Oct 18, 1979 the Parishad government openly declared that ‘merger was a fait-accompli’. The demand on political rights of the Sikkimese Nepalese through restoration of Assembly seat reservation, which was lost in 1979, raised when Bhandari returned to power in March 1985, was gradually buried when Bhandari projected himself as the undisputed leader of the one crore Indian Nepalese.

Bhandari’s dictatorial tendencies and rampant corruption in the administration paved way for his own downfall in May 1994 when dissident legislators of his ruling Sikkim Sangram Parishad (SSP – merged to Congress in 2003) toppled his government.

Waiting in the wings for an opportune moment was dissident SSP leader Pawan Chamling, who in early 1993 formed his own political outfit (Sikkim Democratic Front), took on Bhandari, and came to power in December 1994. With the OBCs and tribals as his political base, Chamling’s main issues against Bhandari were restoration of freedom and democracy and eradication of corruption in high places. Ironically, Chamling’s critics and political rivals are raising the same issues against him and people are believing them.

Corruption has reached its peak, one-man-rule has not changed much and local Sikkimese’ future survival in the land of their origin have been threatened as never before.

Having fought and lost the battle for distinct identity of Sikkim and Sikkimese within India, I, a few years back during a seminar in Gangtok, said, “I have (painfully and gracefully) accepted the death of my dreams.” I still stand by this statement and I’m sure many Sikkimese feel the same way.

Having been betrayed three times in the past four decades the Sikkimese people are now thoroughly disillusioned with their political leadership. They now do not trust, rely or hope on anyone. They have no more illusions and, therefore, cannot be disillusioned.

As such, the job of the next chief minister – even if it is Chamling – is that much easier.

Editorial

TRIBAL UNITY

A Movement Has Begun

Former Speaker PA Sangma has rightly claimed that his very participation in the presidential polls is a victory for ‘tribal unity’. In India’s caste/class conscious society the forward caste – read as Brahmins – though in the minority has always taken high positions in almost every field for a long, long time. This time, however, the tribals, the subcontinent’s indigenous people, have come together and supported Sangma for the top post. It is the ‘Tribal Forum of India’ which has sponsored Sangma’s candidature. The very act of participating in the democratic process is a step in the right direction and will surely create a general awareness of the plight and prospects of the tribals and other backward communities throughout the country.

It was the Indian National Congress that gave birth and growth to Sangma’s political career. He is now no more in the Congress party but still remains a staunch nationalist, a rare phenomenon among tribal leaders in India’s much-neglected Northeast region. Sangma is justifiably hurt that though the tribals had always remained loyal to the Congress party it did not come out in support of the cause of the tribals in the presidential polls. “They (Congress leaders) will know the effect of this action,” Sangma rightly threatened.

With the BJP supporting Sangma’s candidature the party is likely to substantially improve its support base in the Northeast, including Sikkim. If Mamata Banerjee’s TMC gives Sangma the much-needed support East and Northeast India could become a solid bastion for a BJP-‘third front’ coalition government after the next general elections due in early 2014. Already, Chief Minister Navin Patnaik’s Biju Janta Dal (BJD) and Chief Minister Jayalalitha’s AIDMK are on Sangma’s side and the tribal leader is now wooing Jaganmohan Reddy’s YSR Congress party, which is taking on the Congress party and with greater degree of success in Andhra Pradesh.

The Arunachal Pradesh’s BJP has already given a call to all Northeast tribal MLAs and MPs to back Sangma. The former Speaker has already appealed to all for a ‘conscience vote.’ It should evoke the right response from tribal leaders and their elected representatives in the Parliament and State legislative assemblies. The call for ‘tribal unity’ is, therefore, loud and clear. Golay and other tribal legislators in Sikkim Assembly,  are you listening?

Sikkim’s merger with India was ‘conditional’: Ex-MP Nandu Thapa

“Chogyal did not sign away his kingdom”

  Gangtok, June 29: Former Sikkim Lok Sabha MP, Nandu Thapa, said Sikkim’s merger with India was ‘conditional’ and the historic Tripartite Agreement of May 8, 1973 paved way for the former kingdom’s absorption into the Indian Union.

Thapa has also pointed out that unlike the ruler of Jammu and Kashmir, the former Chogyal (king) of Sikkim did not sign away his kingdom to its protecting power.

In a letter to the Union Law Minister, Salman Khurshid, recently, Thapa expressed his appreciation in the manner that the Union Minister has acknowledged the “correct constitutional position/status” and the “distinctive characteristic” of the State of Sikkim.

Thapa was referring to Khurshid’s statement in the Parliament on the 12 reserved seats of the Bhutia-Lepchas in the Sikkim Assembly.

In response to BJP MP BalKrishna k Shukla’s query on reservation of scheduled tribes seats in the Assembly, Khurshid had stated in the Lok Sabha on May 3, 2012: “…12 seats reserved in the Assembly for Bhutia-Lepcha is not as Scheduled Tribe but as sequel to political agreement in the year 1973 between Government of India, the ex-Chogyal of Sikkim and the political parties of Sikkim.”

The former MP pointed out that the State’s ethnic communities – Lepchas, Bhutias and Sikkimese Nepalese – were ‘subjects’ of the Chogyal and their distinct identity and “rights and interests’ were safeguarded under Article 371F of the Constitution, which was inserted into the Constitution during the merger in 1975.

“The Historic Tripartite Agreement of 8^th May 1973 in this regard cannot be overemphasized nor undermined at all as it being the conditionality of the merger,” Thapa said in the letter and added, “In other words the merger of Sikkim is conditional.”

“Unlike Jammu & Kashmir there was no instrument of accession signed by the ruler, the Chogyal. It is a historical fact,” Thapa said in the letter and added, “I write this to appreciate your upright and honest statement based on the historical perspective and facts.”

                            DOCUMENT

                                LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4590

TO BE ANSWERED ON THURSDAY, THE 3^RD MAY, 2012

Reservation of Seats for ST in Assembly in Sikkim

4590. SHRI BALKRISHNA K. SHUKLA:

Will the minister of law and justice be pleased to state:

a)      whether the Government is aware that Sikkim legislative Assembly does

      not have a single seat reserve for Scheduled Tribes: and

b)      if so, the action taken by the Government to preserve and protect the

      Scheduled Tribes in Sikkim Legislative Assembly?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE (SHRI SALMAN KHURSID)

a): The present composition of the seats in Sikkim legislative assembly is as

    under:-

(i) General-17

(ii) Bhutia –Lepcha -12

(iii) Scheduled Caste -2

(iv) Sangha -1

As may be seen from the above composition, 12 seats are reserved for Bhutia – Lepcha not as Scheduled Tribe but as sequel to political agreement in the year 1973 between Government of India, ex-Chogyal of Sikkim and Political Parties of Sikkim. Apart from Bhutias and Lepchas, Limboo and Tamang were recognized as Scheduled Tribes vide the Constitution (Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes) order (Amendment) Act, 2002 (32 of 2002).

b); Any possible reservation of seats for Scheduled Tribes in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly, proportionate increase in Limboo, Tamang, Bhutia-Lepcha etc. will depend on data of population of Scheduled Tribes in Sikkim on the basis of 2011 Census, not only in terms of their number, but also dispersal patterns constituency-wise, based on such data, Sikkim Legislative Assembly may also need to pass a fresh resolution indicating number of seats that could be reserved for scheduled Tribes Communities, Bhutia – Lepchas communities, Limboo, Tamang communities etc. It is learnt form Office of the Registrar General of India that even though population enumeration exercise has been completed, it would require more then a year to get the individual Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes figures to be finalized and published. Hence, a decision regarding reservation of seats for scheduled tribes, Limboo-Tamang, Bhutia- Lepchas etc. will depend on individual population details of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes figures based on 2011 census which is still awaited. Any increase / decrease in the present status could be considered only after wider debate from all the Stake holders in the State of Sikkim.

Duk Nath Nepal, uncle robbed in New Delhi

Gangtok, June 29: Sikkim Liberation Party President Duk Nath Nepal and his uncle were robbed of their cash and other belongings at knife point allegedly by a group of miscreants in a white Toyota Innova car near Delhi Secretariat late on Wednesday.

Police said the incident was reported to the police control room around midnight. The victims were travelling in an auto rickshaw.

Nepal, also the editor of Gangtok-based Shangrila Times (daily Nepali) and critic of the establishment, and his uncle Madhusudan had arrived in the city to attend a seminar. The two, a senior police officer said, were headed towards Paharganj from Anand Vihar interstate bus terminal in an auto rickshaw when they were intercepted by the assailants, The Hindustan Times reported.

"The miscreants intercepted the auto rickshaw and two of the accused overpowered the auto rickshaw driver. Three others robbed the victims of their laptop, mobile phones and Rs. 14,500 in cash after pointing knives at them. After robbing the victims, the assailants fled in their Innova car," said the senior police officer. A case was registered at the IP Estate police station.

The complainants said there were five men in the car who were aged between 20-30 years.

"We have got definite clues about the accused and are hopeful of arresting them soon," said an investigating officer.

The incident, which took place barely 300 metres from the Delhi Police headquarters where two PCR vehicles are deployed round the clock, has raised serious questions on security in the capital.

GJM meet on Saturday on GTA polls

Darjeeling, June 29: While the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leadership will announce on Saturday its stand on the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) elections slated for July 29, there were heated discussions here on Thursday between party president Bimal Gurung and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on the outstanding issues relating to the territorial jurisdiction of the proposed new body.

“We have been discussing the territory issue (with the State Government) for long. So it is natural there will be a few heated exchanges on the matter,” Gurung told journalists at the State Secretariat after a meeting between a five-member GJM delegation led by him and Banerjee, which he otherwise described as “good”, Indian Express reported.

“Our anger is justified. There has been so much delay in determining our territory. Moreover, we are not satisfied with the Justice Shyamal Sen Committee report. We have informed the CM about out issues. She has directed us to submit all documents and our issues in writing to the committee that was formed to verify the facts presented in the Justice Sen Committee report. We have faith in the fact verification committee and we will submit all our documents to them,” Gurung said.

On the GJM participating in the upcoming GTA polls, he said though a decision would be taken at a core committee meeting of the party in Darjeeling on June 30, it would win in all the 45 constituencies where elections will be held, were the GJM to contest.

“If we don’t win in 45 out of the 45 constituencies, I will leave politics,” Gurung said, throwing ample hints that the GJM is considering participating in the elections despite its differences with the Government on the question of inclusion of Gorkha-dominated mouzas in the Terai and Dooars within the ambit of the GTA.

The GJM’s opposition to the recommendation of the committee headed by Justice (Retired) Shyamal Sen, that five mouzas in the Terai and the Dooars be transferred to the GTA — as against the party’s demand for 396 — was reasserted at the meeting with Banerjee. “We gave our views on the matter, and were asked by Madam (Ms. Banerjee) to submit our complaints and reports to the fact-verification committee (set up to look into the factual aspects of the report of the panel headed by Justice Sen),” Gurung said. The GJM has faith in the fact-verification committee, and is ready to wait for its findings,” he added.

On the presidential election, Gurung confirmed that the GJM would back the decision of the West Bengal government. “We will support Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s decision regarding the presidential polls. Whatever she will decide, we will be with her,” Gurung said.

Bridge collapses on Yangang-Makha route

Yangang, June 29: Last week, a massive boulder slip occurred along Yangang-Makha road in South Sikkim, which probably had been shaken loose by the September 18, 2011 earthquake.

The Bhaley Khola steel bridge located below was completely damaged by the boulder slip. The left side portion of the bridge has been dislodged from the abutment. The impact on the bridge has been so huge that the whole structure of the bridge has been twisted; traffic on both sides has come to a standstill, IPR release said.

Keeping in view the urgency of the matter, Addl. Chief Engineer(S/W) accompanied by Superintending Engineer (South) and other field engineers visited the site the very next day i.e. on  June 21 and took stock of the situation.

 The road connects far flung areas such as Lingipayong, Makha, Lingmoo, Tokdey, Mangzing to Yangang where  Block Administrative Centres are located. Construction of temporary foot suspension has already been started and will be completed in within next fifteen days. The steel bridge will take at least four months to complete, the release said.