SIKKIM OBSERVER April 9-12, 2014

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Those who love Sikkim will vote for SKM: Golay

“Throw out corrupt and dictatorial regime”

Gangtok, April 8: In his final message to the people of Sikkim PS Golay, President of Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM), has urged the people to save Sikkim from the corrupt and dictatorial regime of Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and vote his party to power on April 12.

Addressing a meeting at Rongli, east district, this week Golay said, "People who love Sikkim will vote for SKM on April 12 and throw out this corrupt and dictatorial regime."

SKM, formed about a year back with its call for parivartan (change), has captured the imagination of the people, many of whom see a wave in favour of the party. Significantly, people from all over the State, particularly youngsters, have been actively engaged in the poll campaign this time as never before.

To crown its efforts to root out communalism, casteism and corruption and to usher in a new era of real development and real democracy, two former chief ministers, NB Bhandari and BB Gooroong, have backed SKM. Bhandari is expected to address SKM’s last big public meeting before the polls at Rongpo, east district, tomorrow.

To ensure that most Sikkimese vote for SKM, 8 minority Bhutia-Lepcha organizations, including the Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC), representing their communities have sided with Goley and have urged all to vote for SKM. As votes of majority Nepalese get split between the two contending Nepali leaders, Chamling and Golay, votes of the minorities and the business community are crucial

There is excitement in the air as the people see a huge opportunity, after 20 long years, to form their own government and save Sikkim for future generations after Saturday’s elections.

Bhandari backs SKM, to campaign for Parivartan

Gangtok, April 8: Former three-term chief minister Nar Bahadur Bhandari, who earlier appealed for opposition unity in the State and later announced his retirement from ‘active politics,’  has backed the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha’s demand for change in the former kingdom, which has been ruled by Chief Minister and ruling Sikkim Democratic Front President  Pawan Chamling for two decades since 1994.

Bhandari has also agreed to campaign for SKM to ensure that change comes to Sikkim. Bhandari, who began his term as chief minister in 1979 and later  led the Congress party in the State for ten years in the opposition (2003-2013), also indicated that he would act as a ‘watchdog’ in State politics after the ensuing polls, slated for April 12.

“The people of Sikkim want change and our support for SKM is based on people’s wishes. We are also happy with the pro-Sikkimese manifesto of SKM. The SDF manifesto is nothing but a repetition of failed promises made in 2009 elections. SDF is fooling people with its manifesto,” he said.

"Seeing the wave in favour of change, I decided to leave the field clear. SKM is sure to win minimum 22 seats. It is certain to form the government this time. It is a party of youth, led by a young leader. Golay is my 'meet bhai'. I wish him well. I ask all my workers, supporters and well-wishers to vote for SKM and allow the younger generation to shape a new Sikkim."

During a press conference held here this week, Bhandari said, “We will support SKM because it is time that this 20 year long corrupt and casteist government should go”.

Responding to Bhandari’s timely gesture, SKM President PS Golay said, "Sikkim will not forget Bhandari's sacrifice. His support will be remembered as a milestone in our journey towards change."

Bhandari is expected to address SKM’s last big public meeting before the polls in Rongpo, east district,  tomorrow (Apr 9).

Reacting to the new situation, SDF spokesperson Bhim Dahal said, “Bhandari's extending support to the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha has no relevance in this election. He has lost credibility and even failed to field a single candidate from his party. His support to any SKM candidate will not affect the SDF party. He is a spent force.”

Gooroong bats for ‘change’ in Sikkim

Gangtok, April 8: In a surprise move former chief minister BB Gooroong, who is a

former political advisor to Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, has lent his weight to Sikkim Krantikari Morcha’s campaign for change in the State.

 “The present election is being fought bitterly and the ruling party has to accept that the youth leadership has emerged who are not going to take things lying down. There is frustration among the educated youths as the government of the day has failed to provide them gainful employment,” Gooroong said in an exclusive interview to Sikkim Express.

“The emergence of Golay as an opposition in Sikkim’s politics has given them a new hope and aspirations. What we see today is an anti-incumbency factor among the people of Sikkim. Yes, change is inevitable and the political baton should be passed on to the younger leadership,” Gooroong, also a former Executive Councillor (minister) of the Chogyal era’s Sikkim Council said.

Give me 10 more years to turn Sikkim into Singapore: Chamling

Gangtok, April 8:  “Give me 10 years more and I will make Sikkim better than Singapore. Singapore is Singapore because the Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew was given 40 years to rule. We have done so much for last 20 years, if you give me another 10 years I will turn Sikkim into Singapore," Chief Minister Pawan Chamling said during his public meeting here at Syari.

“There were two classes in Sikkim, the haves and the have-nots. It was only due to the farsighted pro-poor policies of the SDF government  that all have been able to realize their cherished dreams and aspirations,” Chamling pointed out and added, “Rich people can do with any kind of government but poor people need our care. We don’t want poor to be subjugated. We will make them rich.”

    During his thinly-attended public meeting here at Thakurbari on Saturday Chamling, visibly annoyed rows of empty chairs in front of him, said ‘Facebook’ politics in the State would not be able to compete with his party’s twenty-year rule in the State.

   In another public meeting held here at Burtuk, the SDF chief turned his heat on his rival, Sikkim Krantikari Morcha President PS Golay. "This jilliganthey (meaning Golay) is Buddhist by religion however he does not follow Buddhism because his religion is that of Hitler. Inspite of his efforts this jilliganthey cannot make any difference to our party because our party will swipe all 32 seats in the upcoming polls.”

“His party will be defeated badly on April 12 and will be finished forever.”

 Aware of lack of public participation at the SDF meeting at Thakurbari,  a SDF leader is supposed to have ordered, "Go get some crowds fast. Did you see the photo Talk Sikkim posted? I don't care from where…just get it. We have to quickly post a photo too. Chitto!! Get the cyber army ready."

SIBLAC, 7 BL organizations to  campaign for SKM

Gangtok, April 8: The Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) and seven other Bhutia-Lepcha (BL) associations have declared their support for Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM).

The minority BLs are convinced that SKM has given a better deal for Sikkim and Sikkimese, particularly for the minority tribal communities, than the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front. The promises are reflected in the party manifesto, SIBLAC chief and former minister Tseten Tashi Bhutia said during a press conference held here.

Bhutia said for the BLs the most important promise of the SKM is to abolish the Land Transfer Act of 2005, which allows companies from outside to take lands of Sikkimese, including Bhutia and Lepcha communities on lease basis.

“SKM has promised to scrap hydel power projects being constructed in holy places and has given commitment to maintain the sanctity of all holy places in Sikkim. They have also promised to focus on development in North Sikkim and stated that they will form a Dzongu Development Board,” said Bhutia.

Safeguards for old laws and protection given to Sikkim under Article 371F of the Constitution are also other reasons for giving support to the SKM.

SIBLAC chief also pointed out that BL organizations would now go to the districts to urge people to vote SKM to power.

Other BL organizations which have opted for SKM are: National Sikkimese Bhutia Organisation (NASBO), Bhutia-Lepcha Protection Force (BLPF), Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT), Concerned Lepchas of Sikkim (CLOS), Save Kabi-Lungstok Committee, Save Sikkim and Monks of Sikkim.

SNPP rejects ‘tribal status’ demand, raises Nepali Assembly seat issue

Gangtok, April 8: The Sikkim National People’s Party (SNPP) has rejected the demand for ‘tribal status’ for the State raised by various parties. Instead, it wants to focus on the ‘Sikkim Subject Certificate’, an identity document of bonafide Sikkimese belonging to the three ethnic communities – Lepchas, Bhutias and Nepalese of Sikkimese origin.

In a press statement, SNPP President Biraj Adhikari has also emphasized on Assembly seat reservation for Sikkimese Nepalese.

“No political party has talked about seat reservation for Nepali communities in the state assembly. It is a major concern for the people of Sikkim,” Adhikari said.

“All parties including SDF have promised to fully protect Article 371F. Maximum violation of Article 371 has taken under the SDF government and the party should feel ashamed to say that it will protect Article 371F. The party has now stopped even including the assurance of a Local Protection Act in its manifesto,” SNPP release said.

“In the coming elections, Sikkimese should only focus on the special constitutional provisions guaranteed to us – the Bhutia, Lepchas and Nepali. No other factor is as important. People must question the candidates how their parties can restore the violated Old Laws of Sikkim.”

“We don’t agree with the Tribal status for Sikkim that is being promised by parties. We already have the Sikkim Subject Certificate and are being given various benefits because of it so there is no need to make Sikkim a Tribal state,” the release added. (also see Sikkim Liberation Party on seat issue on page 3)

Ghising comes to Mamata’s rescue, backs Bhaichung

Bhaichung belongs to the hills: GNLF

Darjeeling, April 8: In a boost to Trinamool Congress candidate Bhaichung Bhutia's prospects for the Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat in West Bengal, the GNLF on Friday announced its support for the former Indian soccer captain.

"Bhaichung belongs to the hills. We are supporting him," the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) said in statement issued on behalf of party president Subhas Ghising, The Indian Express reported.

Bhutia is engaged in a tough fight for the April 17 polls in the constituency against the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM)-backed Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Surinder Singh Ahluwalia and Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) candidate Saman Pathak.

   The GNLF spearheaded a violent movement in the 1980s, demanding that a separate state of Gorkhaland be carved out of the north Bengal hills, leading to the formation of the semi-autonomous development body Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC) in 1988.

Ghising was the chairman of the DGHC for two decades. However, he lost his influence in the hills after his trusted aide Bimal Gurung broke away from the GNLF in 2007 to form the GJM, which has now taken over the mantle of the Gorkhaland movement.

The GJM forced Ghising to leave the hills in 2008. He returned before the 2011 assembly polls but went away again soon after his party received a drubbing in the polls.

Ghising recently returned to the hills for the Lok Sabha polls. There was much speculation on whether he would put up a candidate or announce his support for some other party.

Trinamool leader and West Bengal cabinet minister Gautam Deb welcomed the GNLF's move.

"Bhaichung will win by a huge margin," said Deb.

Editorial

CHANGE VS CONTINUITY

Change That We Seek

   By fielding the ruling party’s old guard Pawan Chamling may be playing it safe – to avoid further dissidence within the SDF – and at the same time rewarding loyalty but this move has proved to be a boon for the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM), whose campaign for change is led by a young leader PS Golay and whose followers are mostly youngsters. Those who were 10 years when Chamling came to power in 1994 are now 30. Another 5 or even 10 years under SDF would be disastrous for Sikkim’s future given the fact that the people, by and large, have rejected casteist, communal and corrupt government under one-man rule and one party system. Not being satisfied with two decades of autocratic rule Chamling now wants 10 more years from the people to turn Sikkim into Singapore. Sikkim will and should be Sikkim and this is the will of the people. Sikkim used to be a paradise with beautiful people.

   Real democracy must give people a chance to change things. Any system that fails to do this cannot be following the democratic process. The change that we believe in and seek is simple: we want to live in peace and in harmony with each other and nature; we want the rule of law to govern us and not one-man rule; freedom from fear, end to injustice and strict adherence to the democratic process in all sphere of life is what the people want. The change that we seek should also preserve our rich and unique cultural and natural heritage while safeguarding  Sikkim’s special status within the Union. We gave Chamling a chance to set things right in 1994; give Golay a chance now.

LS seat: SKM’s TN Dhakal to take on ruling party’s PD Rai

TN Dhakal

Gangtok, April 8: Tek Nath Dhakal, a retired civil servant, ought to be lucky that got Sikkim Krantikari Morcha’s ticket to contest the lone Lok Sabha polls. He would be luckier if he wins. And judging by the winds of change blowing across the State Dhakal could well be Sikkim’s next MP in the Lok Sabha.

Dhakal, who many a times courted controversy, first came to limelight in early 1980s when he appeared in the cover of Spotlight of Sikkim, a newsmagazine published by Hill Media Publications, which also publishes Sikkim Observer. The issue was ‘Sikkim Subject Certificate’ and Dhakal put his full weight behind it.

The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front’s PD Rai is likely to give a tough completion to the SKM nominee. But the anti-incumbency factor and Rai being  renominated again may go in Dhakal’s favour.

PD Rai

AD Subba also seems to be a lucky man. After he packed up his Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad and merged it with the Congress he was made its Working President. When the Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee’s President Kunga Nima Lepcha quit the party to join SKM Subba was made SPCC President. And now he is contesting the LS polls as Congress candidate. 

Subba’s constant engagement with street politics may earn him some votes but the Congress party’s poll prospects in the State and in the country is not very encouraging.

NB Khatiwada

   Former SDF’s Lok Sabha MP Nakul Rai, who rebelled against the leadership, is TMC’s LS candidate. TMC being the ruling party in neighbouring West Bengal and given the fact that the party is trying to make inroads in Darjeeling and Sikkim there is every possibility of  Rai getting some support in the State.

Nakul Rai

  Former MLA and merger veteran Nar Bahadur Khatiwada’s efforts to get elected to the Lok Sabha from Sikkim or Darjeeling have been futile. The last time he contested the LS seat in Sikkim he got around 4000 votes only.

But this time its different. Khatiwada is the BJP candidate and Narendra Modi is all set to become the next Prime Minister of the country. So hopes are very high for the veteran politician who is yet to be rewarded politically for his merger moves.

AD Subba

And finally, Aam Aadmi Party’s Kaushal Rai, too, is trying his luck for the lone LS seat. Good luck to him for he needs it to ensure that his security deposit is not forfeited.

Sikkimese will become minority if Assembly seats not restored, influx remain unchecked: DN Nepal

Gangtok, April 8: The Sikkim Liberation Party (SLP) has decided to support the NDA. Its Chairman Duk Nath Nepal is confident that by supporting the NDA Sikkim’s long pending demand on restoration of Assembly seats for Sikkimese Nepalese would be met.

  In a press statement, Nepal said the Congress party “ditched and hoodwinked” the Sikkimese people on the Assembly seats issue. Nepal said BJP has always been against influx of outsiders and “Sikkim has became safe den of migrants and illegal influx which need to be checked with immediate effect.”

The SLP also believes that the BJP is perhaps the only party which will be able to rescue the country from “the clutches of near bankruptcy, acute corruption and soaring inflation.”

Nepal said if Assembly seats , which were abolished “illegally and unconstitutionally” , were not restored and influx checked, the ethnic Bhutia, Lepcha and Nepali communities in the State  will one day “become minority in their own land”.

The SLP chief also noted that as the BJP is in favour of smaller states it would be able to solve the statehood demand of neighbouring Darjeeling.