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Sikkim’s Political Environment

Sikkim Current CM: Prem Singh Tamang (SKM)

CM-16-1024x576 Sikkim's Political Environment

Sikkim Democratic Front: Pawan Chamling

pawan Sikkim's Political Environment

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): Narendra Kumar Subba

narendra Sikkim's Political Environment

Indian National Congress (INC): Gopal Chettri

gopal Sikkim's Political Environment

Politics:

Sikkim’s political landscape is distinctive due to its unique history and geographical location. The state’s modern political evolution began with its integration into India in 1975, following a referendum where Sikkimese people voted to join the Indian Union. This transition marked the beginning of a new political era, characterized by shifts between various regional and national parties.

Historically, the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) dominated the state’s politics for over two decades. Founded by Pawan Chamling in 1993, the SDF governed Sikkim from 1994 to 2019. Under Chamling’s leadership, the SDF focused on development projects and infrastructural growth, which earned it substantial support from the electorate. Chamling’s tenure was marked by significant economic development but also faced criticism for issues like corruption and alleged authoritarianism.

The political scene changed in 2019 with the rise of the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM), led by Prem Singh Tamang, known as Golay. The SKM’s victory in the 2019 state elections was a notable shift, bringing new priorities and policies under Tamang’s leadership. The SKM has focused on addressing local grievances and advancing development projects with a different approach compared to its predecessor.

Other national parties, such as the Indian National Congress (INC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have had a more limited impact on Sikkim’s politics. The INC had some influence in earlier years, while the BJP’s presence is more subdued but growing. The political dynamics in Sikkim often reflect a blend of regional aspirations and national party strategies, contributing to a vibrant and evolving political environment.

Lok Sabha:

  • 1962: Sikkim elected Chung Kunfors of the Indian National Congress (INC).
  • 1967: G.M. Gurung from the Indian National Congress (INC) won the seat.
  • 1971: G.M. Gurung of the Indian National Congress (INC) was re-elected.
  • 1977: G.M. Gurung of the Indian National Congress (INC) continued his winning streak.
  • 1980: Pawan Chamling from the Sikkim Janata Party (SJP) emerged victorious.
  • 1984: Pawan Chamling of the Sikkim Janata Party (SJP) was re-elected.
  • 1989: Pawan Chamling of the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) won the election.
  • 1991: Pawan Chamling of the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) continued his winning run.
  • 1996: Pawan Chamling from the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) retained his seat.
  • 1998: Pawan Chamling of the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) won again.
  • 1999: Pawan Chamling of the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) was re-elected.
  • 2004: Pawan Chamling from the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) continued his dominance.
  • 2009: Pawan Chamling of the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) won once more.
  • 2014: Pawan Chamling of the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) secured the seat.
  • 2019: Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) of the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) won the Lok Sabha seat.

Rajya Sabha:

  • 1952: Rohini K. Kumari (Indian National Congress) – First election for Sikkim in Rajya Sabha.
  • 1957: Rohini K. Kumari (Indian National Congress) – Re-elected.
  • 1962: Rohini K. Kumari (Indian National Congress) – Re-elected.
  • 1967: Rohini K. Kumari (Indian National Congress) – Continued as the representative.
  • 1972: Rohini K. Kumari (Indian National Congress) – Re-elected.
  • 1978: Chung Kunfors (Indian National Congress) – Elected to Rajya Sabha.
  • 1984: Chung Kunfors (Indian National Congress) – Re-elected.
  • 1990: Rohini K. Kumari (Indian National Congress) – Returned to Rajya Sabha.
  • 1996: Pawan Chamling (Sikkim Democratic Front) – Elected to Rajya Sabha.
  • 2002: Pawan Chamling (Sikkim Democratic Front) – Re-elected.
  • 2008: Pawan Chamling (Sikkim Democratic Front) – Continued representation.
  • 2014: Pawan Chamling (Sikkim Democratic Front) – Re-elected.
  • 2020: Bhanu Prasad Acharya (Sikkim Krantikari Morcha) – Elected to Rajya Sabha.

Political Parties:

Legislative Assembly History:

Sikkim became the 22nd state of India through the 36th Amendment of the Indian Constitution in 1975. This amendment established that the Legislative Assembly of Sikkim would comprise no fewer than 32 members. The Assembly, formed from the elections held in April 1974 with 32 elected members (referred to as the sitting members), was recognized as the duly constituted legislative body of the State of Sikkim under the Constitution.

Located in the northeastern part of India, Sikkim covers an area of 7,096 square kilometers (2,740 square miles) and has a population of approximately 610,000. Prior to becoming a state, Sikkim was a small Himalayan kingdom governed by a hereditary monarchy for about three centuries, from the 17th century CE until 1975. In 1950, Sikkim became a protectorate of India, retaining autonomy over its internal affairs while allowing India to manage its defense, communications, and external relations. The kingdom formally opted to join the Indian Union as a full-fledged state on April 26, 1975.

Kazi Lhendup Dorjee was Sikkim’s first Chief Minister, serving from 1975 to 1979. Subsequent long-serving Chief Ministers include Nar Bahadur Bhandari and Pawan Kumar Chamling. As of the 2019 Sikkim Legislative Assembly election, Prem Singh Tamang is the current Chief Minister.

Political Disputes:

Sikkim’s political history has been marked by several significant disputes and tensions. One of the most profound issues was the transition from a hereditary monarchy to a democratic state. In 1975, a referendum led to Sikkim’s integration into India, making it the 22nd state of the Indian Union. This transition was not without controversy; some critics argue that the referendum did not fully reflect the will of the people, leading to debates about the legitimacy and fairness of the process.

Another prominent issue has been the preservation of Sikkimese identity and culture. As the state has developed and integrated more with the Indian Union, there have been concerns about the impact of external political and cultural influences. This has sometimes led to tensions between different ethnic groups within the state, each vying for greater representation and preservation of their cultural heritage.

Sikkim’s strategic location between Nepal, China (Tibet), and Bhutan has also introduced its own set of disputes. Although border issues have generally been managed through diplomatic channels, there have been occasional concerns and tensions related to territorial integrity and cross-border interactions.

Furthermore, regional discontent has periodically surfaced over issues such as local governance and development policies. Calls for greater autonomy or specific regional benefits have led to protests and political unrest at various times, reflecting the challenges of balancing local needs with broader state and national interests. These disputes and tensions have played a significant role in shaping Sikkim’s political landscape and its development trajectory.