Sikkim Democratic Front [SDF] : Rise and Fall : In Himalayan Sikkim, the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) has a fascinating political history. After Pawan Kumar Chamling created this party in 1993, it controlled state politics. This article recounts the Sikkim Democratic Front’s rise and fall from 1993 to 2019’s dramatic events.
News Update
Sep 03, 2023, : According to the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF), the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) government has neglected the Temi Tea Garden, which has become a jungle. Arun Limboo, SDF Spokesperson, said neglecting this location affects tourism and tea cultivation, Sikkim’s main revenue source.
I visited the Temi Tea Garden on September 2 and saw a disturbing change. Once packed with perfectly trimmed tea bushes, this landscape is now a jungle. Neglecting this property affects tourism and Sikkim’s tea industry. In an official statement, Limboo stated Sikkim had never seen such severe tea estate mismanagement.
He added that filmmakers and curious tourists came to Temi Tea Garden to learn about tea manufacturing and its history. This tea estate is far from its former splendour. Tashi Bhutia, SKM member, chairs Temi Tea Garden. SKM’s management has slashed maintenance and production at Temi Tea Estate. He claimed that such pitiful conditions will affect Sikkim’s main revenue source.
Limboo remarked that the SDF government’s Temi Tea Garden was a good example of well-maintained public assets, adding, “The tea produced on the estate had won many awards for its quality which can be directly attributed to the excellent upkeep of the tea estate.”
The SDF urges the government to put politics aside and preserve public assets. It is apparent that SKM cannot grow Sikkim, but it can maintain its precious public assets, he noted.
The SDF spokeswoman said Pawan Chamling led the tourism industry to a stunning 20,00,000 tourists in 2018 from 30,000 in 1993. Through imaginative programmes, rigorous governance, and marketing Sikkim as a distinct tourist destination, this astounding feat was achieved. Lonely Planet named Sikkim the #1 tourist destination in 2014, exceeding expectations. After 2024, Pawan Chamling plans to aggressively promote tourism to every ward in the state, he added.
Sikkim Democratic Front [SDF] Birth: Political Vision
Pawan Kumar Chamling’s goal In 1993, dynamic leader Pawan Kumar Chamling created the Sikkim Democratic Front with a futuristic vision. He relentlessly sought state improvement.
SDF early battles
The SDF struggled early, like any other political organisation. Starting a party and gaining voter trust was hard. Chamling’s leadership and party advancement pledges impressed Sikkimese.
Decades of SDF Rule
The 1994 Win Pawan Kumar Chamling was Chief Minister when the Sikkim Democratic Front won in 1994. Sikkim entered a glorious political age.
SDF popularity increased after winning the 1999 and 2004 state elections, winning 31 of 32 assembly seats in 2004. These strong results demonstrated the party’s development and governance commitment.
2009 Clean Sweep In an extraordinary performance, the SDF won all 32 seats and retained the Lok Sabha seat in the 2009 assembly election. This amazing feat entrenched their Sikkim political domination.
2014 Strength Test The SDF retained power with 22 seats in the 2014 legislative elections. The SDF was becoming Sikkim-specific.
Chamling’s Resignation, New Alliance In May 2016, BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma established the North-East Democratic Alliance (NEDA). Pawan Kumar Chamling’s Sikkim Democratic Front joined this alliance, gaining power.
Chamling quit All good things end. Chamling’s party was shocked by the 2019 Sikkim Legislative Assembly election. Chamling resigned as Chief Minister when the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha, led by former member Prem Singh Tamang, won 17 of 32 seats. Even though the SDF gained 15 seats, the political climate shifted.
In August 2019, the MLA Exodus took a dramatic turn. Ten Sikkim Democratic Front MLAs and two Sikkim Krantikari Morcha parliamentarians joined the BJP that month. This massive exodus left Pawan Kumar Chamling the party’s sole MLA, a stark contrast to its previous supremacy.
Organisation with Multiple Fronts
Social issues and politics are addressed by the Sikkim Democratic Front’s broad frontal organisation. Notable wings were:
The Youth Wing is for students.
Labour Wing, Women’s Wing, Cultivators, Organic Farmers Former soldiers Scheduled Tribe Welfare Wing Scheduled Wing Caste Help Winged drivers Trading Wing
Conclusion
Political change is seen in the Sikkim Democratic Front’s trajectory. It saw everything from its 1993 founding to Sikkim’s political peak to the 2019 unrest. Political change is constant as we observe its rise and collapse.
FAQ
What were the main causes for the Sikkim Democratic Front’s first success?
Pawan Kumar Chamling’s vision and dedication to Sikkim’s development led to the SDF’s early success.
2. Why did the SDF join NEDA?
The SDF joined NEDA to deepen its cooperation with northeastern states and work with the BJP-led central government.
3. Why did Pawan Kumar Chamling quit as Chief Minister in 2019?
After the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha won a majority in the 2019 Legislative Assembly election, Chamling resigned.
4. How did huge MLA departure effect Sikkim Democratic Front?
Exodus decimated the party, leaving Pawan Kumar Chamling as its single MLA.
5. Why are Sikkim Democratic Front frontal organisations important?
The party’s frontal organisations addressed social concerns and engaged with numerous groups, reflecting its holistic development approach.