Chamling takes ‘Save Sikkim’ election call to Pakyong district, promises to modernize Pakyong town as ‘eco-city’

PAKYONG,: Former Chief Minister Pawan Chamling has promised to modernize Pakyong town as an eco-city with best urban facilities and up-gradation of other bazaars in Pakyong district, if SDF is elected to power in this 2024 Assembly election.

Chamling was addressing the SDF election campaign meeting near Pakyong town on Tuesday for Gnathang-Machong, West Pendam, Rhenock and Chujachen constituencies. He appealed to the Pakyong district electorate to vote for the SDF for peace, progress and security of Sikkim.

Also present were the SDF candidates for the four constituencies – Tshering Wangdi Lepcha (Gnathang-Machong), Somnath Poudyal (Rhenock), Mani Kumar Gurung (Chujachen) and Anup Thatal (West Pendam) - along with Lok Sabha candidate PD Rai, party functionaries and supporters.

In his election speech, the SDF president promised to set up subdivisional offices in every constituency and smooth operation of the Pakyong airport. We will develop a green park on the land below the airport which would be run by a cooperative formed by the landowners, he said. He committed tourism attractions in Chujachen, a Sanskrit College between Chujachen and Rhenock, car plaza in Rongli, Indrakhil Prayag at Rango, IT park in Namcheybung and a college in Gnathang-Machong, besides issuance of Nathu La permit passes from Rongli and Rhenock itself.

Chamling reiterated that the 2024 election is the final opportunity for the Sikkimese electorate to save Sikkim by removing the SKM government. “If people do not heed our ‘Sikkim Bachao’ call then Sikkim will be destroyed. This election is a referendum for protecting Sikkim’s identity and existence and it is crucial that people realize this and make the SDF candidates victories to save Sikkim,” he said.

“During our government, we fulfilled all our electoral promises and did more work than what we had promised, and due to this, people gave us the mandate to run the government for 25 years which is a record. This time, people are determined to change the government within five years and are waiting for April 19 to vote the SDF to power,” said the SDF president.

Chamling maintained that the SDF is rooted in Sikkim with the Sikkimese people as its owners. The ruling party has roots outside the State and runs under the directions of their outsider owners and as such, every asset of Sikkim is being sold to outsiders and various Central laws have been implemented here that endangers the distinct identity and status of Sikkim and Sikkimese, he said.

The former Chief Minister also spoke on the firm steps taken during the SDF government on the pending political demands like Limboo-Tamang Assembly seats and tribal status for the left-out communities of Sikkim.

“During our government, we had reserved 50%seats in the panchayats for women. In our coming government, we will provide 50% job reservation for women. We never compromised with the interests and rights of Sikkim and Sikkimese during our 25 years of government,” said Chamling.

Addressing the gathering, SDF Lok Sabha candidate PD Rai also urged the people to bring the SDF back to the government for restoring peace and prosperity in Sikkim. He promised to double his efforts to secure the pending political demands of Sikkim if he is elected to the Parliament.

The SDF public meeting was also addressed by the party candidates of the four constituencies.

Chamling is scheduled to address the SDF election public meeting on Wednesday at Namcheybung, a constituency from where he is also contesting.