Chamling vows to stay in politics till “derailed Sikkim” is back on track

GANGTOK,: Former Chief Minister Pawan Chamling on Wednesday declared that he would remain in politics until he succeeds in “bringing a derailed Sikkim back on track,” asserting that restoring development, peace and justice in the State under the SDF’s ‘Nav Nirman’ mission remains his foremost commitment.

“I am doing politics for Sikkim and the people of Sikkim. I am not doing politics to become the Chief Minister again. Seeing how Sikkim has been utterly ruined under the SKM government, I am compelled to stay in politics. I will remain in politics till I manage to bring Sikkim, which has been completely derailed, back on the tracks of development, peace and justice. Only after bringing Sikkim back on track will I leave politics,” said Chamling.

Chamling, who is also the SDF president, was addressing the party’s 34th foundation day programme at SDF Bhavan on Bypass Road here.

In his lengthy address, the former Chief Minister urged the people of Sikkim, including government employees, youths, taxi drivers and students, to extend their support to the SDF for what he maintained was the protection of the future of Sikkim and its people.

“We urge government employees to support us and bring the SDF back to power. If the economic regression of Sikkim continues under the present government, a day will come when you may not receive salaries and pensions. You may have to stage protests just to get your salaries as Sikkim’s economic condition is in doldrums,” said Chamling.

He accused the ruling SKM of allocating casual government jobs randomly in violation of established norms and rules, and claimed that these workers are not receiving their salaries on time. He further alleged that the SKM may announce to regularise MR and ad hoc employees in 2028 to win votes. If they are sincere, they should regularise these casual employees this year itself, he said.

The SDF president demanded that the SKM government immediately notify the Pay Commission and grant a 400 per cent hike in salaries and wages for State government employees within 2026. He said salary revisions should follow the precedent set during the SDF tenure, when a 300 per cent hike was implemented. 

“The wages and salaries of the government employees must increase in the manner which SDF had done in past where we had given 300% hike. They go around shouting that ‘Golay Cha Ta Sambhav Cha’ and hence, there must be a 400% increase and only then they claims would be justified,” he said.

The former Chief Minister also sought the support of taxi drivers, promising to remove enhanced taxes imposed through the Central Motor Vehicles Act. 

“SDF is the party that will remove all the problems being faced by the taxi drivers of Sikkim. Support us and reach us to the government, we will solve all your issues within one week. All the new taxes imposed by the SKM government will be removed. We will re-implement the old Motor Vehicle Act of Sikkim and rescind the Central Motor Vehicle Act extended to Sikkim by the SKM government. We have a right to use the old Motor Vehicle Act as the old laws of Sikkim are protected by the Constitution,” said Chamling.

Chamling maintained that taxi drivers had prospered during the SDF government due to growth in tourism, industrialisation and infrastructure development. However, he claimed that drivers are currently facing hardships due to declining tourism and poor road conditions in Sikkim.

He further stated that villagers in Sikkim are facing a “poverty trap,” alleging that despite substantial financial allocations from the Centre, there is little flow of money in rural areas. “SDF is the only party that can liberate people from this poverty trap. Support our ‘Nav Nirman’ mission and, as in the past, money will reach the people, business will flourish and peace will prevail,” he said. 

Chamling promised to allocate 70 per cent of the State budget to rural Sikkim if the SDF returns to power. He also urged the public to study the election manifestos of both the SDF and SKM. He claimed that the SDF had fulfilled all its manifesto promises during its tenure, except those dependent on the Centre, while alleging that the SKM had failed to deliver on its election commitments.

Emphasising the party’s vision, he said the SDF has already prepared programmes under its ‘Sikkim’s Nav Nirman’ plan aimed at making Sikkim the “most developed State in the world.” He said the party’s model would focus on sustainable development, economic growth, eco-tourism, clean industries and organic farming.

Chamling also highlighted a proposed ‘Sikkim Basic Income’ programme under which financial assistance would be deposited directly into the accounts of individuals to ensure no one faces financial hardship.

Promising employment to every youth in the State, he reiterated the SDF’s promise of “One Person, One Job” as a right for all unemployed person in Sikkim. ‘One Person, One Job’, this is the guarantee of SDF, he said.

He also outlined several other welfare initiatives for the people of Sikkim planned by the SDF party and reminded the gathering that it is ultimately the voters who decide who will form the government.