Reminiscence of historical people’s agitation for democracy in Sikkim in the year 1973 based at Singtam

D.R. KHAREL Mamring, South Sikkim

Sikkim strategically located in the North – East India borders China in North, China and Bhutan in East, Nepal in West and State of West Bengal in the South. As a part of the Eastern Himalaya Region it is notable for its rich bio- diversity and has within its borders a variety of geographical environment from Low Snow free outer hills to the high Peaks like Mt. Khanchendzonga the Second highest in India and the third highest on Earth. The total Geographical area is 7096 kms and has the Population of 6.10 Lakhs as per the last Population Census. This State is the native of three Ethnic Social groups eq. Bhutia, Lepcha and Sikkimese Nepali. The Present State of Sikkim underwent a Process of Political transformation before becoming twenty second State of India in the year 1975 following mass Political movement which started as far back as in the year 1972. This writer seeks to delineate here under only the factual ground situation that prevailed during agitation focusing an eye to eye account of the same which begun after the refusal of the then Chogyal to positively respond to the demand of the Joint Action Committee led by former C.M. Kazi Lhendup and also subsequent shooting on protestors at Ranipool and allowing undemocratic handling of the situation by Sikkim Police.   

This writer along with Shri. B.K. Kharel and several other members in his family were active participants of the 1973 movement. For information of readers it may not be out of place to focus on the role played by Late B.P. Kharel to usher in democratic values and sentiment along with twelve Political Leaders including Late Tashi Tshering Babu Late B.P. Kharel had been the elected Councilor to State Council twice Prior to integration of Sikkim into India and was also a signatory of the historic May 8^th Agreement. He was elected in the Legislative Assembly along with Late L.D. Kazi and Shri. B.B. Gurung (Former Chief Ministers) and was a Cabinet Minister in the first Kazi Govt. He was pivotal in providing impetus to the formation of a strong alliance of various Political and Social groups that earnestly fought against the autocratic rule later.   

Before outlining factual report on the Progress of the agitation it may be relevant to encapitulate sequential events that took place aftermath the agitation for understanding of such readers who never had occasion to participate in the agitation.

The people democratic movement that started under the banner of Joint Action Committee ended with signing of May 8^th agreement by the Chogyal, The Foreign Secretary of India and Leaders of three Political Parties.

The tripartite agreement envisaged a democratic set up for Sikkim. This was followed by notifying the Govt. of Sikkim Act 1974. The Union Parliament there after enacted the constitution 35^th and 36^th Amendment Acts 1974 declaring Sikkim as an Associate State and also a full Hedged State of India.

Despite all this the Political Situation in the State was still in the State of turmoil. The newly formed Assembly, based on the provision of the Govt. of Sikkim Act 1974 in its sitting dated 10.04.75 passed a resolution abolishing the institution of Chogyal and seeking approval of the people for making Sikkim a Constituent unit of India. The approval of Sikkimese Citizens was sought allegedly through an opinion Poll on 14.04.1975.

The above referred resolution had declared that the assembly was satisfied that in the backdrop of allegedly persistent harmful activities of the Chogyal aimed at undermining the responsible Democratic Government set up under the provision of the 8^th May agreement of 1973 and Government of Sikkim Act 1974, violated the objectives of the said agreement and also ran counter to the wishes of the people and impeded their democrat development and Participation in the political and economic life of India.  

The result of the poll was communicated to government of India on 15.04.1975 and consequently Sikkim was merged as full fledged state of India by enacting the constitution 36^th Amendment Act 1975. Having outlined summarily the progress of political transformation of Sikkim from monarchical system to a constituent unit of India this writer seeks to present a factual account of events which took place during the days of agitation and a brief proximate reasons leading to the agitation as under-

Sikkim a protectorate State under the union of India was ruled by the last consecrated King Palden Thondup Namgyal till the year 1975 merged with India as evident from above was consequential effect of the mass public upheaval during the year, 1973, in protest against the prevalent ethnic disparity and un-just electoral arrangement which differentiated the three ethnic communities in the exercise of their franchise and political right.

A royal proclamation was notified by the then Maharaja of Sikkim Sir Tashi Namgyal on 23^rd day of March, 1953, constituting the state executive council. The state council was composed of twelve elected members of whom six were either Bhutia – Lepcha and remaining six were Sikkimese Nepalese. Five members were nominated by the King and Presiding Officer was also appointed by him. The elected members of the council had limited power and were entrusted to look after the charges of only subjects like Education, Public Health, Excise, Press and Publicity, Transport, Bazaars, Forest and Public Work. The reserved subject viz Ecclesiastical, State Enterprises, Home and Police, Finance, Land Revenue and Rationing, Establishment were directly administered by the Chogyal through his coterie of powerful secretaries. Being so the public representatives in the council had only a limited restricted role to deal with the fulfillment of genuine aspiration of the people. Under sec 15 of the proclamation there were more restrictions on the authority of the elected members of the state council. Furthermore, the system of Governance and also the complicated electoral system were hence not eventually found acceptable to the people in the transforming democratic era. The proximate cause of the movement, however, was the prevailing complex procedure of voting system, denying the principal of one man one vote and existing parity formula based on disproportionate representation of the three ethnic communities, in the state council.

The Royal proclamation of 16^th March, 1958, modifying allocation and distribution of seats was such that majority electors belonging to Nepalese of Sikkimese origin were provided six seats out of (20) twenty which was dis- proportionate to total percentage of this community, The Bhutia, Lepcha Community was provided six seats and six seats were reserved for nomination by the King. This arrangement was therefore preposterous, absurd and not acceptable to the agitators.

The system of contesting and securing highest number of votes of his community was ordinarily required to have secured about at least 15% of voters of other community secured by them. On account of this arrangement a few instances of candidates losing the Election despite securing highest votes of their own community, The case of Shri Chandralal Sharma of Pam Busty, Regu Constituency, Loosing against Shri Nahakul Pradhan from Chujachen – Regu Constituency was discernible and perceptible.

Based on the complicated electoral system, Election were held in Sikkim in the year 1972 in which mass rigging by the Election Officials in favour of Pro Chogyal National Party were alleged. Such an intolerant approach to disregard democratic practice by the ruler in order to reconstitute the council with his own support induced a sense of despise in the system and on the ruler. Instances of alleged electoral malpractices and rigging were reported from the polling station of Ravang and Bikmat in South Sikkim. Detection of bundles of tickets with continuous serial numbers were noticed in the ballot boxes belonging to the National Party Candidate.

While the counting was underway at the Whitehall, Gangtok Shri. N.B. Khatiwada, youth leader intelligently detected the irregularities and protested against this. In doing so he faced physical intimidation, abusive comments and misconduct from Late R. Wangdi, alias Yap Maila of Sosing. It was also reported that Shri P.T. Gymtso, Retd. Secretary was the Presiding officer in one of the polling stations where such malpractice had occurred. Having felt aggrieved with what was developing the leaders of the political parties under the leadership of Shri Lebdup Dorjee Khangsherpa of the National Congress held several round of meetings and formed a Joint Action Committee to ventilate the grievances before the Government.

The delegation of the J.A.C. consisting of senior members called on the Chogyal on 28^th Feb. 1973 to look into the anomaly and to introduce a transparent system based on the principle of one man one vote and also to ensure the unconditional release of Shri. K.C. Pradhan, President of Sikkim Janta Congress, a constituent of J.A.C, who was arrested some days before for creating law and order disruption and delivering provocative public speeches. He used the public platform to educate the people about the drawback of the parity system and the need for opting principle of one man one vote. Lt. B.P. Kharel accompanied him throughout the campaign and was immensely convinced with the public response sparked through the presentation explained over a wooden blackboard on the negative aspect of the system in vogue. The senior members of the J.A.C. were also shocked to hear the discourteous statement of the Chogyal accusing the majority community in his speech pointing out an unwarranted comparison of majority community attempting to swallow small community as big fish swallowing small fishes in an ocean.

Another attempt was made by the youth leaders of J.A.C. represented by Shri. R.C. Poudyal, Shri, K.N. Uprety, Shri. Mani Raj Rai, Shri, T.P. Kharel and others to draw the kind attention of the Chogyal to reconsider the pending demands of the people that led to such resentment and revolt. The Chogyal did not handle the situation tactfully but exhibited his anger and obsession by repeating similar discourteous comment of dividing the majority and minority. This was the biggest blunder which made him pay heavily loosing the faith of the law abiding people on him.

All these developments led to the furtherance of creation of a wide gap between the ruler and the ruled. The growing discontentment was a  clear manifestation of frustration in the existing Governmental apparatus among the masses. The small group with Chogyal continued dominating the political, economic and social sphere of Sikkimese lifestyle and tried to perpetuate a repressive rule over the majority community. The Chogyal failed to see the writing on the wall, as if he was blind to all reasonableness and trends of the time, the people of Sikkim became prepared to take the extreme course of action. An intelligent gesture by him would have made him an honoured and loving leader of his own people but ill advised as he was; he acted in a manner which paved the way for his own removal.

Having failed to receive any positive response from the Chogyal, the J.A.C. decided to launch a mass movement and protest all over the state, focusing in Gangtok, coinciding with the birthday of the Chogyal on 4^th April 1973. Cross section of people from all over the state started congregating at Singtam, which eventually turned out to be the base camp of democratic movement.

The first march to Singtam had started on the preceding day of the Chogyal’s birthday from Namthang, South Sikkim, where from a large number of protesters raising slogans demanding justice proceeded to Singtam and merged with the mammoth gathering of people from adjoing areas. Several young agitators mainly from Ramaram-Bikmat area of South Sikkim held rally at Namchi and paraded with naked Khukuri (Weapon) in their hand under the guidance of Bishnu Kumar Rai, Gopal Rai and others. This facilitated and encouraged more protesters to join the movement at Singtam.

The mass movement of people started taking the shape of an agitation across the length and breath of the state. A large number of people reached Gangtok on 3^rd April 1973, a day before the birth day of Chogyal and took out a big rally around the palace compound chanting religious slogans “Budham Saranam Gachyami” and demanded justice. The security forces however drove them away to make them take refuge at the premises of erstwhile Bansilal Petrol Pump where L.D. Kazi had his office. The congregation was further warned to vacate the premise and move beyond Ranipool and Singtam Bazaar.

When the process of thinning out of protesters at Gangtok was underway, the crown prince Tenzing Namgyal suddenly drove down to Ranipool under army escort to observe the strength of the gathering. This triggered controversy and violence erupted where the demonstrators were very agitated with the attitude of the crown prince. His movement added fuel to the fire and some agitators pelted stones at his vehicle and raised slogans and prevented him from proceeding ahead. Anticipating serious untoward incident his bodyguard opened fire at one of lady protesters injuring her severely. Her name is Kamala Subba who happened to marry Shri. Ashok Tsong, ex MLA later on. A large contingent of Sikkim guards was deployed at all vulnerable locations to disperse protesters and to bring the situation under control. The protesters, thereafter, started to take over the command of important Government establishments and to stop the continuance of allowing running of Government.  

Singtam, became the nerve centre wherefrom all activities of the protestors were mobilised. The public at all vulnerable locations started to make Government machinery dislodged and dysfunctional. In order to repulse the agitators from base camp at Singtam a full contingent of Sikkim guards were paraded prohibiting further movement of the agitators. To give the first death blow to the intrusion of Sikkim guard, Sri B.K. Kharel and myself ably assisted by Shri. Santa Pradhan, Shri. Suren Pradhan, Shri. Mitralal Timsina (Namthang), Lt. Kundan Mull Sarda, Sagarmull Agarwal, Man Bdr. Pradhan, Dilip Subba, Shri. Durga Pradhan (Singtam), Maila Manger (Khamdung), Shri. L.P. Sharma, Shri. Bishnu Prasad Bajagay (Bermoik Tokal), Shrui. Bishnu Bhakta Dhungel, Shri. Dilliram Poudyal (Timi Tarku), Shri. D.P.Pokhrel, Shri. Prabhakar Pokhrel, Shri. Balabhadra Khatiwara, Shri. Trilochan Dhakal, Shri. Tikalal Niroulal, Shri. Mitralal Dhungel (Central Pendam), Shri. K.B. Chamling (Chemchey), Shri. K.B. Rai (Yangang) Shri. Gorey Sherpa (Damthang), Shri. M.P. Rai (Bikmat), Shri. B.S. Karki, Shri. K.L. Gurung, Shri. P.B. Basneth, Shri. Bhanu Pradhan (Rangpo Bazar), Kewal Singh Gurung (Phong), Harka Bahadur Gurung (Phong), Laxmi Pd. Dhungyal (Palitam), Gauri Shankar Pradhan (Rangpo) and several other intercepted Sikkim Guard’s movement by erecting a human chain and stood up firmly in front of Thakurbari temple and stopped the guards from moving ahead.

Later on, it was understood that Sikkim guards had marched from Gangtok with a planned strategy and design to drive away the protesters and take over the control of the Government establishments, bank, Police out post from the public. It was well designed move to present a picture to the Government of India that the administrative machinery was still in the hand of the Government and the agitation was losing ground. The strong contingent of force was led by Shri. K.S. Gurung. Colonel (On deputation from Indian Army), Captain Roland Christopher and Shri. R.B. Mukhiya, District Officer East who had been assigned with the job of restoring law and order by all means. Initially, the protestors accompanying Kharel brothers were scared of getting head on confrontation with the guards and deserted their leaders for fear of being shot dead. Repeated warning was given by the District Officer to open fire at the public, if the area was not vacated. Initially it showed result, but when the leaders continued to indulge in arguments and confrontations with the guards, the crowd slowly started to swell up. The leaders in no circumstance were willing to compromise with their demand and surrender before the guards. Within a few hours of prolong tussle the crowd became alarmingly big and threatened to go on offensive. Sensing the firm stand and strength of the demonstrators Col. K.S. Gurung and his team softened their stand and avoided resorting to unlawful firing despite clear instructions to this effect.   

It was later transpired that he too was sympathetic towards the demand of the protestors. Besides a few senior Govt. Officers were also detailed to convince the protestors and disrupt the movement. They addressed the protestors marching towards Gangtok at Sang Khola and tried to pacify and appease them and not to get disillusioned with the move of the political leaders.

Shri. R.C. Poudyal, the fire brand leader of J.A.C. termed the incident at Singtam as a turning point in the achievement of the historical and political success in institutionalizing the democratic Govt. in the State. He opined that if the Sikkim Guards had succeeded to penetrate through Singtam to the outlying areas, the Govt. would have considered its triumph to crush the movement and a situation similar to that of Bhutanese refugees would have arisen forcing upon several participating families to seek shelter elsewhere outside Sikkim.

Preceding the incident of Singtam, the Sikkim Guards while advancing towards Singtam from Gangtok had arrested several persons marching on foot to Gangtok and boarded them in spacious vans. One such victim was Shri. D.P. Pokhrel of West Pendam who was arrested near the Singtam Govt. Hospital gate and was later released along with others at Singtam Bazaar following persistent resistance from the protestors. Shri. D.P. Pokhrel was subsequently designated as the Janta Officer In-Charge at Singtam P.S. under the order Shri. L.D. Kazi. Shri. Pokhrel carried out his responsibilities devotedly till the end of the agitation. He is fully aware of the happenings that took place during the intervening period. Shri. Pokhrel is still at West Pendam in sound health and energetic to share and reveal factual information to those who are interested. There was a report of an eye witness that a few elderly persons and Govt. Officials were helping the guards clandestinely in their mission to persuade the protestors through speeches to return back home for their own safety. These persons were spotted at Jali Power House in the guise of sympathizers of the agitation, but on the contrary they engaged in a dubious role of dispelling the volunteers back. We have the name and information of those people who had such malaise indentions. Late Shri. Adhiklall Pradhan of Pakyong was one who was also sighted on the spot speaking to the protestors.

At Gangtok, realizing that the situation was slipping out of hand, an emergency meeting was convened at the Palace and was attended by Senior Govt. Officials and leaders of the Chogyal supported political parties to make an on the spot assessment of the ongoing agitation and to plan out an appropriate strategy to counter the movement and to dissipate and derail it. Two young engineers of Power Department viz Shri. L.P. Tiwari and Shri. P.P. Kharel who had their presence in the meeting narrated the entire outcome to the members of the J.A.C. later vis-à-vis the strategy planned and adopted by the intelligence agency of the Government to encounter and diffuse the movement. Inputs were provided in the meeting that the movement at Singtam was spear headed by Kharel brothers and Shri Santosh Rai Ex. DFO. Pakyong.

The majority of the Govt. Officials suggested for opening up dialog with J.A.C. and adopt a middle path to end the crisis. One senior officer who also became Chief Secretary later was very vocal as usual in presenting his views asked the Govt. to adopt a lenient approach to address the demand of the agitators first and ensure peaceful settlement of the problem. At Singtam as the agitation was underway several hundred people were provided with two square meals and drinking water daily by the well wishers, representatives of the various social organizations, govt. Officials that provided great deal of relief to the agitators to maintain continuity of the agitation. 

To oversee the health and hygiene of the demonstrators Dr. D.P. Kharel, Chief Medical Officer In-Charge, Singtam Govt. Hospital, took painstaking supervision round the clock and offered timely medical advises and medicines. Patients who were under scrutiny and surveillance on suspect of being Pro-Chogyal were quietly and safely reached to their houses in Govt. ambulance preventing them from continuance of further harassment.  Other Officials posted at Singtam viz Shri. Dinesh Pradhan A.E. Shri. Kapil Chettri, Shri. Gopal Pradhan, Shri. R.K. Pradhan, Shri. Damber Chettri, J.K. Chettri as Junior Engineers. Mamu Sister and many others helped the organisers to manage the stay of the demonstrators.

An interesting event worth sharing was that of the return of Shri K.L. Rai (Ravong Saila) at Singtam after a long disappearance from Sikkim, and his indulgence in anti social activity of intimidation and attempting extortion of local businessmen and Govt. Officials. He knew the prevailing volatile law and order situation at Singtam and tried to take a maximum advantage of the same. His entry to Sikkim, through Melli Checkpost was reported to Shri. Ashok Tsong, Ex. MLA, who gave prior information to Shri. D.P. Pokhrel to remain alert and not to hand over any arms and ammunition as and when demanded by him. He made unsuccessful attempt to collect money but due to timely and vigilant intervention of public his mission got aborted. On public complaint he was later arrested by CRPF at Rongli.

Another incident was that of Shri. D.N. Thakarpa, Ex Speaker, SLA who was forced by the agitators at Gyalsing to participate in the movement at Singtam. The prominent among the leaders forcing him to support the agitation were Shri. S.B. Subedi, Shri. Chinkazi Srestha and others as he was suspected as being the sympathizer of Chogyal. He was however, lucky to have the presence of his college/mates Kharel brothers at Singtam who firmly stood behind him and kept him at their company providing all comforts and protection, Similarly, the notable personalities in the adjoining areas having their easy access to Durbar viz Sangmu Mondal, Phurba Maila, Rinchen Kazi, Sarki Mahjan, Kunjang Dorjee and several others were made to surrender and participate in the movement. They were nevertheless given proper protection and treatment on joining the movement. Another instance was that of Shri. Dhan Subba, Ex. Secretary to the Govt. who was wrongly identified as the emissary of palace as he entered Sikkim. He had actually returned from United Kingdom after completing a course with the financial support of the then Queen Gyalmo. The demonstrators confined him at Janata Thana for some hours but was finally released on intervention by Kharel Brothers.

In outlying districts Sri. T.P. Sharma, District Officer, Gyalshing. Shri. Sonam Wangdi Bhutia, Dy. District Officer, Namchi were also reportedly intimidated and manhandled by the agitators branding them as the undercover agents of the Govt. They were simply exercising their authority for law enforcement but the misinformed mob mistook and misjudged their role to harass them. In West and South District the imminent personalities participating in the movement were Lt. Tulshi Pradhan family, Lt. Lalman Chong, Shri. Navin Gurung from Dentam, Lt. P.B. Gurung from Puretar and most importantly all Gurung families from Chakung. From South, Lt. D.P. Rajalim (Namchi), Lt. R.B. Rai. Gjurpisey, Lt. Nanda Bahadur Rai. Melli. Shri. Mohan Sharma, Ex. MLA, Melli, Dhital family, Payoung, Melli, Lt. C. Pradhan, Sumbuk. The presence of these persons at Singtam along with many others who are not mentioned here made it possible to gear up the pace of movement.

Similarly, Gangtok was not an exception as being the home town of several important political leaders viz Shri. Netuk Lama, Shri. M.B. Basnet, Bojoghari Lama to mention a few who met the same fate.

The process of mass mobilization of public at Singtam lasted for almost a month till signing of the May 8^th Agreement. Lt. R.C. Poudyal along with Shri. N.K. Subedi, Shri. K.N. Upreti , Shri.  Karma Peda Bhutia had earlier broke their fast agreeing and reciprocating the terms of the May 8^th Agreement. It may be mentioned that several intellectual members involved in the democratic movement had actually demanded to institutionalize a stable popular Govt. with the Chogyal as constitutional head and preserving distinct identity of Sikkim as a separate country.

Everyone agrees that Singtam had a pivotal role in the embargo created on the movement of Sikkim Guards beyond Singtam Bazar was definitely a turning point in the accomplishment of success of movement. The abrupt process of political change and transformation of power was unarguably the result of the movement generated at Singtam. However, no political analyst, authors, writers and historians have held in high regard to this and have otherwise expressed personal views giving overrated merit to the participants who either had no role or a minimal contribution only to the movement. The important sequence of events leading to the formation of popular govt, as a consequence of the political activity at Singtam, has lost sight of the historians and the authorities of the Govt.The conferment of award over a period of time depended not upon the contribution made by persons on the ground but on the capricious desired and preferences of the choosers. Facts remain that the historical event can never undergo change through misrepresentation and misinterpretation. It is hence still not late for the Govt. in power to undertake a detailed judicious and analytical study of the historical happenings and offer tribute to the individuals who deserve it most emphatically.

Felicitation of the freedom Combatant was initiated and introduced in the SDF Govt. itself and while the previous Chief Minister himself was an eye witness to the operation of the movement made his occasional presence at Singtam being a close associate of Shri. N.B. Khatiwara. The present HCM probably being in his School did not perhaps had the privilege to get an insight on the magnitude of the agitation.

Having said so, it is earnestly appealed to the present HCM to consider this sensitive and umbrageous matter in the right perspective by accessing an authentic report prepared under the guidance of dedicated officials with unprejudiced reasoning.  This would be a great exercise and also an achievement for the present Govt. to ensure earmarking of deserving persons, commending and felicitating them officially on the occasion of 50^th years of achieving statehood.

Reverting back once again, while the movement was surging ahead, the Govt. machinery had become almost non-functional and twenty eight senior officials of the Govt. chose to present a written memorandum to the political officer at Gangtok proposing to hand over the administration of the state to the Govt. of India. The Chogyal also finding it difficult to restore back the law and order had no other option but to request for intervention of the Govt. of India. This development, led to signing of the May 8^th Agreement and subsequently association of Sikkim in the Union of India as a separate State.

Whatever was the situation, the signing of the document by Chogyal and all the Political Parties stands as an evidence of willing acceptance of the merger with Union of India. It is needless to dwell upon the development of post merger scenario under the Political Leadership and Stewardship of five different Chief Ministers and their successive Govt. I confine only to the activities prior to formation of the popular Govt. and would not prefer in opening a pandora box of deficiencies of good governance in all successive Govts. It is for the enlightened citizens to remain awakened and concerned towards the rapid Socio, Economic and Political Development of the State and act as a watch dog to ensure transparency in the governance as corruption and development do not go hand in hand.

The above is just an overview of what transpired in the different stages and phases of agitation with Singtam as its epicentre. By and large, the agitation ended peacefully except for stray incidences of violence and unsocial activity perpetuated by anti social elements. The unfortunate murder of Shri. Phurba Maila of Song Bazaar, torching and burning down of private houses of important persons were the handwork of radical and criminal intruders from outside having no roots in Sikkim and not in any way concerned with the political transformation in Sikkim.

What is to be appreciated is the perseverance and conviction of the law abiding citizens of the State who despite all odds continued to provide physical and emotional support to their front line leaders viz Kazi Lendup Dorjee, K.C. Pradhan, Nahakul Pradhan, R.C Poudyal, N.B. Khatiwara, B.P. Kharel, B.P. Dahal, Rinzing Tongden Lepcha, Naina Tshering Lepcha, S. K. Rai, Badri Pradhan, K.N. Uprety to name a few  who sacrificed everything to carry forward the movement and taking it to a logical conclusion of achieving mutually acceptable political system and a stable democratic Government in Sikkim.     

(Views are personal)

NOTE

The purpose of uploading this article published earlier in SIKKIM EXPRESS  is to remind all concerned to remain sensitive and injustice to the past history which has changed the Political Scenario of Sikkim to the present status. The events of political and historical development should not be altered by way of ill fed misinformation. The Present popular Govt. is expected to render Justice unlike the previous regime which acknowledged in hastiness the preen of selection made in most undemocratic manner.