SDF condemns Sikkim MLA's secession threat to governor

The Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) Wednesday strongly condemned the opposition Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) MLA Ugen Nedup Bhutia's threat of secession to state Governor Shriniwas Patil.

"The Sikkim Democratic Front forcefully condemns SKM MLA Shri Ugen Nedup Bhutia's threat to the head of the State of Sikkim - Hon'ble Governor - that 'Sikkimese people shall immediately withdraw exercising their due political rights without fear or fervour, preferring to revert back to pre-1975 model'," SDF MP P.D. Rai said in a statement.

"The SKM MLA's threat suggesting that Sikkimese people will secede from India is highly provocative, anti-India, and has exposed the anti-national image of his party, the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha. By making such a statement, SKM is practically following the agenda of separatists with the blessing of former chief minister Nar Bahadur Bhandari whose anti-merger and anti-India stance is well known," he added.

According to a report published in the Sikkim Express Wednesday, Bhutia submitted a memorandum to the governor Tuesday stating that, in his legislative assembly constituency, Kabi Longstok, there have been rampant transfers of government employees who supported the SKM in the recent assembly elections in the state.

"If such incidents are allowed to run its writ, there is no reason that the Sikkimese people shall immediately withdraw exercising their due political rights without any fear and fervour, preferring to revert back to pre-1975 model where at least free and fearless democratic exercise was ensured," the memorandum stated.

"The SKM MLA must appreciate that he won by only a narrow margin of 126 votes or 1.3 percent and does not have the mandate or the authority to make the sweeping statements on behalf of Sikkimese people," Rai said in condemnation.

"We completely condemn such anti-national sentiments and are shocked that an elected representative has threatened the Governor of the State of Sikkim of secession."

Sikkim became a state of India in 1975, prior to which it was an autonomous protectorate of India.

In the assembly elections held this year, the ruling SDF won 22 of the 32 seats.