Chamling to Gangtokians: Will address all civic issues, protect you from outsider capitalists

GANGTOK,: A robust power and drinking water supply, hydraulic multi-car parking lots, proper garbage management system, and overhead bridges to decongest traffic were promised to Gangtokians by former Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, while urging them to vote SDF 2.0 to the government in this 2024 election.

Chamling was addressing a SDF election campaign meeting here on Sunday for five constituencies that fall within Gangtok Municipal Corporation – Upper Tadong, Arithang, Gangtok, Syari and Upper Burtuk. The SDF candidates of these five constituencies, in their speeches, prominently mentioned these civic constraints as the main grievances of their areas.

“Gangtok has four main problems – water supply, garbage management, parking and traffic, and power supply. The present government has not addressed these issues. We will address these issues and ensure proper supply of drinking water and power, this is our promise to Gangtok,” said the former Chief Minister.

Chamling mentioned that the past SDF government had developed multiple parking lots in Gangtok, adding that the main parking plaza of the State capital is now a “14-storey building”, referring to the West Point mall.

The SDF president maintained that the West Point Mall, which he termed as ‘Mittal Tower’ was illegally constructed and promised to shut it down after forming the government. The West Point parking plaza was for the drivers and people visiting Gangtok, this right of the people was snatched away by the SKM government just to benefit one outsider, we will shut down this mall and other upcoming malls as it is also affects the businesses of people running shops and enterprises in main Gangtok town, he said.

Chamling highlighted that the SDF is committed to protect the Sikkimese communities and old business community from outsider capitalists and businessmen. Under the SKM government, outsiders came and took away the business of our people…our government will frame laws that allows only locals and old businessmen community to do businesses, contract works and other livelihood opportunities in Sikkim, he promised.

Chamling maintained that businesses and commercial activities were thriving in Sikkim under the SDF government, and sought support from the business community to bring back the SDF government. “Besides reviving Sikkim’s economy, the biggest thing the SDF will give to the business community is ‘Shanti’, an environment of peace and security to do business. We have plans to bring 1 crore tourists to Sikkim annually which will automatically boost all forms of business and commercial activities here. Good governance is crucial to foster business environment,” he said.

He urged the gathering from Upper Tadong, Arithang, Gangtok, Upper Burtuk and Shyari constituencies to strengthen the ‘Sikkim Bachao Abhiyan’ of the SDF.

“This election is to save Sikkim and its future, and to bring back peace. This is a ‘do or die’ election for Sikkim…if SKM returns, Sikkim will lose forever and if SDF returns, Sikkim will win forever. I appeal to the people that on April 19, cast your votes in favour of Sikkim,” said Chamling.

Chamling recorded that the SDF has gathered a winning momentum across Sikkim, besides highlighting that a pro-Sikkimese party in power is crucial to protect Sikkim’s interests when Delimitation takes place in 2026.

The former Chief Minister asserted that presently Sikkim is heading towards an economic meltdown like the Great American Depression and Sri Lanka’s bankruptcy due to huge loans taken by the SKM government.

“The present government has taken around Rs. 53,000 crore as loans in five years and at the other hand, sold all our revenue generating assets. Where is the money left to pay the salaries, to run and develop Sikkim? The present situation of Sikkim is like the Great American Depression and the economic ruin of Sri Lanka. How will they bail out Sikkim from this perilous situation they have created? And the bigger question is where such huge amounts of money have gone?” Chamling said. He said the SDF has plans and programmes to recover Sikkim’s economy by taking austerity measures, cutting down unwanted expenditure, stop revenue leakages and creating more revenue sources.

The public meeting was also addressed by SDF Lok Sabha candidate PD Rai, and the five candidates – CB Chettri (Upper Tadong), Tenzing N Lamtha (Syari), Ashis Rai (Arithang), DB Thapa (Upper Burtuk) and Pintso Chopel Lepcha (Gangtok).