Local issues dominate Sikkim election

Local issues like reservation of seats in the state Assembly for Limboo and Tamang communities, implementation of a report recommending tribal status for Sikkim and the alleged dual nationality of Chief Minister P K Chamling are dominating the poll scene in this mountain state.

Local issues like reservation of seats in the state Assembly for Limboo and Tamang communities, implementation of a report recommending tribal status for Sikkim and the alleged dual nationality of Chief Minister P K Chamling are dominating the poll scene in this mountain state.

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The non-implementation of reservation of seats in the Assembly for the Limboo and Tamang communities after their inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes list in 2003 is a particular sore point with the Sikkim Democratic Front.

All opposition parties have come together to question the ruling party’s commitment to deliver the goods to the two tribal communities despite committing the same in its manifesto in 2004.

Admitting the SDF government had failed to secure the due constitutional rights of Limboo and Tamang people, comprising an estimated 16 per cent of the population, Chamling said his government will take up the matter with the Centre for an enactment to make a provision for reservation of seats in the Assembly for the two communities.