SDF seeks Oram mea culpa

SNS, Gangtok, 14 September 2014: The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) has hit back at union minister Jual Oram’s claims of toppling the Pawan Chamling government within six months of ‘winning’ the Yangang by-polls. The party said the minister has insulted the Sikkimese people by daring to bring down a democratically elected government.

Days after Mr Oram, the union tribal affairs minister, warned the SDF over corruption, the ruling party on Saturday called a press conference to counter his charges. Slamming Mr Oram’s remarks, SDF spokespersons Bhim Dahal and KT Gyaltsen said the BJP leader ought to have realized whom his party has partnered with in Sikkim (Opposition Sikkim Krantikari Morcha/SKM) before accusing the fifth term of the SDF.

“Oram has joined hands with a charge-sheeted person to spoil the centre-state relations,” said Mr Dahal, citing several “futile allegations” against the SDF government leveled by opposition forces in the state.

“It may be Oram’s personal statements because it was evidently contrary to his party’s stance,” Mr Dahal added.According to the SDF spokespersons, all allegations leveled by the union minister were politically motivated.

“He has insulted the Sikkimese people by bullying a democratically elected government against the BJP’s inclusive policy. Whom will he befriend after Golay is convicted on graft charges and his party candidate faces rout in the Yangang by-election. He should take back his statements,” Mr Dahal said. He was referring to SKM president PS Golay.Even as Mr Oram disowned the SDF as its ally at the centre, Mr Dahal maintained that his party still has good relations with the BJP.

Mr Dahal and Mr Gyaltsen also ridiculed Mr Golay for “bowing down before the BJP” within merely two-and-a-half years of floating the SKM.

On independent candidate RN Chamling in Yangang, the brother of chief minister Pawan Chamling, the duo said that he was misled by “exploiters and anti-people elements.”

Mr Dahal, however, admitted that the junior Chamling had posed a major challenge for the party’s candidate in the by-polls.