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...Everything you ever wanted to know about Sikkim

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   POLITICAL HISTORY OF SIKKIM  

  
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In 1947, after the British withdrew from India, a special treaty was signed with the Indian Prime Minister, Jawahar Lal Nehru  giving Sikkim special status. In 1955, democratic progress brought about the institution of the Sikkim Council as a legislative body, under the 1955 Constitution, consisting of a President nominated and appointed by the ruler and Councillors. The Crown Prince travelled to

New York in 1960, met and married a rich

American, Hope Cooke. The wedding was performed in Gangtok according to Strict Buddhist rites. The old ruler Tashi Namgyal died in 1963 and the Crown Prince Palden Namgyal ascended the throne in 1964 who also died of cancer on 30th, Jan 1982 in America. Troubles arose in 1973, that had been brewing a year earlier, when the Sikkim National Congress demanded fresh elections and more representation for the Nepalese. Riots in front of the palace led to a request to India for protection, and the election of Kazi Lendup Dorji never popular with the Chogyal. An attempt was made  by the Chogyal to block the meeting of the Legislature. The Kazi was elected by the Council of Ministers which was unanimous in its opposition to the retention of the Monarchy. Matter came to a head in 1975 when the Kazi appealed to the Indian Parliament for representation and change of status to statehood. The Kazi was elected the Chief Minister, ruling with the aid of cabinet. During the 1977 elections, to the Lok Sabha unopposed on the Congress ticket, the Kazi, later, after the change in the Government of India, joined the Janata Party.

On 13th August 1979, the Assembly was dissolved and the Government resigned a few days later. On 8th August, Sikkim came under President's rule. Fresh elections were held on 12th October 1979 expiry of the validity of the President Proclamation. A popular ministry headed by Mr. Nar Bahadur Bhandari, leader of the Sikkim Parishad Party came into power from 18th October, 1979. Then the Assembly comprised of 32 members of which 17 were general seats, 12 seats are reserved for Scheduled tribes including mainly Sherpas, Lepchas and Bhutias, two for Scheduled Castes and one for Sangha (Monasteries).

Originally, Sikkim Parishad had won 16 seats in the House, then the strength of the ruling party has increased to 21 and others were eight members from Congress (Revolutionary) , one from Sikkim Prajatantra Congress and two independents. 

Mr.B.B.Lal was the first Governor of Sikkim and after him, Mr. H.J.H. Taleyarkhan, Mr. K Prabhakar Rao, Mr. B.N. Singh, Mr. T.V. Rajeshwar, Mr. S.K. Bhatnagarand Mr. Admiral R.H. Tahiliani.

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