Editorial: Mirror, Mirror

The Sikkim Democratic Front turns 19 on Sunday and observes its second decadal foundation day. Few regional parties in Sikkim have aged with grace, and since 19 is past middle-age for regional parties [in fact, the SDF is now the oldest surviving regional political outfit in the State], it is time for the ruling party to undertake some serious introspection. Its leaders and founding members should step back, recover from the breakneck speed at which the party has swept through Sikkim, return to the original ideology that had brought them together in 1993 and honestly answer whether it is still the same ideas that keep them together or whether it is just the convenience of being in power that has become reason enough now. The party has received and parted ways with many leaders in the course of the past two decades, but to its credit, has weathered these changes well even as it moves through another round is disgruntled supporters and dissident leaders. Given the mutinous mood of a section within the party, most proponents of which have since been expelled, the second decadal foundation day celebrations will be closely watched by the people and the fence-sitters. It is perhaps for this reason that the party office-bearers are planning a massive show of strength at Jorethang in South Sikkim where the celebrations are planned. While numbers [of people in attendance] are important in politics, the strength that a regional party entering its twentieth year in Sikkim can convey more convincingly is in the manner in which it nuances the celebration and the resolve it displays to undertake frank soul-searching. More important than the opposition or dissident bashing in the many speeches expected on the day will be the direction set for the 20th year for the party by its leaders. This, after all, will lay the foundations for its electoral bid in 2014.
While some of the answers and situations might embarrass, there should be no shame in ferreting out uncomfortable answers. In fact, it is only such soul-searching that can keep future embarrassments at bay. This soul-searching is also necessary because the SDF has had a reasonably easy stay in power. Save some bush fires, its continuance in government has not been put under any exceptional stress so far. This is also to the party’s disadvantage, because competition keeps people sharp and lethargy infects in its absence. Many signs of luxury-induced lethargy already manifest within the party ranks and the massive rewriting of the candidates list in the 2009 elections does not appear to have burnt off too much fat. Even the hardcore SDF supporter will not deny this. It’s only retrospection that can identify where this lethargy has set and which limbs need exercising before they start wasting away. The approaching panchayat elections offer a good opportunity to initiate changes and reorientation of priorities. If the opportunity goes a begging, the SDF will still remain in power, but would have wasted a chance to become more connected with the people. Politicking and allegations and counter-allegations, now even court cases, are an expected part of politics and do not influence support bases beyond providing some vicarious entertainment. What one looks forward to is a politics which moves beyond character assassinations and ceaseless insinuations. Sikkim, with its disturbing suicide rate, runaway substance abuse problem and increasing materialism, is facing a host of social challenges which have remained largely unaddressed. SDF is the largest political unit in Sikkim, and now also the oldest, it would be nice to see the party announce a course of action on how it plans to assist this social intervention without playing big brother.