Chamling calls on party workers to cement grassroots base by sweeping panchayat polls

SDF CELEBRATES GARIBI UNMULAN DIWAS
GANGTOK, 23 Sept: Sikkim Democratic Front celebrated Garibi Unmolam Diwas in grand manner here at SDF Bhawan on Saturday. SDF party president, Chief Minister Pawan Chamling was present as the chief guest on the occasion.
Addressing the occasion, the Chief Minister stated that besides being his birthday, this day was important for him for many more reasons, primary among which is that it was on this day in 1993 when, after having remained ‘underground’ for around 3 months, he had returned to public life and launched the SDF movement for change.

“So this day is important as it was on this day that fear was lifted from the people’s minds empowering them to stand up and fight for their rights,” said the CM.
This day is also dedicated to poverty eradication in the state, stated the CM and directed the party workers to help the needy in their respective areas. He added that eradication of poverty is not possible until people broaden their thinking and bring a change in their mindset.
He urged members of the party to inform people about the various opportunities provided by the state.
Speaking on the upcoming Panchayat election, the CM urged members not to get disappointed if they are not given the party ticket for this election. On the reservation issue, he added that despite recommendations and suggestions, the Election Commission is an independent body, free to take its own decisions and urged people not to be unhappy with the reservation pattern.
At the same time, he congratulated the women on the 50% reservation in the panchayats now enjoyed by them. He encouraged women to work efficiently after being elected to prove that women of Sikkim can deliver their responsibilities effectively.
The CM informed that he will be conducting a meeting with the MLAs on Monday to take various decisions and to constitute the Panchayat Election Committees. The party needs to work together to ensure that all its candidates win in the election, he stressed. Stressing that the rural body polls were important, he further directed that the party’s focus should be to contest and win all the seats.
“Wherever there are candidates against us, the focus should not be on making them withdraw, but to fight the elections and win,” he stressed.
He pointed that there is a clash of interests within the party and those interested in the good of the people are few while those with personal interests are many. On the same, he urged party members to work in the interest of Sikkim and its people and added that even politics should be played in the interest of the state and the people.
On the occasion, the CM announced an increase in the daily wages of labourers from April onwards. He mentioned that Sikkim has only 3% unemployed persons which, he said, is the lowest in the country. On the same, he announced that the 17,000 unemployed in the state would be provided with trainings in elite services, banking, hospitality, etc., within Sikkim and outside.
Also on the day, a two-minute silence was observed to mourn the passing away of Lachen Gomchen Rinpoche, former MLA Ram Lepcha and other members of the party.