People Of Sikkim Yearn For Clean Governance: Ex Football Star Bhaichung Bhutia
NDTV
"There has been a rise in crime and drug abuse, there is massive corruption in the government and organised political violence has increased," he alleged.
People of the Himalayan idyll of Sikkim yearn for a "corruption and violence-free" government in elections to the state assembly slated to be held early next year, said ace footballer-turned-politician Bhaichung Bhutia.
In an interview with PTI, Mr Bhutia, who heads the Hamro Sikkim Party (HSP) said his party is working closely with the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) led by former chief minister Pawan Kumar Chamling on issues such as the "dilution" of Article 371F, which give certain special rights on land ownership to Sikkimese people.
He said there is a strong possibility of an electoral alliance between the two parties which had also joined hands on another key demand - introducing an Inner Line Permit (ILP) which would restrict visitors and settlers in the pristine state wedged between West Bengal, Nepal, and China.
"HSP wants all opposition parties in Sikkim to unitedly fight the SKM-BJP alliance and defeat it in next year's polls. We are already working closely with the SDF and raising our voices together over current issues. So, there is a possibility of an electoral alliance between HSP and SDF," the former India football captain told PTI in a telephonic interview.
