The new political party of Sikkim, Hamro Sikkim Party (HSP) was launched in the presence of a huge gathering of people at Daramdin Bazaar in West Sikkim on Thursday.
Founding members of the party and former skipper of Indian national football team, Bhaichung Bhutia; former minister, Ran Bahadur Subba and others offered prayers and raised the party flag.
On the occasion, Bhaichung Bhutia, Ran Bahadur Subba, Tirtha Sharma, Dr Bina Basnet, DS Limboo, Tara Shrestra, Dilip Rai, Anu Sharma and Athup Lepcha have been announced as vice-presidents, Prem Karki as general secretary, Yogen Rai as secretary, Punya Koirala as publicity secretary and Dilip Rai as spokesperson.
However, the name of the party president is yet to be announced.
It is informed that the party will declare the president very soon after taking the consultation with the people about their choice of their leader.
In his address, Bhaichung stated that HSP was a youth oriented party and has been launched to make Sikkim self-reliant.
He expressed that the politics of the party will be very transparent and pro-people.
He further expressed to maintain the respect received from football and will not let it down by playing dirty politics.
Bhaichung alleged that Sikkim has not seen peace but it was actually the silence of ‘crematory ground’ as the people were not allowed to speak against the bad administration or wrong decisions of the government.
He asserted that the ruling SDF party calls itself the party of the poor but the bitter truth is the people were still poor but the ruling party leaders have became billionaires.
“HSP has been formed to change this system in the State,” he added.
Bhaichung alleged that Chief Minister Pawan Chamling is corrupt and a communal leader.
He challenged the Chief Minister to allow the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the State if he takes himself as a clean leader.
He further alleged that the ruling party has given lands and rivers of the State to private companies in the name of development.
He stated that youths of Sikkim see the Chief Minister as a communal and corrupt leader who has been just constructing statues and distributing money in the name of development.
Bhaichung alleged that roads, electricity and water supply was in very bad condition and sports was a highly neglected sector in the State.
“I even did not get the land from the government to open an academy to support and groom young budding footballers of the State,” he alleged.
He lashed out at the State government on various issues of the State.
Likewise, former minister, Subba expressed that he has not felt bad while leaving the SDF party although being a founder member of the party.
“I have left SDF party as it has been failed to fulfil the basic needs of the people of Sikkim. If HSP comes to power then we will give LT seat within three days,” he said.
The meeting was also addressed by other leaders of the party.