SDF demands Bhandari's removal from SPCC Post

Gangtok, Nov 14 (UNI) Ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) today demanded removal of former Chief Minister Nar Bahadur Bhandari from the Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee president for alleged indulging in anti-national activities.

SDF spokesman B B Gooroong told a newsconference here that Mr Bhandari had recently questioned the genuiness of the referendum that paved this easrtwhile Chogyal kingdom to merge with India in April 1975.

In a booklet titled ''Congress Sandesh'' the Congress Party said the referendum was rigged, the voters were intimated to vote in favour of the resolution and the result of the referendum was announced before the counting of votes, Mr Gooroong quoting the same as saying.

Mr Gooroong said the referendum was done when the Congress government led by Indira Gandhi was in power at the Centre and Mr Bhandari had no right to indulge in such anti-national activities.

Mr Gooroong, who is also advisor to Sikkim Chief Minster Pawan Kumar Chamling, said the SDF government had already taken up the issue with Congress President Sonia Gandhi. ''It was an act of impropriety on the part of Mr Bhandari and he should be removed from the Party post,'' Mr Gooroong demanded.

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