Kazi: Architect of modern Sikkim

Gangtok, Jul 29: Kazi Lhendup Dorji Khangsarpa, acclaimed as the forerunner of democratic movement in Sikkim, was one of the architects of merger of Sikkim with Indian Union on May 16, 1975.

He was also conferred the Padma Vibhusan by the Centre and Sikkim Ratna, the highest civilian award of Sikkim government.

Born in Pakyong, East Sikkim in the ancient and noble Khangsarpa family in the year 1904, Kazi entered the Rumtek monastery at the age of six years and succeeded in becoming its the Head lama.

In 1945, Kazi Lhendup Dorji started the Sikkim Praja Mandal and was elected its first President. In 1953, he became President of Sikkim State Congress and held the post till 1958. During his Presidentship of the Sikkim State Congress, he led a delegation to Delhi in 1954 to call on the then Prime Minister Pandit Jawarhalal Nehru.

Kazi Lhendup later floated another party called the Sikkim National Congress in 1962. His main approach was to form a non-communal party which could give to the people of Sikkim peace, prosperity and progress. The foundation of this party gave a new direction to the political life in Sikkim. Fighting on this platform, his party secured eight seats out of eighteen in the 3rd general elections of Sikkim.

In the 4th general elections held in 1970, Kazi Lhendup was appointed as an Executive Councilor and was allotted the portfolio of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry and Transport Authority.

On July 4, 1974, Sikkim entered a new phase in its political development, with the Government of Sikkim Act of 1974 coming into being. July 23, 1974 became another historic day, when a popularly elected government was sworn in at the Palace by the Chogyal and a Council of Ministers was formed under the stewardship of Kazi Lhendup Dorji whose Sikkim Congress Party got 31 out of 32 seats in the elections held in April 1974.

The Sikkim Assembly elected Kazi as its leader and he was duly appointed as the Chief Minister of Sikkim on this historic day.

The Sikkim Congress delegates used to attend the annual sessions of the Indian National Congress.

After Sikkim became a part of India in 1975 and emerged as 22nd State of India, Sikkim Congress became an integral part of the Indian National Congress. Under Kazi's government (1974-1979) Sikkim saw the initial democratic forays and infrastructural developments.

UNI