Chamling offers support to UPA

Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling today met UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and offered unconditional support of his party, Sikkim Democratic Front, to the Congress-led ruling alliance. Chamling has won three consecutive Assembly polls in Sikkim and is unwilling to merge his small regional party with the Congress.

Chamling does have one plea. It has been 29 years since Sikkim became an integral part of India. ‘‘Yet no Sikkim resident has made it to any top Central constitutional job in the country,’’ argued the Chief Minister.

He sought a ministerial berth and said he would be happy if his party MP was given the job of an MoS. ‘‘The emotional integration of our people with India is complete. It is probably the most peaceful state in the North-East. Yet, the Sikkimese have not made it to any top Constitutional jobs. We have not yet had a High Court judge, forget about a Supreme Court judgeship,’’ said Chamling.

He pointed out that no Sikkimese had ever become a governor or enjoyed other top bureaucratic jobs at the Centre.