First Sikkim CM’s public appearance in 21 years

GANGTOK, MAY 14: Nonagenarian Kazi Lhendup Dorjee Khangsarpa, the first Chief Minister of Sikkim, would make a public appearance for the f...

GANGTOK, MAY 14: Nonagenarian Kazi Lhendup Dorjee Khangsarpa, the first Chief Minister of Sikkim, would make a public appearance for the first time in 21 years – on the silver jubilee celebration of the state day programme on Tuesday next.

More known as L D Kazi or Kazi Sahab in the region, the leader, who would turn 98 next month, would address the government-organised gathering on May 16, the day Sikkim would step into the 25th year of its statehood – as per an official programme chalked out for the day.

The leader, believed to be instrumental in ushering democracy in the earstwhile Himalayan kingdom, did not appear publicly since he demitted office in October 1979 last.

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The Chamling government also decided to honour 21 surviving MLAs of the first assembly for their contribution to restore democracy in Sikkim.

The first election for the state assembly was held in April 1974 in which Sikkim Congress Party bagged 31 seats. It was during this regime, Sikkim attained statehood in 1975 with Parliament passing the 38th Constitution amendment bill.

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