EVERYONE predicted a tough fight. Many even jumped to the conclusion that it was end of Chamling raj in Sikkim, especially after the Bhutia and Lepcha community decided to join hands with the Congress. Some of his trusted colleagues also left him thinking that they have rightly read the writing on the wall well in advance. Question was raised: would he be able to beat the anti-incumbency factor?

But from the very beginning Pawan Chamling was confident about his party’s victory. He was the only person, who from day one maintained that his party would come back to power. His opponents brought all sorts of allegations against him ranging from nepotism to corruption. But Chamling did not waste time in answering any of these allegations. Rather he spoke about development. He told the people that how much developmental works had taken place during his regime and what more he wants to for the people in the coming days. And ultimately he proved his critics wrong. Mr. Chamling was relaxed and at ease with the media attention he was getting in his first visit to Delhi after his third consecutive victory in Sikkim Assembly elections. He was in a hurry to keep his appointments with the central leaders. But kept his door was open to all the visitors, who came to congratulate him for the tremendous achievement and when requested, agreed to speak to North East News Agency. Excerpts of the interview: North East News Agency: Congratulations. Was it not the toughest ever electoral battle of your political career? Pawan Chamling: Thank you. I don’t think so. From the very outset we were confident of victory. We knew what we did when in power and clear about our future plans. We went to the people with a specific agenda and that agenda was development. The need of the hour in Sikkim is development and the people saw the amount of developmental works taken up during our regime. Development was our main poll plank. We are thankful to the people of Sikkim that they reposed their faith on us.

NENA: Then was it the easiest victory?
Pawan Chamling: I do not judge victories in this manner. All I can say that we were confident about our victory from the very beginning.

NENA: Even after the Bhutias and the Lepchas decided to support the Congress. The Bhutia-Lepcha factor had always played an important role in the poll outcome in Sikkim. Their support is crucial in winning elections in Sikkim. Pawan Chamling: I don’t think so. The Bhutia-Lepcha factor is not so strong in Sikkim as some people thought and the fact was established by the poll results.

NENA: How did you beat the anti-incumbency factor? What is the secret?
Pawan Chjamling: There is no secret in it. There was no anti-incumbency factor in Sikkim as from the very beginning we tried to be always by the side of the people. We always tried to address their needs and redress their grievances. We didn’t make any false promises and tried to keep the words.

NENA: What are your future plans?
Pawan Chamling: Ensuring all round development of the State. Though a lot of development work had already been done, there are many more things to do. I will try to finish all these works as early as possible.

NENA: But Nathula Pass, the trade route with China, which was supposed to be opened in July, has been deferred. What is your comment?
Pawan Chamling: I do not want to comment on Nathula. This is a matter between the Indian Government and the Chinese authority.

NENA: Experts say that plenty of talents in sports are available in Sikkim. How is your government planning to tap those young talents?
Pawan Chamling: We have taken up various schemes to pick up the budding sporting talents in the State. In this year’s Athens Olympic two Sikimmese boys will don the Indian colours in Archery and Judo. This is no mean achievement considering the size and population of the State.

NENA: Your decision to support the UPA Government at the Centre has baffled many. What prompted you to take such a decision after remaining with the NDA for five years?
Pawan Chamling: Our policy is very clear in this regard. We have taken this decision keeping the State’s interest in mind. We will not go in to electoral alliance with any party. But we will support the government at the Centre from outside and unconditionally.

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