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Chamling expels five SDF members,
Cong denies toppling bid

Chamling axed a member of the central executive committee Sonam Bhutia, former joint secretary Nima Theengh and primary members Lobzang Bhutia, Dicho Bhutia and Anil Lachengpa for 'anti-party activities and serious breach of party discipline', on December 21, SDF General Secretary (Admn) S K Pradhan said.

Political observers in Gangtok attributed the expulsion of the five from the party for having a hand in trying to topple the Chamling government.

SPCC general secretary Jigme N Kazi said in a statement, "The Congress is neither interested in toppling nor saving the government. The party is being revived in the interest of the people and will endeavour to become a strong opposition with a view to forming the next government in Sikkim through a democratic process.''

Kazi condemned reports in a section of the press that the Congress was trying to topple the SDF government in the state and said, "The reports are baseless, mischievous and politically motivated.''

The non-political Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee, a body of the minority communities, also said reports about its bid to topple the Chamling government were not true.

The Joint Action Committee of the All Sikkim Buddhist Organisation, which has been demanding boy monk Urgyen Thinley Dorjee's installation as the 17th Karmapa at Rumtek, had on Friday condemned a 'desperate attempt' by the rival Shamarpa Rimpoche faction to 'take over' the monastery by 'toppling' the Chamling government.

"Shamarpa Rimpoche (faction) has been having meetings with some disgruntled (political) elements in Sikkim. The purpose of such meetings is plotting the toppling of the democratically elected government led by Pawan Chamling in Sikkim," a JAC statement, signed by its president Kunzang Sherab said.

The JAC, an umbrella organisation of 21 bodies formed in mid-80s, has repeatedly urged the Sikkim and central governments to bring Urgyen Thinley Dorjee, whom the Dalai Lama also recognised as the 17th Karmapa, to Rumtek monastery and install him as the head of the Karma Kagyu sect.

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