Supporters bid Teary-Eyed Farewell to Pawan Chamling

Gangtok, May 26, 2019:

Outgoing Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, who was India's longest serving Chief Minister for any state since independence, was paid a teary-eyed farewell by his supporters after his Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) party's defeat in the 2019 General Elections.

People gathered at the Chief Minister's residence Mintokgang as the outgoing Chief Minister Pawan Chamling prepared to vacate the official residence and move to his native home at Ghurpishey in Namchi. Many of his supporters were seen sobbing while offering him the traditional khadas (scarf) as a token of respect.

[caption id="attachment_31232" align="alignnone" width="660"] Chamling's supporters sobbingskm[/caption]

The Chief Minister's residence was thronged by hundreds, if not thousands of supporters who went to his residence to catch a last glimpse of the Chief Minister before his successor takes charge of the hill state.

Pawan Chamling held his last cabinet meet and meetings with other top bureaucrats. It may be mentioned that he had offered his resignation to the Governor on Friday.

Chamling had said that he has accepted his mandate and will fulfil the role that is expected of him in the opposition. The outgoing Chief Minister also expressed confidence that his 25-year rule in the hill state will be seen as a "golden era" in days to come.

It may be mentioned that Chamling is the second Chief Minister in India after Jyoti Basu, of West Bengal to govern a state five terms in a row, with his party Sikkim Democratic Front winning the 1994, 1999, 2004, 2009 and 2014 Sikkim Legislative Assembly elections. His party first came to power in Sikkim after winning the 1994 assembly elections. His popularity kept soaring in Sikkim due to his developmental work and for maintaining peace.

Meanwhile, the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM), which reached the magical number of 17 Assembly Seats, is all set to form the Government on the hilly State.

SKM legislators led by party chief P S Golay met governor Ganga Prasad at the Raj Bhavan on Tuesday and staked claim to form the new Government in Sikkim.

Golay is expected be the next Chief Minister of the hill State and is expected to take oath at the Paljor Stadium in Sikkim capital Gangtok.

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