SDF dissident reveals – How Karki became Crorepati over years?

Himalayan Mirror Bureau

Gangtok, November 25: Even as the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) that came to power on ‘pro-poor’ plank has held the forts since the last 16 years, the party’s ‘pro-poor’ policy is seen as being doubted by some of its own members. Tapping to the tunes of dissidence within the party making headlines, a member of the party today expressed his qualms on how some of Chamling’s close aides have elevated to millionaires from ordinary party workers during the party’s regime since 1994.

On conditions of anonymity, the annoyed member said that turbulence is immensely felt within the SDF and further said that many of its working members were busy assessing how much property their leaders have amassed during the party’s government in the state.

Citing instance of Chamling’s close aide and member of his ‘Kitchen Cabinet’, CB Karki’s elevation from an ordinary government prior entering politics to a multi millionaire, the peeved member delved on the insights of Karki, a copy of which was provided to this publication.

Interestingly, the affidavit of the assets details of movable and immovable properties and numerous chattels which Karki presented before the Election Commission while filing nominations on 8 April earlier this year have depicted some meaningful insights of asset status of one among the many SDF legislators. On the other hand, the asset particulars of CB Karki’s spouse who once worked as an Auxiliary Nursing Midwife (ANM Nurse) but later resigned, is obvious to indicate the penetration of the SDF’s ‘pro-poor’ stand into the personal spheres of its members.

The party member further revealed all fine points pertaining to Karki’s property. Karki, presently the state Rural Management and Development minister with charges of various allied departments and also the SDF party treasurer, had declared to have in cash Rs.3,35,115 while Rs.2,25,345 was declared to be held in cash by his spouse Nirmala Chettri Karki. To top it off, the candidate had announced of having banked Rs. 1,59,594.66 while he wife had Rs.1,82,672.19 as bank balance. Many Life Insurance and Post Office policies worth several Lakhs were also depicted in Karki’s statement. Similarly, Karki’s land details valued an agricultural land at Poluk, Namchi at Rs.6,48,120 while similar holdings at Ranka has been valued at Rs.7,08,620. Adding to all these is his residential lands at Rangpo and 5th Mile Tadong which would fetch over Rs.7,74,669 and Rs.3,96,000 in the commercial space. Karki’s constructed houses at 5th Mile and Rangpo has been calculated at a whooping cost of Rs.38,13,180 and Rs.17,65,000 correspondingly.

On the contrary, the ministerial candidate has been conquered by his spouse in terms of assets. She has stated agricultural lands worth Rs.6,95,030 and Rs.48,296 in Arithang block and Rawtey Rumtek respectively. In addition to these a land in West Pendam-Rs. 24,77,880; Mellidara – Rs.17,06,495; Two lands in Tadong valued at Rs.3,20,000 and Rs.38,495; another at Tadong Joredhara has been valued at Rs.17,00,000. Mrs. Karki’s declaration also mentions of lands at West Pendam – Rs.3,43,436 ; Tashiding-Rs.35,28,000 and a semi-pucca house at Tadong has been prized at Rs.1,75,000.

The displeased member within the SDF further slammed the minister for ‘Drain of wealth’ to other states outside Sikkim from among the properties earned from Sikkim . Quoting the affidavit, he further read that Karki owns a residential flat with garage in one of the Posh locations in Pradhannagar, Siliguri bought at Rs.9,89,480 while the minister’s family have also declared of having in possession a plot of land in some areas with Darjeeling district that have been valued Rs.6,90,000. In the affidavit, CB Karki has also declared of having taken Rs.4,72,074.24 as loan from a nationalized bank while his housing loan dues stands at Rs. 14,49,276, adding to his reserves is a house that Karki had booked under Sahara India Group Housing Scheme.

The revelation and discussion on Karki’s assests comes at a time when the waves of turbulence and dissidence have gripped the SDF. The dissidents in the party have asserted to have embarked on analyzing on who earned how much during the party’s 16 years in power. They have started raising eyebrows to ascertain how meager politicians became millionaires overnight after being close confidants of Chamling.