B.B.Gurung

B.B. Gurung
3rd Chief Minister of Sikkim
May 11, 1984 - May 24, 1984

B.B Gurung was born on 11th October 1929 at Chakung, West Sikkim. He graduated from Calcutta University in humanities and Arts. He served as school teacher at Turnbull School of Darjeeling, and later served in Rangpo High School between 1951 and 1955. After leaving teaching profession Gurung joined journalism and worked as Staff Reporter to the Calcutta based Amrita Bazar Patrika. He was also associated with literature and edited a Nepali Magazine Kanchenjunga. He also edited a book titled Sikkim Past and Present. He is a happily married and has three sons and a daughter.

Political Career

Gurung took active part in Sikkim Politics, because of his political inclination he joined Sikkim Rajya Congress under leadership of Kashi Raj Pradhan and became General Secretary of the Party, he was in his 20s at the time. He later joined Sikkim Rastrya Party under leadership of Kazi Lhendup Dorjee and elected Councilor for the first time in Chakung Constituency. As a result he as appointed Executive Councilor by the Chogyal to look after Education, Forest and Transport Departments.

Political upheaval which sparked off after the fifth general election, caused complete breakdown of law and order of Sikkim in 1972. Under the leadership of Kazi Lhendup Dorjee, Gurung joined Sikkim National Congress to sign historic tripartite agreement in 1973 by Chogyal, the leaders of political parties and Goverment of India. The agreement was to frame a constitution that will gurantee fundamental rights of people, rule of law, independence of judiciary, legislature and executive powers to elected representatives and adult franchise based on "One Man One Vote".

As a responsible signatories along with L.D Kazi, K.C Pradhan and others to the agreement. B.B Gurung stood for the cause of introducing a clear cut parity in the Sikkim Assembly by which a new parity formula got evolved to reserve 15 seats of Bhutia and Lepcha, 15 for Nepalese of Sikkim origin. 1 for Sangha and 1 for Scheduled Castes of Nepalese. After the agreement of 1973 agreement, Gurung was elected among 31 members of Sikkim Natioinal Congress, later he served as Speaker of Sikkim Assembly.

Gurung took an active part in politics between 1973 an 1975 and played an important role in making today's Sikkim as 22nd State of India Union. In 1979 Gurung was elected from two constituencies, Chakung and Jorthang and served as M.L.A of Sikkim Congress under leadership of R.C Poudyal.

As a Chief Minister

11th May 1984 was the day, B.B. Gurung was appointed as 3rd Chief Minister of Sikkim by the Constitution of India, when Governor of Sikkim Homi. J.H. Taleyarkhan dismissed N.B Bhandari as Chief Minister under article 164 (1), when Bhandari ceased to command the pleasure of the Governor. Gurung's 14 days Ministry consisted of 9 cabinet members. During the short period of time Gurung Investigated alleged charges of corruption against N.B Bhandari.