Nar Bahadur Bhandari

Nar Bahadur Bhandari
2nd Chief Minister of Sikkim
1979-84, 1985-94

Nar Bahadur Bhandari was born on 5th October 1940 at village called Malbasey, Soreng Sub-Division, West Sikkim. He was the son of late Balaram Bhandari and Late Chandramaya Bhandari.

Early Days

Mr. Bhandari had his early education at Soreng and Namchi and later graduated from the Government Collage of Darjeeling. As a student he as a very youthful and took keen interest in studies and social welfare.

Career

Mr. Nar Bahadur Bhandari started his career as a school teacher in Soreng and later served in various school such as Chakung School, Rongli Junior High School, Namchi Senior Secondary School, and finally at West Point School of Gangtok. When pro-democracy revolution begin in 1974, he resigned as school teacher and joined Sikkim Politics to form a new party called Independent Front along with like minded associates. He was General Secretary of the party at that time. His party unsuccessfully contested the first general elections held on the basis of adult franchise for the first time in Sikkim in 1974. He was arrested under Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) during leadership of Kazi Lhendup Dorjee's Government and was sent to Behrampur Jail from 1976 to 1977.

After release from the Jail, he formed another party called Sikkim Janda Parishad in October, 1977. Under his leadership, the party took part in the general election in 1979 and won 16 seats with the support of Independent Sangha MLA, Rev. Lachen Gomchen Rimpoche and formed his first Government. Unfortunately, his first Government was dismissed allegedly on the ground of corruption charges, though he had majority support in the Assembly.

Later he formed Sikkim Sangram Parishad, and successfully won the Lok Sabha elections in December in 1985. In March, 1985, his party fought the Assembly Elections under his leadership and won all thirty seats out of thirty two. He became Chief Minister of Sikkim for the second time. He Resigned his seat in the Lok Shaba, which later went to his wife Mrs. Dil Kumari Bhandari Uncontested. His party returned to power again in 1989 with a clean sweep, until he lost a vote of confidence in May 1994 in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly and resigned from the government.

After the career ended as Chief Minister of Sikkim, he joined Congress Party, and constantly trying to return to the power once again.

Interests and Activities

He is deeply interested in reading and writing, he has number of publications to his credit including Hamro Pukar, Aaj Ko Sikkim, literary journal Archana. He also loved sports, particularly football, volleyball and badminton.