The political is personal.

Earlier, during the SDF era, allegations about SPSC posts being “sold” suggested bribery. Money going into the pockets of SPSC members or office bearers. If that happened, it was still a form of corruption, but at least it followed the logic of personal profit.

What’s happening now is different. Most of the backdoor entries after 2022 aren’t about bribes; they’re about rewarding the CM’s people. He’s not taking money for these favours. If anything, it looks like he’s handing out posts instead of handing out cash. When the CM’s own family is swimming in crores, giving cash would be far simpler. But giving jobs, using SPSC as the vehicle, creates lifelong loyalty. “Chora chori lai kaam diyo. Officer banayo.” And just like that, you produce supporters who will chant the leader’s name till their last breath.

But for every one of these gifted seats, there’s a child somewhere whose dreams get crushed. A child who actually believed in the CM, studied honestly and trusted the system. That’s why the political becomes personal.

In Sikkim, policies don't shape our lives, politics does. And when politics starts deciding who gets a fair shot and who gets sacrificed, people have no choice but to push back. The only realistic way to fight this is to seek strength from the opposition. They can say out loud what ordinary people are too scared to. If SDF, CAP and BJP actually united on this issue, and if aspirants and concerned citizens joined hands, we could build enough pressure to overhaul the recruitment system legally and politically. If we manage that even once, it becomes much harder to tamper with in the future. That alone would be a massive win for our children.

There’s a story I know from 2020, right after SKM came to power. A long-time party supporter felt betrayed because his son hadn’t been given any job. He would get drunk and abuse the CM in close circles. Word reached the CM, who called him over and trying to placate him literally said, “Aee, anta… hamro chora le ke kaam garnu iccha garcha? Undersecretary garne?” When there wasn’t a US vacancy, they made the son an inspector somewhere. Just like that.

This is the mindset this CM has. That the entire recruitment system exists to be bent at will. Back then, he was insecure. After the landslide victory in 2024 and the pedestal people have placed him on, we’ve practically created a monster. So yes, the political is personal.

The seats weren’t “sold” for money. They were distributed to MLAs, ministers, personal workers, loyalists, financiers to build an army of NPCs who will never question him. Our police and judges are sold. The executive and judiciary work only for the CM, not for general public. The only way we can make any difference is by uniting on this front and seeking central help.