Gangtok, Feb. 5: Three political parties and two political organisations yesterday joined hands and formed the Sikkim United Democratic Alliance to fight for the restoration of political and democratic rights of the Sikkimese.

The alliance comprises the Sikkim unit of the BJP, the Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee (SPCC) and the Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad, Organisation of Sikkimese Unity (OSU) and the Nepali Bhutia Lepcha (NEBULA) National Liberation Front.

K. C. Pradhan, president of the Sikkim BJP, vice president of the SPCC, I. S. Limbu and A.D. Subba, president of Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad also held a meeting and passed several resolutions aimed at protecting the political rights.

Subba, journalist turned politician and OSU chief Jigme N. Kazi, and P. T. Lucksom of NEBULA NAtiona Liberation Front were elected as members of an ad-hoc committee at the meet. Eradicating corruption and ensuring rapid economic development is also high on the agenda, members of the newly formed alliance said.

Kazi told The Telegraph that the Nar Bahdur Bhandari-led Sikkim Sangram Parishad and the Sikkim unit of the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) are expected to join the alliance.

“We will work towards national unity and integration and safeguard national security,”a release issued by SUDA stated.

While deciding to demand the restoration of the political and democratic rights of the Sikkimese people, they have also said that they will work to maintain peace, unity and communal harmony.

“The SUDA has resolved to strengthen the democratic process to secure freedom of expression and movement, justice and the rule of law.