Sikkim is the only state to have elected regional parties to power in all the assembly polls since 1979, and political leaders attribute it to the "strong" sentiment of people, who are "wary" of national parties.
The regional parties have been dominant in Sikkim ever since it merged with India in 1975 because of the "trust" reposed in them by the indigenous people, for protecting their aspirations and interests, they said.
Sikkim National People's Party (SNPP) president Delay Barfungpa said, "We can't trust national parties to safeguard Article 371(F), which protects the special rights of the Sikkimese people."
Echoing similar views, spokesperson of the ruling SDF K T Gyaltsen said, "Regional parties, particularly the SDF, have been ruling Sikkim for a long time, as they have aligned their ideology and governance with the best interests of the Sikkimese people."