Komal Chamling, the daughter of former Sikkim chief minister Pawan Chamling, emerged from the shadows of her father and made her first public appearance on Tuesday, signalling her entry into active politics.

Komal held her first press conference in Gangtok in her capacity as the in-charge of the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF)’s students’ cell. Hitherto, she had been working for the party behind the scenes.

The 32-year-old Komal became actively involved in the SDF, albeit in private, following the defeat of her father in the last Assembly poll in 2019.

At the press meet, Komal said politics was not just about winning an election, but it involved upholding the rights of the people and delivering governance to them.

Komal is a graduate from Boston University and has a masters degree in international education policy from Harvard University.