Sikkim became a part of India in 1975. Post-Independence Sikkim remained an independent monarchy. In 1975, its subjects voted by plebiscite to become a state of India. In 1979 assembly election saw Nar Bahadur Bhandari elected Chief Minister of Sikkim. Initially, China objected Sikkim’s merger with India. In 2003, Indian sovereignty over Sikkim was finally recognised by China.