The correct answer is: a) Guaranteeing representation for indigenous communities.
The Bhutia-Lepcha (BL) seats in the Sikkim Assembly are a unique provision aimed at guaranteeing representation for indigenous communities. The BL seats were created in 1975, after Sikkim became a state of India. The seats are reserved for members of the Bhutia and Lepcha communities, who are the indigenous people of Sikkim. The BL seats are a way to ensure that these communities have a voice in the government of Sikkim.
The other options are incorrect because:
- Option b) Promoting religious harmony is not the main purpose of the BL seats. The BL seats are not designed to promote religious harmony, but to guarantee representation for indigenous communities.
- Option c) Balancing regional interests is not the main purpose of the BL seats. The BL seats are not designed to balance regional interests, but to guarantee representation for indigenous communities.
- Option d) Preventing outsider domination is not the main purpose of the BL seats. The BL seats are not designed to prevent outsider domination, but to guarantee representation for indigenous communities.