The correct answer is: a) The interests of the Bhutia-Lepcha communities.
The Sikkim National Party (SNP) was a political party in Sikkim, India. It was founded in 1947 by Kazi Lhendup Dorji. The SNP advocated for the interests of the Bhutia-Lepcha communities, who were the indigenous people of Sikkim. The party opposed the merger of Sikkim with India and campaigned for Sikkim’s independence. The SNP was the largest party in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly from 1974 to 1979. In 1975, the SNP merged with the Sikkim Janata Parishad to form the Sikkim Democratic Front.
Option b) is incorrect because the SNP did not advocate for close ties with Nepal. The SNP was a pro-independence party and opposed any form of union with Nepal.
Option c) is incorrect because the SNP did not advocate for the restoration of the monarchy. The SNP was a secular party and opposed the monarchy as a relic of the past.
Option d) is incorrect because the SNP did not advocate for a socialist economic system. The SNP was a capitalist party and supported a free market economy.