Sikkim Democratic Front to go it alone in 2014 polls

SNS, Gangtok, 18 November 2013: The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front has decided to fight the 2014 Lok Sabha polls on its own. There would be no pre-poll alliance with either of the two national parties ~ the Congress and BJP, the party leaders said.

Sikkim has a single seat for the Lok Sabha. The party which has been ruling Sikkim for four consecutive terms since 1994 has exuded confidence that it would be returned for the fifth term in the 2014 assembly elections. The ruling party leaders alleged that the Opposition leader, P S Golay has links with the Nepal-based fundamentalists, intent on creating bad blood within the Sikkimese society.

SDF spokesperson and sitting Lok Sabha member, Mr PD Rai said SDF will go it alone in the Lok Sabha polls. “We are keeping a close watch on the moving drift of the national politics. Our party will take a call at an appropriate time. As of now, I can only say we will go alone as SDF in the elections,” said Mr Rai.

SDF leaders also slammed the Opposition, Sikkim Krantikari Morcha being led by Mr Chamling’s bête noir, PS Golay for misleading the people with false claims and promises before the elections. They also alleged that Mr Golay has links with some Nepal-based fundamentalists, working to the detriment of the inter-ethnic amity of the state.

Former MP and Mr Chamling's press advisor, Mr Bhim Dahal thrashed SKM-raised graft charges against the SDF government. “This is gibberish,” he said.