Golay quits but back again - SKM chief returns after uproar at party meeting

TT, Gangtok, May 29: Prem Kumar Golay, who founded Sikkim Krantikari Morcha, resigned from the post of party chief this morning but was re-instated in the evening.

What happened between 9.30am - when Golay put in his papers - and 5pm, when party workers and leaders raised their hands to bring him back, was described by a former SKM leader as "undemocratic".

The SKM was formed in 2013 after Golay left the Sikkim Democratic Front complaining of nepotism.

Yesterday, five leaders of the SKM resigned making similar charges against Golay and demanded his resignation.

They said Golay had done little for the party after the SKM won 10 of 32 seats in state elections in 2014.

Today around 9.30am, Golay, 46, submitted his resignation to the office party secretary Kamal Neopaney.

He then headed for a party meeting at Chokasum hall in Gangtok, where around 500 SKM supporters and leaders of the party's central executive committee were present.

Golay announced there that he had quit the president's chair but would continue as an ordinary member.

"I decided to resign from the post of president because I received the suggestion in writing a couple of days back from the section of party workers who thought that I have not been active in the party work," Golay said, referring to the letter the five party leaders who quit had sent him a few days back.

They said Golay had not replied to the letter.

After the Assembly elections, Golay had been missing from party forums from June 2014 to February this year. He later said he had been busy with party work and had to go to Delhi.

Today, he said about the leaders' letter: "I respect their decision.... I will remain a party member. Our party's vision of change in Sikkim should never die."

According to several leaders present at the meeting - the press was not allowed to enter - party workers started shouting they wanted Golay to stay.

"The workers in the hall refused to accept the resignation of Golay. some of the women party workers even rose from their seats and protested," said senior party leader Kala Rai, who was present at the workers' meeting.

Five SKM MLAs were present at the meeting.

Kunga Nima Lepcha, the party's spokesperson, said: "Ten central executive committee members were also present. Golay said if anyone was interested in the post of president, he could come in front. Nobody came. Around 5pm, it was unanimously decided to elect him as president. All the people raised their hands in Golay's support."

Party spokesperson M.N. Dahal, who had resigned yesterday, said: "What unfolded today shows that the party lacks democratic values. The party could have accepted the resignation of Golay and again announced the re-election for the post of president. The SKM believes in hero-worship. These reasons compelled me to resign from the party."