Golay CM aspirant claim a lie: Chamling

RAJEEV RAVIDAS, TT, 26 Mar 2019, Namchi (South Sikkim): Chief minister Pawan Chamling on Monday accused the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha of resorting to lie by insisting that its president P. S. Golay would be the chief minister, should the party come to power in the state.

The Sikkim Democratic Front president pointed out the fact that his principal rival couldn't contest election at any level because of his conviction in a corruption case.

Speaking to reporters after filing his nomination papers for two Assembly constituencies for the April 11 election here, Chamling said Golay couldn't contest any election till August 10, 2024 when he would complete six years from the day when he was released from prison. "A person who cannot con- test an election can not only become a chief minister, but he can't even become a panchayat (member). This is a fact known to all. Despite knowing the fact, the manner in which the SKM has declared its chief ministerial candidate is nothing but an attempt to fool the people by resorting to lie." Golay is not contesting this election, but his party insists he will be its chief ministerial candidate.

Chamling is seeking to win the Namchi-Singithang seat for the eight consecutive time. He is also contesting from the neighbouring Poklok-Kamrang seat. "This time, too, the people of Namchi-Singithang will make me their MLA," he claimed.

His rival, the SKM's Ganesh Rai, who also filed his papers on Monday, said he was confident of defeating Chamling, who is the country's longest serving chief minister. "The people of the constituency want a local candidate to represent them," he said in an obvious reference to the fact that Chamling hails from Yangang, which is a different Assembly constituency.