Sikkim enters final lap of election campaign... SKM SHOWCASES STRENGTH

RAJEEV RAVIDAS, TT, , 08 Apr 2019, Gangtok: The Sikkim Krantikari Morcha on Sunday organised a show of strength at its last election campaign meeting at Jorethang in South Sikkim with a clarion call to ring in the change by ousting the Sikkim Democratic Front from power in the April 11 elections 

An estimated 20,000 people turned up at the meeting in Jorethang, about 85km from here, which is considered to be the bellwether in Sikkim's electoral politics not because of the profile of the voters but because of its geographical location which allows easy accessibility for people of three out of the state's four districts 

It is precisely because of this reason that the SDF, too, is slated to hold its last election meeting in Jorethang on April 9, which is the last day of electioneering in the state. South Sikkim, where Jorethang is located, and West Sikkim have 16 out of the 32 Assembly seats between them, and in the last election, the SDF had swept all 16 of them 

Addressing his exuberant party supporters, SKM president P. S. Golay said the time had come to end the 25-yearold rule of the SDF under chief minister Pawan Chamling. "We are in the cusp of bringing about a change in government in Sikkim," he declared to rapturous ovation from the people 

Golay alleged that Chamling has gone into depression because he has seen the writing on the wall. "The present chief minister has gone into depression, and it will be is very difficult for him to come out of it now… The Sikkimese people must remain vigilant because Pawan Chamling is losing his mind knowing that the chair is slipping away from him," he said 

The SKM president claimed that the party's victory was certain this time, but cautioned his supporters from being over confident. "We have three days left to save Sikkim and the Sikkimese public, but during these three days you shouldn't be over confident. You must work harder to ensure our victory," he exhorted 

The SKM had won 10 seats in the last election, but seven of their MLAs had later defected to the SDF. Analysts said this time, too, the fight will essentially be between the two parties with Bhaichung Bhutia's Hamro Sikkim Party (HSP) a distant third 

However, unlike last time, Golay himself is not contesting the election ostensibly to focus on party work, but actually because he is barred from contesting an election due to his conviction in a corruption case "I am not standing before you all to become a chief minister. I am standing here to free you from this dictatorial government. If we all stand united, we can bring an end to this dictatorial regime this time," he asserted.