Bandh a flop show: Golay. Moral victory: SDF

SUJAL PRADHAN, EOI, GANGTOK, FEBRUARY 4, 2023:  Chief Minister of Sikkim Prem Singh Tamang on Saturday called the two-day bandh call by the Sikkim Democratic Front “a flop show” as no impact of the call was seen, but the SDF said it was a symbolic victory. 

The Chief Minister while addressing the 11th foundation day of the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha said: "Till date we have not stopped anyone from celebrating their foundation day but SDF tried to do that. So now we will also show them what we can do. Many karykartas told me to take action against the opposition but didn't act but now it's high time I should act like a party president rather than the CM,” he said.

As planned, SKM celebrated its foundation day in each constituency. The Chief Minister himself attended the main state level event at Namchi.

SDF leader Prem Das Rai said former Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling will be attending the upcoming Assembly session on February 9. 

"Our President will take part in the Assembly as a legislator and try to bring the voices of the people to the Assembly, provided he is given that opportunity. We have seen in the past either he is shouted down or not given an opportunity to speak, or all kinds of allegations are made. It is totally choreographed. I would request the new Speaker of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly to ensure that all legislators begiven an equal chance to present their views."

Speaking on the incident of stone pelting by SKM supporters on the SDF party headquarters on Saturday, Rai said: "The miscreants who were motivated were shouting slogans against our former Chief Minister who was in his residence next to the SDF party office. 

At least 150 of them were there and they started pelting stones around 11:20 am. The law and order situation in the State is troubled. I appeal to the citizens to not take law into their own hands. Let us not damage property. We may have our differences but let us try and be civil about it, debate it".