Sikkim Bypoll: Uncontested Victory for SKM as SDF Candidates Withdraw

KalimNews, October 29, 2024, Gangtok (Sikkim) : The Sikkim Assembly is set to remain opposition-less as candidates from the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) have withdrawn their nominations for the upcoming bypolls for two Assembly seats. This decision clears the way for the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) to claim victory without contest, ensuring that it maintains a full roster of 32 MLAs in the Assembly.

The bypolls, originally scheduled for November 13 for the Soreng-Chakung and Namchi-Singhithang constituencies, were necessitated by resignations from the ruling SKM's leadership. Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, who contested from two seats in the last elections, relinquished the Soreng-Chakung seat to retain Rhenock, while his wife, Krishna Kumari Rai, stepped down from Namchi-Singhithang.

SDF Withdrawal and its Implications

Prem Bahadur Bhandari, one of the SDF candidates, cited a lack of support from the party as his reason for withdrawal, while Daniel Rai, the other candidate, expressed dissatisfaction with the party’s treatment and stated he felt unsupported in his candidacy. Rai's comments reflect a broader discontent within the SDF, which has struggled to maintain its relevance following a significant loss in the earlier Assembly elections, where the SKM won 31 out of 32 seats.

Rai stated, “I felt, as a candidate, I had no importance at all as I had neither supporters nor financial backing. The party leadership was preoccupied with external commitments.” Following his withdrawal, Rai also resigned from the SDF, citing “step-motherly treatment and dissatisfaction” with party leadership.

SKM’s Confidence Amid Controversy

With the opposition candidates out of the race, Aditya Golay, son of Chief Minister Tamang, is poised to be declared the winner in Soreng-Chakung, while Satish Chandra Rai is set to claim victory in Namchi-Singhithang. Golay expressed a desire to contest and potentially break the voting record set by his father, who secured over 10,400 votes in the last election. “I would have preferred to contest the bypolls and set a new record,” he noted.

The SKM has faced allegations from the Citizen Action Party (CAP) regarding the disqualification of their candidates, claiming that their proposers were “kidnapped” by SKM operatives. Golay dismissed these accusations, asserting, “The Election Commission is an independent body and all actions taken were based on factual grounds.”

Acknowledging the Support

Satish Chandra Rai, now set to become MLA for Namchi-Singhithang, expressed gratitude to the party and emphasized his commitment to addressing local issues, including improvements to drinking water supply and drainage systems. “After 25 years in politics, I am honored to serve the people of my constituency,” he said.

The uncontested victories reflect a significant consolidation of power for the SKM, which has swiftly adapted to the political landscape following the last elections. With all 32 seats now firmly in its grasp, the SKM is poised to push its agenda without opposition in the Assembly, raising questions about the future dynamics of Sikkim's political landscape.