Sikkim: Ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) returns back to power for second consecutive term

Guwahati: Ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) is returned back to power for the second consecutive term in Sikkim.

SKM has won 31 out of 32 seats. The Opposition Sikkim Democratic Front won just one seat.

Incumbent Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang told the media, "I thank the people of Sikkim and our party workers. We worked for the people with all our heart. That's why we have won. We accomplished in five years what could not be done in the last 25 years. "

SDF leader Pawan Chamling, who has been the longest-serving Chief Minister of the country, has lost from both seats he contested. In 2019, the SKM had ended the 25-year rule of the SDF in Sikkim by winning 17 seats against 15 of Pawan Chamling's party.

Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, also known as P.S. Golay emerged as a key figure in this victory, winning both the Rhenock and Soreng Chakung constituencies.

Chamling suffered a significant blow by losing both the seats he contested—Poklok Kamrang and Namcheybong. The SDF managed to win only a single seat, Lower Syari, which was claimed by Tenzing Lamtha. Lamtha had defected from the ruling SKM to the SDF just days before the candidate declaration.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) failed to open its account. The state president of the BJP, D.R. Thapa was unable to retain his seat in Upper Burtuk, suffering a defeat at the hands of Kala Rai from the SKM, who won with 6,323 votes.

The newly formed Citizen Action Party (CAP), led by Ganesh Rai, also did not fare well in the elections. The CAP failed to win any seats. Ganesh Rai, the party leader, lost in both the Melli and Chujachen constituencies.

Bhaichung Bhutia, the former captain of the Indian football team, tasted defeat in electoral politics yet another time. He lost to Rikshal Dorjee Bhutia of the ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha by a margin of 4,346 votes in the Barfung seat. Bhutia contested as candidate of Sikkim Democratic Front.

Prime minister Narendra Modi stated in X, “ Congratulations to SKM and CM @PSTamangGolay for their victory in the Sikkim Assembly Elections 2024. I look forward to working with the State Government to further the progress of Sikkim in the coming times.”