Northeast Desk, 19th February: Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang has accused former footballer and politician Bhaichung Bhutia of being behind the creation of a fake illegal voter list. Tamang emphasized that his government had no involvement in the alleged fabrication and reiterated that genuine citizens of Sikkim, above the age of 18, possess the exclusive right to vote.
Tamang launched a scathing critique of Bhutia’s electoral track record, questioning the consistency and viability of Bhutia’s political aspirations. He highlighted a series of defeats across different constituencies, from failed attempts in the 2019 general elections to a recent setback in a bye-election held in Gangtok.
Despite acknowledging Bhutia’s contributions to sports infrastructure, including the completion of the ‘Bhaichung Stadium,’ Tamang expressed disappointment over Bhutia’s opposition to initiatives such as the Sikkim Premier League aimed at nurturing young football talent in the region.
Tamang also pointed out Bhutia’s past criticisms of the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) and its leader, Pawan Chamling, hinting at a lack of ideological steadfastness in Bhutia’s political endeavors.
In addition to addressing the voter list controversy, Tamang announced plans to create 20,000 job posts under the ambitious ‘One Family, One Job’ scheme. He emphasized the need for job creation and economic empowerment, assuring that vacant positions across various government departments would be identified and regularized.
Tamang affirmed the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha’s (SKM) preparedness for upcoming elections, stating that the party was equipped to face electoral challenges, even if they were to arise at short notice.
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