Gangtok: In a significant turn of events ahead of the upcoming by-election for the 07-Soreng-Chakung Assembly constituency, the nomination of Citizen Action Party (CAP) candidate Pobin Hang Subba has been cancelled.
This unexpected decision dramatically alters the electoral landscape, leaving Aditya Golay of the ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) with a more advantageous position against only one remaining opponent, Prem Bahadur Bhandari from the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF).
Scheduled for November 13, the by-election will now see a streamlined competition primarily between the SKM and SDF candidates. The recent disqualification of Pobin Hang Subba follows closely on the heels of another setback for the CAP, as their candidate Mahesh Rai also faced cancellation of his nomination, compounding the challenges for the party.
The scrutiny process that led to these disqualifications revealed technical issues with the nomination documents. Specifically, Rai’s disqualification was attributed to a mismatch in signatures, including discrepancies involving his proposer’s signature. The ramifications of these disqualifications have raised concerns among party supporters, as they impact the overall dynamics of the race.
Initial reports concerning the official notification of Rai’s disqualification, expected at 3 p.m., have already circulated widely, generating discussions among political circles. Reflecting on the setback, Mahesh Rai expressed his disappointment, stating, “My candidature has been rejected temporarily, but we will appeal to higher authorities.” His determination to contest the decision underscores the competitive nature of the upcoming elections.
As the election date approaches, the SKM remains optimistic about its prospects, bolstered by the reduced competition. The evolving political scenario sets the stage for a crucial showdown in the Soreng-Chakung constituency, with both the SKM and SDF gearing up for a decisive campaign leading up to November 13.