Northeast Desk, 19th July: The Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) party has cemented its dominance in the state legislature, securing 30 seats and leaving no formal opposition in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly. The party’s majority was further bolstered by the defection of Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) legislator Tenzin Norbu Lamtha to SKM.
With the political landscape altered, attention now turns to the upcoming by-elections in Soreng-Chakung and Namchi. The seats were vacated by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang and former Deputy Chief Minister Krishna Kumari Rai (Golay), respectively. Although the Election Commission has yet to announce the by-poll dates, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) faces an uphill battle despite its past success in by-elections.
The BJP’s state President, DR Thapa, is currently in Delhi, fueling speculation about the party’s strategy to establish an opposition presence. However, Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang’s strengthened position, with 30 MLAs compared to 17 in 2019, has significantly shifted the dynamics.
These by-elections will be a crucial test of opposition unity and a gauge of the stability and effectiveness of the SKM-led government under Golay’s leadership. As the political landscape continues to evolve, Sikkim waits with bated breath for the next chapter in its political saga.
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