Gangtok: The Citizen Action Party Sikkim has demanded clarification from the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) and the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) regarding their involvement with electoral bonds. The two parties, being the only regional parties among the northeastern States, have been reported to have received significant sums, with SKM accounting for Rs 36.05 crore and SDF for Rs 5.5 crore.
In a press conference held on Saturday, just hours before the declaration of the election schedule, the Citizen Action Party stated, “It is evident that the electoral bonds received by SDF and SKM are unconstitutional, especially after the Supreme Court of India declared them as such. These bonds were not introduced for the benefit of the people, but rather for corruptive purposes. Therefore, both Chief Minister Prem Singh Golay and SDF leader Pawan Kumar Chamling must provide clarification on why their parties were involved in electoral bonds, the extent of their contributions, or the amount received.”
The Citizen Action Party particularly highlighted transactions worth Rs 18 crore received by the SKM party shortly after the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood in October, with two transactions occurring in two days around October 17. They also pointed out other electoral bonds, including Rs 2 crore in October 2022, Rs 8 crore in July 2023, and Rs 3 crore as recent as January 2024.
Similarly, the Citizen Action Party criticised the SDF party, mocking their “Sikkim Bachau Abhiyaan” (Save Sikkim Campaign), stating, “A party that was advocating for the Save Sikkim Campaign is accepting funds from outside the state, which is indicative of corruptive practices. Even the leader of the SDF must provide clarification. It is public knowledge that the two major parties in the state are engaged in unconstitutional transactions of the state’s budget.”
The Citizen Action Party also brought attention to the involvement of Future Gaming Hotel Services, which had electoral bonds worth Rs 13,000 crore.
CAP spokesperson Albert Gurung stated, “Future Gaming and Hotel Services have been directly involved in Sikkim lotteries under contract. Between 2008 and 2010, the state government incurred a loss of Rs 4500 crores due to Future Gaming and Hotel Services. Even during the recent GLOF in October, the company contributed Rs 1 crore to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, indicating ongoing direct involvement with the State government.”
CAP cited the presence of Future Gaming and Hotel Services as the reason why only two Sikkim parties are involved in the electoral bonds controversy among the North Eastern States.
However, CAP refrained from mentioning the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) involvement, which amounted to Rs 6,000 crore in electoral bonds. CAP stated, “Given BJP’s status as the largest national party in the country, its involvement in electoral bonds is not surprising. They are mobilising funds for elections across BJP-ruled states. Among the four prominent parties in the Sikkim elections this year, three parties—SKM, SDF, and BJP—are involved in electoral bonds. CAP stands apart as the only party free from such bonds. Our funding strictly relies on crowd funding.”
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