Gangtok: Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) party has completed its party candidates list, releasing the list of 6 candidates on Monday night. The party also shuffled its declared candidates list replacing two candidates, leading to no women candidate being floated by SDF.
The six candidates declared by SDF include the SKM party’s ticket contender Tenzing Norbu Lamtha from the Shyari constituency.
Lamtha, a former SDF party cadre was denied a ticket in 2019 by SDF, leading to him joining the SKM. In a full circle, Lamtha was once again denied a ticket by SKM for the 2024 elections, in favour of incumbent legislator Kunga Nima Lepcha on Monday.
By Monday evening, Lamtha and his supporters met with SDF party supremo Pawan Chamling, tendered his resignation with SKM, and was selected as an SDF candidate from Shayari. SDF also shuffled its declared candidates from the Rinchenpong and Rhenock constituencies.
Earlier on Monday, SDF had declared Sonam Palden Bhutia from the Rinchenpong (Bhutia-Lepcha) constituency. But by Monday evening, SDF replaced him with Norden Bhutia. Both the candidates were first-timers.
In another shuffle of candidates, Rhenock constituency where Chief Minister Prem Singh Golay has been declared as SKM candidate. SDF replaced first-timer Sangita Bhandari, the only woman candidate declared by SDF, with former legislator Somnath Poudyal. Poudyal comes from a reputed political family in Sikkim and has formerly served as a Minister under Chamling’s regime.
Pawan Kumar Chamling has now announced himself as an SDF candidate from two constituencies, Poklok Kamrang in Namchi district and Namcheybong in Pakyong District. Chamling relinquished his home constituency Namchi Singhithang for the neighbouring Poklok Kamrang constituency.
He will pit against his long-time associate Bhoj Raj Rai, who has previously served as a legislator with Chamling in SDF. Bhoj Raj has been made a candidate by SKM. In Namcheybong, Chamling will be contesting against SKM’s Raju Basnet, the former sports secretary who recently retired to join politics with the ruling Front.
Chamling is seen to edge over first-timer Basnet, with Namcheybong dominantly being a Rai community stronghold.
Chamling belongs to the Rai community. Other candidates include TR Khulal, a first-timer, from Maneybong Dentam. He is set to face BJP’s sitting legislator Narendra Kumar Subba, a former 2-time legislator from the constituency.
NK Subba was formerly a Minister and legislator with SDF before joining the BJP in 2019. Tika Nepal has been announced as a candidate from Geyzing Bernyak, he will have a tough task against SKM’s sitting legislator Lok Nath Sharma. Suman Pradhan has been declared as the SDF candidate for Namthang Rateypani, where SDF will be facing SKM legislator Sanjeet Kharel as their candidate.
Dear Reader,
Every day, our team at EastMojo travels through rain, rough roads, and remote hills to bring you stories that matter – stories from your town, your people, your Northeast.
We do this because we believe in truthful, independent journalism. No big corporate backing, no government pressure – just honest reporting by local journalists who live and breathe the same air you do.
But to keep doing this work, we need you. Your small contribution helps us pay our reporters fairly, reach places others ignore, and keep asking the tough questions.
If you believe the Northeast deserves its own fearless voice, stand with us.
Support independent journalism. Be a Member.
Thank you,
Karma Paljor
Editor-in-Chief, eastmojo.com
Finally, the West Pendam schedule caste constituency will see the representation of Anup Thatal. Thatal has unsuccessfully contested as an SDF candidate in the past from the constituency. He faces SKM legislator Lal Bahadur Das in the constituency.
SDF has also completed their 33 candidates inclusive of Lok Sabha MP candidate. They completed their party candidates on the same day as the ruling SKM party, who declared their 33 candidates in one go on Monday.
Also Read | Sikkim elections: SDF declares 26 candidates, including 10 ex-MLAs