Gangtok: Bharatiya Janata Party in Sikkim decided to go solo without any pre-poll alliance with any regional parties for the 2024 elections. Sikkim BJP was successful in fielding 31 candidates out of 32 assembly constituencies, with no representation in GLOF hit Lachen Mangan constituency.
BJP also welcomed a few Sikkim Krantikari Morcha and Sikkim Democratic Front ticket contenders, denied by their respective parties.
On Monday, the SDF party’s general secretary (organization) Chewang Dadul Bhutia tendered his resignation from the SDF to join the BJP party. He was granted a BJP ticket from Martam Rumtek constituency.
Similarly, after being denied a ticket by SKM, two former chairpersons Pooja Sharma from Sikkim Film and Television Board and Janak Kumar Gurung from Sikkim Industrial Development and Investment Corporation quit SKM. They swiftly joined the BJP on Monday evening.
Later, Gurung was granted a BJP ticket from Namthang Rateypani while Sharma secured it from the Namcheybong constituency. SKM had fielded sitting legislator Sanjeet Kharel from Namthang Rateypani and freshly retired bureaucrat Raju Basnet from Namcheynong.
In the first phase, BJP had declared 14 constituency candidates as well as Dinesh Chandra Nepal as Lok Sabha MP candidate.
In the second list on Tuesday, BJP declared Bhim Kumar Sharma from Geyzing Bernyak but later in the evening replaced him with Bharat Kumar Sharma. Aruna Mangar was declared a candidate from Namchi Singhithang, Yogen Rai from Melli, Phurba Rinzing Sherpa from Tumin Lingee, Bhupal Baraily from West Pendam, Pempo Tshering Lepcha from Shyari, Niren Bhandari from Upper Tadong, and Pema Wangyal Rinzing from Gangtok.
In the third list on Tuesday night, BJP declared Bhupendra Giri from Temi Namphing, Gopi Das Pokhrel from Rangang Yangang, Chetan Sapkota from Singtam Khamdong, Prem Chettri Khatiwara from Rhenock, Duk Nath Nepal from Chujachen, and Penzong Lepcha from Dzongu.
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