Gangtok: The Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) party, led by Chief Minister Prem Singh Golay, is set to secure a second term in government with a commanding victory in 31 of the 32 assembly constituencies. This outcome is expected even before the final results are officially declared on counting day on Sunday.
CM Golay, who is contesting from both the Soreng Chakung and Rhenock constituencies, has already won in Rhenock with over 10,094 votes. Out of the 15,478 valid votes, former Minister Somnath Poudyal of the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) could secure only 3,050 votes, while the remaining four candidates collectively garnered just 2,334 votes.
Following the near-certain victory, CM Golay marched to Paljor Stadium in Gangtok, where SKM supporters were gathered. Speaking to the media, Golay said, “It’s not official that we have won, but it is confirmed that we have won in 31 of the 32 assembly seats. I would like to thank the Sikkimese people and party workers. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood affecting Sikkim, our government has worked efficiently over the last five years, hence we have won this election.”
Regarding the possible outcome of the general elections at the national level, Golay expressed confidence that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would form the government, predicting a victory with 400 seats.
On the defeat of Pawan Chamling’s SDF party, Golay commented, “Pawan Chamling suffered defeat in the 2019 elections. But being a democracy, he contested again with his party. Our victory is the answer; the work they failed to do in 25 years of governance, we have done in five years. Hence, he lost.”
The SDF managed to secure only one seat from the Shyari constituency, where Tenzing Lamtha, who defected to the SDF before the election, won after the SKM denied him a ticket in favor of incumbent legislator Kunga Nima Lepcha.
Golay assured that the government would be in place once the official results are declared later in the day. He urged party workers to maintain peace in the state following the victory, with Sikkim Police instructed to keep vigil against post-poll violence. “This has been the most peaceful election, and the voting percentage is also at an all-time high at 83.5 percent,” Golay noted.
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
Golay also expressed confidence in SKM winning the lone Lok Sabha MP seat on June 4. SKM’s incumbent MP Indra Hang Subba is contesting against former two-time MP Prem Das Rai of the SDF and Citizen Action Party’s Bharat Basnet, who is popular among the people. There are 14 candidates in the fray for the coveted Lok Sabha MP seat. “There is no doubt or fear now that we won’t win the Lok Sabha MP election,” said Golay.
Claiming to have fulfilled all the electoral promises from 2019, Golay shared, “The electoral promises of 2024 for Sunawlo Sikkim and Samriddha Sikkim will also be fulfilled in the next five years. We have our blueprint ready for the next five years. All the new government appointees before elections and the regularisation of government employees have been done before elections.”
Also Read | Vote counting for Arunachal, Sikkim elections underway