GANGTOK: Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Golay has relinquished the Soreng Chakung seat as of Friday. Having been elected as a legislator from both Soreng Chakung and Rhenock constituencies, Golay chose to retain Rhenock.
In the recent elections, CM Golay secured the highest votes in Soreng Chakung, with 10,480 votes, winning by a margin of 7,396 votes. In Rhenock, he received 10,094 votes, with a winning margin of 7,044 votes.
According to the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, under Section 67/A, an elected legislator must relinquish one of the two constituencies within 14 days of the election results declaration.
Following these rules, Golay relinquished the Soreng Chakung seat, which will now remain vacant for by-elections.
Making the announcement on social media, Golay stated, “Tomorrow, June 15, marks the last day for this decision. Thus, with a heavy heart, I must make this crucial announcement today. I apologize to the people of the Soreng Chakung constituency as I have decided to step aside, allowing an honest and loyal party functionary to serve you as your legislator. Nonetheless, I promise to remain committed to serving as your MLA, ensuring that your constituency benefits from the service and care of two dedicated MLAs, including myself.”
As a native of the Soreng Chakung constituency, Golay further stated, “Having been born and raised in my parental home in the Soreng Chakung constituency, and my beloved mother still residing here, I am confident that the residents of this constituency will continue to receive my unwavering support and assistance, as they always have.”
Golay thanked the people of Soreng Chakung for their “intimacy, unity, duty consciousness, persistence, perseverance, dedication, and sacrifice.” He added, “Your contributions have been invaluable, and I pledge to remain forever grateful to all of you. I feel honoured to be your MLA and will always remain so in my heart and soul.”
With Golay relinquishing the Soreng Chakung seat, the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) party, which won 31 of the 32 assembly constituencies, will see their seat count drop to 29 assembly seats. Additionally, Golay’s wife, Krishna Kumari Rai, resigned from the Namchi Singhithang constituency less than 24 hours ago, citing “personal reasons and better representation from party functionaries.”
The Soreng Chakung constituency was previously held by Golay’s son, Aditya Golay, from 2019-2024. Aditya Golay seems to be the frontrunner to take up his father’s seat. However, the SKM party has not yet made an official announcement regarding their candidate for Soreng Chakung.
Namchi Singhithang, on the other hand, used to be a stronghold of former Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling. The SKM party admitted that the parliamentary committee selected Krishna Kumari Rai, knowing the constituency to be “politically sensitive.”
The SKM party has yet to declare a candidate for Namchi Singhithang, with no clear favorite in sight.
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