BJP announces candidates for Sikkim Assembly elections and Lone Lok Sabha seats

Of the 14 candidates contesting the assembly elections, the BJP has retained two sitting MLAs. (representative)

Gangtok:

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday announced the list of 14 candidates who will contest for the 32 seats in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly.

Apart from its parliamentary candidates, the BJP also revealed its choice for Sikkim’s lone Lok Sabha seat. The party has fielded Dinesh Chandra Nepal, a former bureaucrat in the Sikkim government, as the party candidate for the seat.

Of the 14 candidates in the 2024 assembly elections, the BJP has retained two sitting members.

Sikkim People’s Party chief Dr Thapa, the sitting MP from Upper Burtuk constituency, defected from the Sikkim Democratic Front party and got votes from his home constituency.

Similarly, MLA Narendra Kumar Subba, who also joined the BJP in 2019 after Mr. Thapa, retained his Maneybong Dentam constituency.

The candidate statement comes after the BJP called off its alliance with the ruling Sikkim Janata Party on March 23. The decision was taken by Sikkim BJP chief DR Thapa after a meeting with the party leadership in New Delhi. Four sitting MPs resigned from the BJP on Sunday.

Sonam Tshering Venchungpa from Martam Rumtek constituency and three defectors from the Sikkim Democratic Front party – Raj Kumari Thapa (Yangang-Rangang), Tashi Thendup Bhutia (Barfung) and Pintso Namgyal Lepcha (Dzongu) – also resigned from the Sikkim Democratic Front party Front party positions. Bharatiya Janata Party.

Among other prominent candidates announced, former legislator Tseten Tashi Bhutia secured the coveted Sangha seat, a non-territorial constituency for religious spread in the state.

Mr. Bhutia has been one of the biggest advocates for the protection of Sikkim’s old laws under Article 371F of the Indian Constitution. Tsetang Tashi is also the convener of the Sikkim Bhutia Lecha Supreme Committee (SIBLAC).

Other PPP candidates include Kinjong Sherap Bhutia from Yuksam Tashiding constituency, Sanchaman Limboo from Yangthang, Sancho Lepcha from Rinchenpong, Phurba Dorjee Sherpa from Daramdin, Purna Singh Subba from Soreng Chakung, Pahalman Kami from Zoom Salghari, Tashi Dadul Bhutia from Barfung, Arjun Rai comes from Poklok Kamrang, Sangey Gyatso Bhutia from Gnathang Machong, Udai Gurung from Arithang and Ugen Nedup Bhutia from Kabi Lungchok constituency.

The Sikkim Lok Sabha elections are scheduled to be held in phases on April 19, 2024. Counting will be completed on June 4.

In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Prem Das Rai of the Sikkim Democratic Front won. Indra Hang Subba of the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) won Sikkim’s only Lok Sabha seat in 2019.

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