VIEW POINT
The bye polls to the two assembly seats are around the corner. Namchi and Soreng both poised to vote again. A repeat chunawi rum jhum at the two centers after about 6 months of the 2024 general elections.
Who is going to win this time is not even a question. The ruling front will sweep both seats comfortably. Former MLA and son of the Chief mInister, Aditya Golay is headed for a thumping win from Soreng. Cannot be any different with Satish Chandra Rai at Namchi. Considering the popularity the ruling front enjoys in view of the last results, there can be no doubt about how the two constituencies will decide this November.
The opposition had been completely routed in the general elections even though their cumulative vote share was close to 42 percent. This time since SKM is ruling with all the assembly seats under its belt, the opposition, in the bye polls is expected to score much lower share than what it did in the June results.
Also one thing about the bye election is that the two districts hosting the polls are headed by young local officers of the State cadre as District Magistrates. There is no dearth of talent and leadership in bureaucrats of the State. Sikkim for its overall protection and well being requires that the State grown officers are entrusted with vital responsibilities and they in turn play a more proactive role in matters of governance and decision making in the long run in the interest of Sikkim and the Sikkimese. To see the two young returning officers leading up front is heartwarming. My good wishes to them and their team.
Bye polls also remind me of Yangang some years back where the then sitting Chief Minister's younger brother parted ways with the ruling front and went on to win the bye election as an independent. SDF then was invincible and RN Chamling did the unthinkable. Polls are all about unpredictability and surprises. Going by the last results, Sikkim these days doesn't vote silent. No dark horses or upsets to predict this time.
SDF today sits with no elected member in the assembly. The party having dissolved all offices and fresh portfolios yet to be announced, there are resignations of leaders in good numbers being tendered from SDF each day. Whether SDF will field any candidate in the bye polls is something that interests me. Considering the past of the party, and also that Namchi Singhithang has been the SDF bastion for decades, it would be a clear indication of the end of the front if they choose to not fight this time.
Also a notable difference this bye poll is the absence of BJP. Gangtok and Rumtek seats were both bargained and won by the central party last time. Nothing much has changed since then. BJP still strong at center, still placed to pull the budgetary and grants strings from Delhi, but they are silent this bye poll. No backroom bargaining is noticeable today. The change reflects the growing strength of the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha and smart handling of Delhi affairs by SKM and their President in particular. All marks to the Krantikaris for the position they are in today. Also credit to the State BJP unit for not attempting a back door entry, again.
CAP on the other hand has announced its decision to contest both seats. They would not win but the fight is a clear message that they continue their political struggle. Their participation in the ensuing polls will be in the interest of democracy. They may be hanging on for their own continuity but their being around is important for Sikkim. Politics is all about choice and democracy needs options. People shall choose the best among them. CAP has done well.
The bye polls are also an opportunity. An opportunity to tone down on the electoral extravagance. The electoral process being an expensive affair makes the opportunity out of reach for a common man. We have seen enough of the expensive campaigns from across party lines in the past. I wish we fight this one on issues, agenda and individuals alone.
My good wishes to the voters, all the candidates and the election officials for a free, fair, peaceful and spirited poll at Namchi and Soreng.
Jai Sikkim.
((Deepak Tewari is a social commentator. Views are personal. Email: tewarideepak@yahoo.co.in)