Tomorrow : People’s mandate on who
will run Sikkim for next 5 years
BIJOY
GURUNG
GANGTOK,
May 31: By this time on Sunday, the nation will know who is running the Sikkim
government for the next five years. Results of votes polled for the 32 Assembly
seats are being declared after simultaneous counting on June 2 in the six
district headquarters of Sikkim.
A total of
146 candidates have contested in the 32 Assembly seats of Sikkim.
Sikkim had
recorded nearly 80% voting- postal ballots are yet to be tabulated in the final
figure – on April 19. These votes sealed in the EVMs and postal ballots will be
opened with counting to start from 6 am of June 2, amidst tight security
arrangements by the authorities.
With
counting of all the 32 Assembly seats to be conducted simultaneously, Election
authorities here expect that declaration of results is completed by 2 pm of
Sunday afternoon at the maximum.
SIKKIM EXPRESS reached out to the
political parties regarding their expectations and enthusiasm about the results
on Counting Day. Here is what they have to share….
‘Expecting Excellent Results in all 32
seats’, says SKM
The ruling
SKM is confident about being re-elected for the second straight time, asserting
that the PS Golay-led front has a strong hold in all the 32 Assembly
constituencies.
“We are
confident of winning all the seats and expecting excellent results. We have a
strong hold in all the 32 seats and as per the feedback of the party cadre, our
party received solid voting. The SKM cadres are all confident and excited to
celebrate the SKM victory rally,” said SKM spokesperson Bikash Basnet.
Asked what
would be the immediate priorities of the SKM, if elected for the second term,
Basnet shared that completing the government employees’ regularisation process,
and posting and other procedures of those given job orders before the elections
are among the important works to be completed.
“Besides
these, works for the house allotments given have to be started, another
priority area is to give continuity to the ongoing schemes and projects, and
complete them. Under the able leadership of our leader PS Golay, the promises
made and ongoing projects would be completed and dedicated to the people,” said
the SKM spokesperson.
“After
forming the government, we will work diligently for a ‘Sunaulo Sikkim,
Samriddha Sikkim’ as envisioned by our leader PS Golay. After the election
results, our party leader will be sharing the policies and roadmap of ‘Sunaulo
Sikkim’ to the people of Sikkim,” added Basnet.
Regarding
concerns of post-poll violence and victimisation, Basnet asserted that the SKM
does not believe in such unpleasant activities and referred to the past two
Assembly elections.
“SKM does
not believe in post-poll violence and victimisation. Our party did not engage
in violence after the 2014 elections and in 2019 election also, nothing like
that happened. As directed by our party leader, the SKM cadres and supporters
have been given strict instructions to maintain law and order, peace and
tranquillity of Sikkim. We will not allow peace in Sikkim to be disturbed.
Similarly, we have never adopted victimisation politics and after forming the
government this time also, we will focus on running the government smoothly,”
said Basnet.
Chief
Minister & SKM president PS Golay, during a meeting with the party
candidates on Thursday, had laid stress on maintaining peace and tranquillity
of Sikkim after the results are declared on June 2.
About the
message to the people for Counting Day, the SKM spokesperson said: “On behalf
of the SKM and party president PS Golay, we appeal to the people of Sikkim to
maintain peace and tranquillity of Sikkim. We also urge the State
administration that strong action must be taken against anyone who tries to
break the law and peace, irrespective of their party affiliations.”
‘Making a historic comeback’, says SDF
Meanwhile,
the SDF is also upbeat about making a “historic comeback” to power after
spending five years in the opposition, and positive of winning close to 26
seats.
“Expectations
in the SDF are very positive to form the government this time after being in
the opposition for the last five years by winning close to 26 seats and the
least being 18 seats. The mood of the SDF cadres is very upbeat as they have
worked hard in the last five years to make a historic comeback in 2024,” said
SDF spokesperson MK Subba.
Adding to
this, SDF spokesperson PD Rai said: “We will win and win convincingly. We are
confident that the people of Sikkim will return the mandate to our party and
Pawan Chamling will enter his 6th term in office as Chief Minister of Sikkim.
The people of Sikkim have already spoken, and the counting will ensure the
results are in accordance with our expectations.”
“This will
be a big win for the people of Sikkim. SDF is a pro-Sikkimese people’s party
and we have always protected the rights of the Sikkimese people fully. That is
why this win will ensure that we will bring Sikkim back from the brink. That is
why we are so confident,” said Rai.
Subba, to
a question, said the top-most priority after the SDF 2.0 government is formed,
is restoration of law and order situation in Sikkim “as the public have voted
for SDF for peace and security which have been lost in the SKM government”. Our
other priority is to restore and repair the dilapidated conditions of the
infrastructure in Sikkim due to which the Sikkimese people have suffered a lot which
is hampering the economic progress too, he said.
PD Rai
also voiced similar priorities of the SDF.
“Our
priority is to bring back the rule of law. The people of Sikkim’s security and
their future is what we will begin with. The damage done by the SKM and Golay
has been humungous and so we have to start with first things first. That is why
we will bring back the good governance paradigm once again. The message will go
to the people that they do not have to fear us but fear the law of the land.
The police will also start working impartially. We will also ensure that we
begin work on taking action to bring our youth who are burdened by use of
drugs,” he said.
Rai
stressed that post-poll victimisation is not on the SDF agenda.
“Victimization
is not on our agenda. However, we have to set things right for the people of
Sikkim in accordance with the law of the land. A new Government will have its
priorities and will also have the prerogative to ensure proper implementation
of its policies, some of which have been stated above,” he said.
Adding to
this, MK Subba said the SDF leadership has clearly instructed the party cadres
to refrain from all forms of violence and especially post-poll violence. We
also request the people to refrain from any kind of post-poll violence and to
maintain peace, he said.
“Our
message to the people of Sikkim is that the 2nd of June will be a defining day
when many ghosts and negative narratives will be set to rest. A new beginning
with new hope will be ushered in and the win of the SDF Party will be the win
of the people of Sikkim,” said PD Rai.
‘We will be in Govt after results’, says BJP
While they
are optimistic about the election results, the State BJP believes that filing
and contesting in the 31 Assembly constituencies itself was a big leap for the
national party in Sikkim.
“We are
optimistic about the election result. The filing and contesting 31 Assembly constituencies
itself was a big leap for the BJP in Sikkim. We were able to garner massive
support from the people and we are confident that BJP Sikkim will be in the
Government after the results,” said State BJP spokesperson Passang Sherpa.
Asked what
would be immediate priorities and work to be done urgently in the next few months
by the coming government, Passang said peace and tranquillity of Sikkim has to
be restored along with rule of law.
“Peace and
tranquillity of the State needs to be restored, establish the rule of law,
mitigate economic hardship, hit hard on corruption and corrupt practices, put
an end to commission and percentage system in government projects and
investments, re-evaluation of fiscal health, re-evaluation in education, health
and tourism sector. Keeping in view the long spell of monsoon ahead we should
divert all our energies and resources to reach out immediate relief and
restoration of infrastructure to the affected areas, channelling of superfluous
human resources available with State government towards productive, meaningful and future oriented endeavours,”
said the State BJP spokesperson.
Asked
about the post-poll violence and victimisation concerns, Passang said: “Anticipating
post-poll violence in the State, we have already communicated to the Governor
and Home Ministry requesting them to help prevent any such incidents in the State.
Furthermore, we are of the opinion that culture of victimisation in the State
should be uprooted once and for all.”
Regarding
the BJP Sikkim’s message to the people for Counting Day, the spokesperson said:
“We as Sikkimese society must respect the mandate given by people. We all
should strive to maintain peace, harmony and brotherhood irrespective of the
election results. Party and Government come and go but we as a Sikkimese
society should remain united and march towards the dream of ‘Viksit Sikkim’ in
line with the national call for ‘Viksit Bharat’ given by Prime Minister
Narendra Modi.”
‘Results will reflect hard work of our
party’, says CAP
On their part,
Citizen Action Party (CAP) Sikkim believes that the Assembly election results
will reflect the hard work of the party candidates and workers. The CAP Sikkim
is making an electoral debut in this election after it was floated by Ganesh K.
Rai in 2023.
“As we
approach Counting Day, the Citizen Action Party (CAP) - Sikkim is optimistic
about the Assembly and Parliamentary Elections 2024 results. Our expectations
are rooted in our deep connection with the people and our comprehensive
approach to addressing their needs. Over time, CAP- Sikkim has actively engaged
at the grassroots level across the State, bridging gaps often ignored by other
parties. This direct interaction has built a strong bond with the electorate, leading
to positive expectations,” said CAP Sikkim spokesperson Prashant Babu Chettri.
Prashant
said the party’s unwavering commitment to political and social reforms,
advocating for transparency, accountability, and the eradication of corruption,
has resonated with a large section of the populace. These are issues that
voters seeking genuine change in governance strongly support, he added while
sharing that the party’s manifesto with its inclusive nature garnered
widespread support.
The CAP
Sikkim spokesperson said the party leadership project a clear and compelling
vision for the State’s future, and throughout the election campaign, CAP Sikkim
maintained a positive, issue-based approach, avoiding negative tactics. This
strategy has been appreciated by voters tired of divisive politics, he said.
“Given
these factors, we are confident that the results will reflect the hard work and
sincere efforts of our candidates and party workers. We believe that the people
of Sikkim will recognize and support our commitment to their welfare and the
State’s prosperity,” said the CAP Sikkim spokesperson.
To a
question, Prashant asserted that the CAP Sikkim strongly condemns any form of
post-poll violence and victimization and is committed to maintaining peace and
harmony in the State, regardless of the election outcomes.
“In
anticipation of potential concerns, CAP- Sikkim will work closely with law
enforcement agencies to ensure that adequate security measures are in place to
protect individuals and properties. We will also establish helplines and
support centers for any citizens who feel threatened or victimized,” he added.
On the key
priorities and urgent tasks for the next few months, the CAP Sikkim said it
would immediately form a committee to review all the long pending demands of
the State with the Centre government which has been the core constituent of the
party’s election promises. Issues such as restoration of Nepali seats in the State
Assembly, Limboo - Tamang seat issue and revisit of the Finance Act 2023 are
some of the key priorities that the party will take up with utmost priority
with New Delhi, said the CAP Sikkim.
CAP Sikkim
would also be giving priority to administrative efficiency disrupted during the
election period besides working on reviving the local economy and ensuring
robust healthcare services, education reforms, creating job opportunities for
the youth through skill development programs, and reinforcing transparency and
accountability in governance, said the party.
Regarding
the party’s message to the people for Counting Day, Prashant said: “As we
approach Counting Day, the CAP Sikkim extends its heartfelt gratitude to the
people of Sikkim for their active participation in the democratic process. Your
vote is your voice, and you have spoken with clarity and conviction. We urge
everyone to remain calm and patient as the results are tallied. This is a
moment for unity, not division. Regardless of the outcome, CAP- Sikkim remains
committed to the values of transparency, accountability, and progress that have
guided our campaign.”
