In a significant and historic victory, the Sikkim Krantikari
Morcha (SKM), under the dynamic leadership of Shri Prem Singh Tamang (Golay),
won 31 out of 32 assembly constituencies in the 11th State Assembly Election
and secured the lone Lok Sabha seat for Sikkim in the 18th Lok Sabha Election.
This huge success marked SKM as the only party to achieve such a dominant
position that too only in its second term. As the state of Sikkim celebrates
this monumental win, the people of 11 Namchi Singithang have an additional
reason to rejoice. This constituency, long under the shadow of a single leader,
now looks forward to a new era of political representation and growth.
The Chamling Era: 40 Years of Dominance
Sikkim joined the Indian Union as its 22nd state in 1975,
and it is now approaching the 50-year milestone of its democratic journey. For
almost 40 of those years, one man, Pawan Kumar Chamling, has been synonymous
with the political landscape of Namchi. Chamling, the former Chief Minister of
Sikkim, held sway over the area first as the representative of 13-Damthang from
1985 to 2004, and then, after the delimitation of 2006, as the representative
of 11 Namchi Singithang. Even when he relinquished the constituency in 2009 to
Binod Rai, as required by the Conduct of Election Rules 1961 under Sec on 67/A,
he remained the de facto leader, with Binod Rai seen largely as his puppet.
Chamling’s tenure was marked by his iron grip on the
constituency, preventing the rise of other potential leaders. This "bonsaification"
a term used by me to describe his method of stunting the growth of other political
figures—ensured his dominance but also sowed the seeds of his eventual
downfall. The authoritarian rule and monopoly led to widespread discontent,
ultimately culminating in the dramatic political shift in 2019.
The Fall of SDF and the Rise of SKM
The 2019 elections were a turning point. The Sikkim
Democratic Front (SDF), Chamling's party, won 15 seats, falling just two seats
short of forming the government. Chamling had won both seats he contested: 10
Poklok Kamrang and 11 Namchi Singithang and according to the rules he had to
relinquish one, so he chose to relinquish Poklok Kamrang, leading to a
by-election won by Shri Prem Singh Tamang. Throughout the first term of Sikkim
Krantikari Morcha government from 2019 – 2024, Chamling hardly spoke for the
people of Namchi Singithang at the State Assembly. Chamling was no where to be
seen even during the harsh days of COVID-19 pandemic. It was only prior to the
elections that Chamling started making his move. This drastically affected the
people of Namchi Singithang. During this time the Hon’ble Chief Minister and
Smt. Krishna Kumari Rai stood as guardians and helped the people of Namchi.
By 2024, the landscape had changed dramatically. Chamling,
recognizing the strong support for SKM and particularly for Smt. Krishna Kumari
Rai, the spouse of the Chief Minister, chose not to contest from Namchi
Singithang for the first time in 40 years even though he had stated in media
that he would contest from the said constituency. Smt. Krishna Kumari Rai,
known for her kindness, generosity, and dedication, had already won the hearts
of Namchi’s residents. Her candidacy was met with overwhelming support, and she
won by a significant margin of 5302 votes over SDF's Bimal Rai.
A New Dawn for Namchi Singithang
The 2024 elec ons broke the longstanding dominance of
Chamling. Smt. Krishna Kumari Rai became the first woman MLA of Namchi
Singithang, symbolizing a new era of representation and hope. Her victory was
not just a political win but a triumph of compassion and genuine service over
authoritarian rule. Despite Chamling’s claim that he was “leaving Namchi for a
woman,” his departure and Smt. Krishna Kumari Rai’s subsequent victory marked a
pivotal shift. Ultimately it took a soft-hearted woman to end the monopoly of
an autocratic leader.
The Sacrifice and Legacy of Smt. Krishna
Kumari Rai
After her victory, Smt. Krishna Kumari Rai made the
surprising decision to resign as MLA. While this move saddened many, it
underscored her commitment to selfless service. It also signified that she was
never after the position but was just honestly following the direction of the
parliamentary committee and the party. In her resignation statement, she
promised to continue working for Namchi and assured the people that they would
have a dedicated legislator to represent them. The Hon’ble Chief Minister’s declaration
that Namchi would now benefit from having three MLAs—himself, Smt. Krishna
Kumari Rai, and the new MLA— was a testament to the deep bond and commitment
the leadership has towards the constituency.
Smt. Krishna Kumari Rai’s sacrifice doesn’t only come after the formation of the government but from the days when Shri Prem Singh Tamang revolted against the autocratic SDF regime. She stood beside Shri Prem Singh Tamang and didn’t flinch even when subjected to brutal harassment by the then Government under Mr. Chamling. She was also the only teacher to be harassed by the vigilance department but in spite of all the hardships and challenges she remained with Shri Prem Singh Tamang and the party which shows her iron resolve and fortitude for any cause that she espouses. Even after facing all the harassment and hardships she remains to be an embodiment of politeness, kindness and generosity.
Looking
Ahead
As Namchi Singithang steps into this new chapter, the people
can look forward to a future shaped by inclusive and progressive leadership.
The long years of dominance have ended, making way for fresh perspectives and
renewed hope. Under the strong and compassionate guidance of the Hon’ble Chief
Minister of Sikkim, Shri Prem Singh Tamang, the constituency is poised for
growth and prosperity, embodying the spirit of a ‘Sunowlo’ and ‘Samriddha’
Sikkim.
(Sanjay Dilpali Rai is a concerned youth and a resident of 11-Namchi Singithang. Views are personal. Email: yajnasdilpali@gmail.com)
