Sikkim's Citizen Action Party one-man show: Former president LP Kafle

Former president of Sikkim's Citizen Action Party (CAP), LP Kafle, has issued a clarification over the reasons behind his resignation from the party, citing a shift away from its founding principles, particularly collective leadership.
 

Along with Kafle, several other key members, including CAP’s Gangtok candidate in the last election Dawcho Lepcha, working president (administration) Lakpa Sherpa, Upper Tadong candidate Ravi Gurung, and West Pandam candidate Dr. S. Madan Rasaily, have also quit the party.
 

Speaking to media, Kafle said that CAP was formed with the goal of bringing constructive politics to Sikkim. A key principle of the party, as enshrined in its constitution, was collective leadership, ensuring that major decisions were taken by a group of 11 working presidents. However, he alleged that this principle had been disregarded post-elections.
 

"According to CAP’s constitution, there should be 11 working presidents to ensure collective decision-making. But after the elections, all of them were removed and made vice presidents. The party has now become a one-man show, ignoring its original vision. That is the primary reason for our resignation," Kafle said.
 

He also referred to Bharat Basnett, under whose leadership the party had contested elections, saying, "Bharat Basnett took moral responsibility for the election loss and resigned. Now, he is in meditation, practicing yoga and is not involved in party affairs."
 

Sherpa added that CAP was meant to bring administrative, economic, and political reforms for a self-reliant and peaceful Sikkim. However, he now believes the party has lost its way. "We thought CAP would take Sikkim to great heights and fulfill our dream of a ‘Sunaulo Sikkim,’ but now the party is going in a different direction," he said.
 

Kafle said that he and his other party members who had resigned from the party will continue their political journey and will reveal their future course of action in the coming days.