Breaking: 10 Sikkim Democratic Front MLAs Jump Ship to BJP

New Delhi, August 13, 2019:

Is the political scenario in Sikkim headed for a sea-change?

After 25 years of a relatively peaceful reign under Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) under Pawan Chamling, the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) managed to eke out a slim majority in the Assembly Elections. The SKM won 17 Seats (compared to 15 won by the SDF) and Pawan Singh Chamling, AKA PS Golay was subsequently sworn in as CM. However, if sources are to be believed, the SKM might not be able to hang onto the fortress for long.

The SKM might be in power for the moment, but the main opposition, the SDF, is not behind. As things currently stand, the SKM has 16 MLAs, whereas the SDF has 13 MLAs.

Out of 32 seats, 17 seats were won by the SKM, but one of. Present HRD Minister K N Lepcha had won from two assembly constituencies. SDF won 15 seats, and Pawan Chamling and D T Lepcha won two seats each. All these developments have necessitated 3 by-polls in the state in the upcoming months. Moreover, the current CM Golay is yet to prove his mettle as he must win an election within the next 6 months in order to hang onto the post of Chief Minister. Furthermore, Golay is still plagued by charges of corruption as the opposition has brought the charges against him yet again.

However, things are headed for a shake-up as as many as ten SDF members are all set to join the BJP party. These MLAs, led by DT Lepcha, are already camped out in New Delhi under the leadership of former Minister D T Lepcha. It is to be mentioned that the MLAs had earlier met BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav.

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