Sikkim CM’s wife to fight Assembly polls; lone MP renominated
The ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) has named Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang’s wife, Krishna Kumari Rai, as a candidate for one of the State’s 32 Assembly constituencies but dropped their son from another.
While Ms. Rai will contest from NamchiSinghithang constituency, the Chief Minister will replace his son, Aditya Tamang, in SorengChakung seat. The Chief Minister, who represents PoklokKamrang seat now, will also contest from Rhenock constituency.
“The decision to field the Chief Minister from two constituencies and his wife was taken by our party’s parliamentary board,” Assembly Speaker Arun Kumar Upreti told journalists in State capital Gangtok on Monday.
The SKM also renominated MP Indra Hang Subba for the lone Lok Sabha seat in the Himalayan State.
Bhaichung to contest
Former Chief Minister and founderpresident of the Opposition Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) Pawan Kumar Chamling shifted from NamchiSinghithang to PoklokKamrang apparently to avoid facing his successor’s wife.
Among the prominent names in the SDF lineup are that of former Indian footballer Bhaichung Bhutia, who merged his Hamro Sikkim Party with the Chamlingled party in November 2023. Mr. Bhutia will face the SKM’s Rikshal Dorjee Bhutia in the Barfung constituency.
Apart from 26 candidates for the Assembly election, the SDF nominated Prem Das Rai as its Lok Sabha candidate.
Although the SKM is a constituent of the National Democratic Alliance, the two parties will face off in 14 constituencies.