BJP-SKM alliance strong both in Sikkim and Centre: Thapa

GANGTOK,: State BJP president DR Thapa has categorically stated that the alliance between BJP and ruling SKM “remains strong both in Sikkim and at the Centre”.

Thapa was addressing a party programme at Rey-Mindu under Martam-Rumtek constituency on Saturday, a State BJP press release informs.

“On the issue of the BJP-SKM alliance, Thapa categorically stated that the alliance between the two parties remains strong both in Sikkim and at the Centre. He dismissed the ongoing speculation regarding the Panchayat elections, pointing out that the elections are still nearly 18 months away and that any decision concerning the alliance will be taken at the appropriate time by the leadership of both parties. He urged party workers and the public not to be misled by baseless political speculation,” said the State BJP.

Thapa’s assertions come in the backdrop of a recent purported statement made by a SKM legislator who had dismissed any poll alliance with the BJP in the Sikkim Panchayat Elections 2027.

The State BJP had immediately condemned that statement and today it was the State president who reiterated the BJP alliance’s validity with the ruling SKM.

Thapa also took on former Chief Minister Pawan Chamling for comparing Sikkim with Manipur, a trouble-ridden Northeastern State which is under BJP government. He accused Chamling of making the comparison for “political purposes”.

As per the BJP release, Thapa stated that while Manipur had faced serious challenges, the situation has gradually stabilised with leaders from different communities working together to restore normalcy and accelerate development. He remarked that the focus of political leaders in Sikkim should remain on addressing the aspirations of the people of the State rather than drawing unnecessary comparisons with other states.

Referring to opposition politics, the Sikkim BJP president said that issues relating to Manipur had earlier been used extensively during election campaigns in several States. However, he noted that many leaders today are working together with the BJP in the larger interest of governance and development. He reiterated that the BJP's priority has always been development, public welfare and national progress rather than politics driven by the pursuit of power.

Propaganda like Manipur issue and outsider party didn't find place in recent elections in West Bengal and Assam, said the State BJP president.

According to the State BJP, 39 families from Rey-Mindu under Martam-Rumtek and Namcheybong constituency formally joined the BJP today during two separate joining programmes.

The joining delegation, led by Dawa Lepcha alongside 24 families from Rey Mindu was warmly welcomed into the party fold by the BJP Sikkim State president in the presence of senior party leaders and karyakartas during the joining programme at Rey-Mindu.

Earlier this morning, 15 families from Namcheybong were warmly welcomed by State BJP president during a joining programme at Sichey.

Welcoming the new members, Thapa congratulated them for reposing their faith in the BJP and called upon them to actively work for public welfare while strengthening the organisation at the grassroots level. He said the BJP remains committed to inclusive development, transparent governance and serving every section of society under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The meeting was also addressed by BJP district president Pempo Dorjee Lepcha, newly joined member Dawa Lepcha and others. The newly inducted members expressed their confidence in the BJP's ideology and development-oriented vision and pledged to work dedicatedly to strengthen the party across Martam-Rumtek constituency, said the State BJP.