Sikkim Bypolls : CAP Sikkim levels serious allegations against SKM & Returning Officer

GANGTOK,: Citizen Action Party (CAP) Sikkim has accused the ruling SKM of intimidating the proposers of the opposition party’s candidates contesting the Soreng-Chakung and Namchi-Singhithang bye-elections.

Addressing a press meet here on Saturday, CAP Sikkim spokesperson Phuri Sherpa said: “Our party received a little above 6% votes in the recently concluded Assembly elections. Despite this, we have fielded candidates for the bypolls in order to strengthen the democratic process.”

Mahesh Rai and Pobin Hang Subba are the CAP Sikkim candidates for Namchi-Singhithang and Soreng-Chakung constituencies respectively. The nomination process ended on Friday.

“Attempts are being made to threaten the proposers of our candidates. CAP Sikkim is emerging as a popular political party and hence, we got proposers for our candidates. But from Friday evening onwards, our proposers are facing threats and the whereabouts of some of them are not known,” said Phuri.

Scrutiny of nomination papers is on October 28 before the respective Returning Officers in Soreng and Namchi DACs.

“If nominations of our candidates are rejected during the scrutiny, the ruling SKM would be held responsible. A government should work for the people. Despite forming the government with absolute majority, they are trying to bulldoze the constitutional rights of the people for the victory of their candidates,” said the CAP Sikkim spokesperson.

Phuri also criticised the role of the Returning Officer.

“The names of our candidate’s proposers were made public in the official social media page of the Sikkim government which was wrong to do. CAP Sikkim is an opposition party and our proposers are concerned when their names are made public. We have doubts on the role of the Returning Officer and our party has communicated to the ECI and CEO regarding this,” said Phuri.

Similarly, CAP Sikkim youth functionary TR Sharma said the CAP Sikkim is ready to have a healthy electoral contest with the SKM. However, our party candidates and their proposers are being subjected to threats and pressure, he added.

Sharma added: “We will not give a walkover. We will strongly contest with the SKM for full 90 minutes and are ready to battle in extra-time also. But the SKM is indicating not to allow the game to be held by threatening our party.”

The last date for withdrawing nominations is on October 30 followed by polling on November 13.