Sikkim By-polls: SDF Fields First Timers for Namchi-Shinghithang and Soreng-Chakung Seats

The introduction of new candidates marks a strategic move to reactivate the SDF and make its presence felt again in Sikkim's political landscape.

The Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) has announced new comers as its candidates for the upcoming by-polls.

The party has fielded Daniel Rai for the Namchi-Shinghithang seat and Prem Bahadur Bhandari for the Soreng-Chakung Assembly seat. They both will contest elections for the first time.

Bhandari is expected to face a tough fight as he is up against Aditya Golay, the son of SKM Supremo and Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, who is contesting for the second time in Soreng-Chakung for a second time.

Golay previously won the seat in 2019 with 6,580 votes defeating SDF’s Sancha Raj Subba. This year, Aditya did not contest the Assembly elections as his father contested and retained the seat along with the Rhenock seat.

In the Namchi-Shinghithang seat, Daniel Rai will contest against seasoned politician Satish Chandra Rai, SDF leader and former Chairman of the Skill Development Department.

The Soreng-Chakung seat fall vacant after Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang resigned as MLA to focus on the Rhenock constituency, while the Namchi-Shinghithang seat fall vacant after Krishna Kumari Rai, Chief Minister’s wife resigned as MLA from the seat stating that she does not require a position to serve the people of the state.

As the SDF gears up for these key by-elections, the introduction of new candidates is being seen as a strategic move by the party that was decimated by SKM in the past two assembly elections of 2019 and 2024. The decision to field new faces is a clear effort by the party to make its presence felt in Sikkim’s political landscape after being wiped out in the 2024 polls by SKM.

The by-elections for these two seats will be held on November 13 and counting of votes will take place on November 23.

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