2024 Sikkim Polls: SKM predicts easy win in Gnathang Machong with the help of BJP

With Sikkim bracing for assembly elections as early as April this year, it has now almost become clear that the Sikkim Krantikari (SKM) and the BJP will go together in the polls.

Sikkim Rural Development Minister and also the Chief Coordinator of SKM, Sonam Lama gave a clear indication of this as he said that the SKM will win the Gnathang Machong constituency, a seat that the SKM lost twice in 2014 and 2019, to the BJP. DT Lepcha who won twice from the seat has now been elected to the Rajya Sabha with the full support of the SKM.

Lama said, “In 2014, 2019 we lost the election and we accepted our loss since it is a democracy. Today I can say it with gurantee from today’s meeting, the people too have proved. Moreover the sitting MLA (DT Lepcha, now Rajya Sabha MP) himself has assured his full support to us after he said that our party has been doing good in terms of governance, hence this proves as to much the SKM has done for the welfare of the people. Not 99% but I give you 110% gurantee that in 2024, whoever comes here against SKM will forfeit this constituency.”

Hence, from the comments of Lama, it will not be wrong to predict that the SKM is looking at a sure shot win from Gnathang Machong this time, with the help of BJP. But as of now nothing is clear since both the parties in alliance are yet to make any official statement, as to whether there would be any kind of pre or post poll understanding.

When asked as to who from the SKM will contest from Gnathang Machong, Sonam Lama said, “This will be decided our party leaders, a meeting will decided on this (candidature). When time comes it will be disclosed.”