Sikkim assembly polls 2024: Cong announces 1st list of 18 candidates

The Congress in Sikkim has announced its first list of 18 candidates for the upcoming Assembly elections in 2024. Of the 14 names announced, 12 are first-timers.

President of the Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee (SPCC), Gopal Chettri will contest from the Chujachen assembly constituency for a fourth term. He is also contesting for the lone Sikkim Lok Sabha seat.

Gopal Chettri has been with the Congress since 2009. In the 2009 assembly elections in Sikkim, Chettri won the Chujachen by defeating Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) candidate Puran Gurung.

He was re-elected from the Chujachen seat in 2014 and 2019 as well.

In the 2014 assembly elections, he won the seat by defeating Bikram Pradhan of SDF.

While in the 2019 assembly elections, he secured the seat by defeating SDF candidate K B Rai.

Here’s the list of candidates announced:

NAMES CONSTITUENCIES
Kamal Lepcha Yoksam Tashiding
Mangal Subba Yangthang
N.B. Gurung Maneybung Dentam
Srayes Subba Gyalshing Barmyak
Karma Loday Lepcha Rinchenpong
Dinesh Darjee Salghari Zoom
Sanchaman Chettri Namthang Rateypani
Sandup Lepcha Tumen Lengi
Tanka Nath Adhikari Khamdong-Singtam
Binod Tikhatri Nest Pendam
Kapil Sapkota Rhenock
Shering Pema Bhutia Gnathang-Machong
Karma Tashi Bhutia Shyari
Ganga Lepcha Martam Rumtek
Sumitra Rai Arithang
Snumit Targain Gangtok
Aita Tamang Upper Burtuk

Voting for the 32-member Sikkim Assembly will be held on April 19 and counting will take place on June 2.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) had earlier notified dates for the upcoming election with the last date of filing nominations being March 27.

Scrutiny of nominations is to be carried out by ECI on March 28 and March 30 is the date for withdrawal of candidature.

Also Read: Sikkim Assembly polls 2024: No alliance says BJP, to contest all 32 seats alone