CAP calls for Sikkim CM’s resignation amidst flash flood fallout

"It's because of the Chief Minister's irresponsibility that he should resign", says Ganesh Rai

In response to the flash flood in Sikkim on October 4, the Citizen Action Party (CAP) has called for Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang to step down. The chief coordinator of CAP, Ganesh Rai, made this demand during a press conference, citing the chief minister’s changing statements about the Teesta Tragedy. Rai stated, “It’s because of the Chief Minister’s irresponsibility that he should resign.”

Rai highlighted the contradiction in the chief minister’s statements. He said, “Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang’s statements are contradictory. Initially, he claimed he was informed at 10:40 p.m. and had alerted everyone, but later, in the media on yesterday, he said he was informed at around 1 p.m. and then initiated response efforts. The way he is changing his own words breaks our trust, and we believe he should step down.”

CAP’s demands also include a CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) inquiry into the situation in Chungthang, particularly regarding corruption allegations related to dam construction. Rai pointed out, “Corruption has been reported since the formation of the company responsible for the dam’s construction. The dam broke after ten years, and the Chief Minister himself admitted to corruption. People lost their lives and homes due to this corruption, which is why we demand a CBI inquiry.”

Rai stressed that the chief minister should take responsibility and not shift blame to the previous government. He questioned why the chief minister, knowing about the sub-standard dam, didn’t take action when he had the chance.

In addition, Rai called for a CBI inquiry into the Teesta Urja Dam’s breakage. He criticized the government for blaming the previous administration for neglecting dam construction and urged the current government to address the issue. Rai also called for a review of the implementation of the Dam Safety Act and a comprehensive study of all such dams, making the results public.

Regarding the government’s recent announcements on October 16, Rai suggested that flood victims should receive compensation instead of relief. He proposed that if the river washed away a certain value of a house, an equivalent value should be provided to build a new one.

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