‘Denying ticket to Ashish Rai in 2019 was a mistake’: Pawan Chamling

In a big statement, former Sikkim Chief Minister and SDF chief Pawan Kumar Chamling today said that denying ticket to Ashish Rai in the 2019 elections from Arithang constituency cost SDF very dearly and it was a big mistake that the party would not repeat in 2024.

Terming Ashish Rai’s return as ‘homecoming’, Chamling said, “Ashish Rai was not given ticket in 2019. We realised it was a mistake. It was more of a misunderstanding. We rectify that mistake that toppled us from the government. In 2024 we will not make that mistake, in fact we admit that it will be our last mistake. We welcome him back home, we are happy for his return and we feel he is family”.

Ashish Rai, who was serving as the Gangtok Municipal Corporation Subject Committee Chairman, was seen as the most eligible candidate from Arithang constituency as SDF youth leader. But instead of him, the party gave the ticket to Shyam Pradhan as the Arithang candidate then, which saw wide spread protest from SDF and Ashish Rai’s supporters prior to elections in 2019.

Ashish Rai in his address admitted to ‘homecoming’, but asserted, “Shame on you if you fool me once, shame on me if you fool me twice”. He shared, “I left the SDF party on 25 March 2019 to be an independent candidate from Arithang. On 19 September 2023, I have returned back home. Four and half years I was living by the SDF party’s principles. What Chamling has done for Sikkim is for future generations, there are infrastructure made in his era that bring recognition to Sikkim today and tomorrow. Organic Sikkim is another example of the same, today ruling front undervalued Organic Mission. But when G20 happened in Sikkim, they realised the recognition of Sikkim as Organic Sikkim”.
Speaking on SDF 2.0, Rai further stated, “I am here to save Sikkim, people tell me how can I lick back my own spit, I am ready to lick back 100 spits for Sikkim. Show me one leader who doesn’t get old. He is here since the monarchy to 50 years of democracy next year, he is the only leader. If they (SKM party) were bringing changes, why hasn’t Sikkim seen change”.
Chamling asserted on SDF’s Save Sikkim campaign, terming it the last chance in 2024 elections. He said, “The election will happen anytime between December to February, there is an assumption that it will happen two months prior. Hence, there is no time left. I urge everyone to go back to constituencies and work for the people. There is a need for team work, to make the party stronger. There is no room for groupism but the need for saving Sikkim. We must stand united and work in every constituency. We must ensure SDF party wins, where Sikkim wins and is saved”.
Chamling claimed 90 percent of new joining to be from SKM party with 10 percent from other parties, a total of 724 families joined SDF party.
Apart from Ashish Rai, many prominent figures such as CB Chettri former assistant registrar, Sikkim University, Sharad Rai from SKM party, former bureaucrats DK Bhandari, Navin Karki, DK Rai, social activist Toya Rizal along with Sikkim chapter of Aam Aadmi Party joined SDF today at a mega joining programme held at the SDF headquarters in Gangtok.

Also Read : Sikkim: Big boost to SDF, over 1500 join party ahead of Assembly polls