Sikkim Assembly polls: Major setback for SKM, VP Lobzang Bhutia quits party, joins SDF

In a major setback for the ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM), party vice president Lobzang Bhutia has tendered his resignation from the party and his post and has joined the opposition Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) on Thursday, just a day before the stage is all set for the simultaneous Assembly and Lok Sabha elections in the Northeastern state of Sikkim.

Notably, Lobzang, the Vice President of SKM had contested from Barfung constituency on an SKM ticket in 2019. He was defeated by Sikkim Democratic Front candidate Tashi Thendup Bhutia by 97 votes.
Prior to that Lobzang Bhutia contested the Assembly elections from Barfung constituency on an Indian National Congress ticket in 2009 where he was defeated by Sikkim Democratic Front candidate Sonam Gyatso Bhutia by 3852 votes.

Tendering his resignation to the SKM party president he wrote, “I, Lobzang Bhutia, CEC Vice President and resident of Rabongla, would like to tender my resignation from the post and primary membership of the party” in the letter.

It is to be mentioned that voting for the 32-member Sikkim Assembly and the lone Lok Sabha seat in the state will be held on April 19 and the counting will take place on June 2.