Sikkim: HSP co-founder and president Bhaichung Bhutia to join Sikkim Democratic Front

In a big political development ahead of the Sikkim Assembly elections early next year, co-founder and president of Hamro Sikkim Party (HSP), Bhaichung Bhutia would be joining Pawan Chamling-led Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF). Bhutia, the former Indian footballer is likely to join SDF on September 19.

Bhutia is likely to join SDF along with several of his party leaders and merge HSP with SDF. Bhutia had launched HSP in 2018 to fight SDF that was ruling Sikkim then. After signing out from the world of football in 2011, the former India captain, Bhutia had joined TMC in 2014 and was the Trinamool’s Lok Sabha candidate from Darjeeling and assembly candidate from Siliguri in 2016. He lost both elections before quitting the TMC in February 2018.

Bhutia was spotted at several SDF events in different parts of the state. Most recently, Bhutia was seen at a closed door meeting with SDF leaders discussing the SDF flag at his home town, Barfung. He was also seen with senior SDF leader and former Minister D D Bhutia.

It may be mentioned here that since early this year, both SDF and HSP have collaborated on a number of occasions.

Earlier in April this year, SDF had backed the HSP’s 1,000km statewide “Sikkimey Ekta Yatra (March for Sikkim Unity) that began from April 6.

In July too, top leaders of the HSP and the SDF had convened a meeting to deliberate on several keys of the state.

The issues included the dilution of the Sikkimese definition and Article 371F, pervasive corruption within government departments, the deteriorating law and order situation, increasing unemployment, and other significant matters that demand immediate attention.

Founded in 2018, the HSP had for the first time made its foray into politics by contesting the 2019 assembly elections. The party contested in 23 seats but did not manage to win a single seat. In the Lok Sabha election too, the party could not make much of an impact as HSP candidate Biraj Adhikari lost the battle by securing only 1,998 votes.

Also Read: Senior Sikkim Politician and HSP General Secretary Biraj Adhikari resigns from party due to health reasons