Sikkim: SKM expel former minister Karma Loday Bhutia and 2 other leaders for anti-party activities

Reported by Prakash Adhikari | Copy edited by Lipika Roy

Days after its landmark victory in the Sikkim Assembly elections 2024, Prem Singh Tamang-led Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) has expelled as many as three workers including former Forest Minister Karma Loday Bhutia for allegedly indulging in anti-party activities.

Two other SKM workers who have been expelled are:

1. Durga Prasad Pradhan, former advisor of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services Department, Sikkim. He was also the District Level Vice-President of the Chalak Morcha in Geyzing district.
2. Avinash Yakha, General Secretary Press & Media of the Youth Wing of SKM.

They have been expelled from the party with immediate effect from today and both their primary membership and post will be considered null and void.

There are allegations that Karma Loday Bhutia has indulged in anti-party activities as the party denied him a ticket to contest from Lungchok in the State Assembly Election 2024 and replaced him with T T Bhutia.

Karma Loday Bhutia was first elected as MLA in 2019 after winning Lungchok seat defeating Ugen Nedup Bhutia of SDF by 1,437 votes and was inducted into the Pema Khandu Cabinet as Forest Minister for the first time.

He also held the position of Vice-President in charge of the Sports Department and Culture Wing of SKM during his tenure.

SKM has swept the Sikkim Assembly elections 2024, winning an overwhelming 31 out of the total 32 Assembly seats, leaving only one seat for SDF.

After the resounding victory of the party, Prem Singh Tamang has been unanimously elected for his 2nd term as Chief Minister and as the Leader of the Legislature for the SKM party.

According to sources, he will take oath as the Chief Minister on June 5 at the Paljor Stadium in Gangtok.