PS Golay becomes eligible to contest by-elections

Gangtok, Sep 29 (UNI/IBNS) Chief Minister PS Golay has now become eligible to contest the Sikkim Assembly by-elections, after the Election Commission of India reduced his term of disqualification from six years to one year and a month.

He was disqualified for six years due to conviction in a corruption case in 2017.

In order to continue as the chief minister of Sikkim, Golay has to become a member of Sikkim Assembly within six months after assuming office.

With the disqualification removed, he will contest the by-elections scheduled on Oct 21 next.

The last date for filing the nomination for the Poklok Kamrang seat is Sept 30. Golay is expected to fight from this seat as per SKMs alliance with BJP.

The Sikkim Krantikari Morcha Party supremo became the Chief Minister on May 19 last.

On Saturday, SKM and BJP declared that they have reached seat sharing agreement for the by-elections to three Assembly seats namely Poklok Kamrang in South Sikkim and in East Sikkim Gangtok and Martam Rumtek Constituency.

BJPs election in charge for Sikkim Nitin Nabin and State chief DB Chauhan and SKM Political Secretary to chief minister cum party spokesperson Jacob Khaling declared the seat-sharing.

In the ceremony, SKMs candidate for Martam Rumtek Constituency Sonam Venchungpa joined BJP, which means after the alliance BJP will contest from the Gangtok and Martam Rumtek constituencies, while SKM will fight the Poklok Kamrang seat.