Sikkim Assembly Polls: SKM Gives Stiff Fight to Ruling SDF

New Delhi: As the counting of votes for the Sikkim assembly polls proceeds towards a finish, the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) and the opposition Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) are locked in a close climax.

The state assembly has 32 seats, out of which results for 24 have been declared. According to information from the state at the time of filing, SDF and SKM have cornered 12 seats each.

One of them would have to scale it up to 17 seats in order to grab the reins of the state.

State chief minister for five consecutive terms, Pawan Kumar Chamling, has won from his home seat Poklong Kamrang and is reportedly ahead in the Namchi-Singhhithang seat too. While SKM chief P.S. Golay’s son Aditya has also been declared a winner from Soreng-Chakung.

However, Bhaichung Bhutia-led Hamro Sikkim Party failed to make an impact in the polls along with the BJP, the Congress as well as the other smaller parties that were formed in the run-up to the polls.

In the 2014 assembly polls, SKM challenged the SDF and cornered ten seats. This time though, it has already raised its tally to 12 and is hoping to pocket five more banking on the anti-incumbency of the 25-year-old state government.