GANGTOK: Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Golay collectively secured 20,574 votes in two constituencies of Rhenock and Soreng Chakung. The victory margin for the SKM leader is surprisingly higher than the entire voter count of BJP, which stands at embarrassingly only 19,956 votes in 31 constituencies.
Golay secured 10,480 votes in his home constituency of Soreng Chakung while in Rhenock he secured 10,094 votes.
Former five time Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling of SDF party could secure only 9,913 votes in two constituencies. He had contested from Namcheybong (4939 votes) and his fortress Poklok Kamrang constituency (4974 votes), losing in both the constituency.
SKM party collectively secured 2,25,068 votes in 32 constituencies. SKM’s victory margin against their oppostion Sikkim Democratic Front Party is by a margin of 1,19,565 votes, which is more than the entire voter count of SDF who secured 1,05,503 votes in the entire 32 constituencies.
The lone winner for SDF party Tenzing Lamtha from Shyari constituency secured 6633 votes with a victory margin of 1314 votes against SKM heavyweight Kunga Nima Lepcha (5319 votes). Lamtha joined SDF before election on being denied SKM ticket from the constituency.
Meanwhile, Indian football legend Bhaichung Bhutia lost in Barfung constituency on an SDF ticket. Bhutia’s bad luck in politics continues as he lost by a margin of 4346 votes securing only 4012 votes. He lost to political novice Rikshal Dorjee Bhutia (8358 votes) of SKM party.
Apart from Lamtha, SDF’s best performing candidates include MK Subba from Rangang Yangang constituency securing 5313 votes losing by a margin of 1201. While, Mechung Bhutia from Martam Rumtek secured 5308 yet losing by a margin of 2762. Both Subba and Bhutia lost to two defected BJP legislators Raj Kumari Thapa and Sonam Venchungpa who joined SKM before elections. Venchungpa secured 8070 votes in Martam Rumtek, while Thapa secured 6514 votes in Rangang Yangang constituency.
The third BJP legislator to defect to SKM, Pintso Namgyal Lepcha from Dzongu constituency won with a margin of 5007 votes as opposed to SDF’s former legislator Sonam Gyatso Lepcha securing only 1395 votes.
The highest vote generated by BJP is in Upper Burtuk constituency by State BJP President Dilli Ram Thapa who secured 3755 votes. Incumbent MLA Thapa lost to SKM’s Kala Rai in the constituency by a margin of 2568 votes.
The next best performance by a BJP leader is by incumbent MLA NK Subba who secured 1924 votes in Maneybong Dentam constituency. He lost to SKM’s Sudesh Kumar Subba by a margin of 6629 votes, despite being a former 2 time MLA from the constituency.
While, popular Bhutia community leader Tseten Tashi Bhutia secured 1054 votes for the non territorial religious constituency of Sangha. He lost to SKM’s incumbent Sangha MLA Sonam Lama by a margin of 865 votes. BJP failed to field a candidate in the border sensitive Lachen Mangan constituency in North Sikkim.
Meanwhile Indian National Congress secured 1228 votes in 12 constituencies, a vote count that is lower than the NOTA tally of 3810.
Newly formed Citizen Action Party also had a dismal performance in their electoral debut securing only 23,351 votes in the entire state. They had contested in 30 constituencies except Kabi Lungchok and Lachen Mangan constituencies in North Sikkim.
CAP’s Chief Ministerial candidate Ganesh Rai contesting from two constituencies could secure only 4698 votes. He secured 3621 votes in his home constituency Melli and 1077 votes in Chujachen constituency, losing by margins of 4283 and 7122 votes respectively in two constituencies. Both were won by SKM party.
Independent candidates in the State accounted for 6399 in 7 constituencies with one candidate Khushendra Sharma alone securing 4649 votes from Gyalshing Bernyak constituency. Khushendra was denied an SKM ticket leading to his open rebellion against incumbent MLA Lok Nath Sharma. He lost to the legislator by a margin of 963 votes.