Gangtok, Mar 27: On Monday, when ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha party declared their candidates for 32 assembly constituencies, the selection of Krishna Kumari Rai from Namchi Singhithang, drew attention. Rai, a first timer in electoral politics, and is the wife of Chief Minister Prem Singh Golay.

Golay and SKM party dropped sitting legislator Aditya Golay, son of the CM as candidate from Soreng Chakung constituency. Aditya was elected as MLA in 2019. The move from SKM in 2019 to select Aditya Golay was on the pretext that Prem Singh Golay would not be allowed to contest the election after facing jail term of over a year. But he was acquitted in August 2018, months before the elections.

Golay went on to win the by elections in 2019 from Poklok Kamrang, the neighbouring constituency of his wife now, to become a legitimate legislator and CM of Sikkim.

For the past 5 years, CM Golay had maintained, “no further members of his family would be involved in active electoral politics”. However, the selection of his wife as a candidate has drawn some flak from the opposition and the public.

Answering to the “Parivaarbaad” allegations on Wednesday in Pakyong District Administrative Centre, he stated, “it is the decision of party and the public, that prompted me to select a family member as a party candidate.

He further stated, that , ” the tag of Parivaarbaad may come for sometime, but after the candidate wins people will know the reason why the candidate was selected”.

Golay, is contesting from two constituencies, he stated that “the decision to contest from two constituencies was of the parliamentary committee of SKM party as well as mine”.

SKM has been facing flak for the selction of different electoral candidates, witnessing many resignations from the party to ticket contenders joining other political parties.

He further stated that party tickets needs to be divided among all the communities of the State, that no community goes unrepresented in the Assembly. We need representation from experienced legislators as well as from fresh candidates, including women representation and the parliamentary committee takes the ultimate decision.

On consideration if any candidature would be rolled back, Golay denied a roll back, stating, “Once the party has decided we will not roll back the decision. If the SKM party comes to power, every party cadre is equivalent to a Minister or a legislator or even CM”.

Read: Biplab Kumar Deb files nomination for West Tripura seat

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