GANGTOK: Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) announced the names of five candidates for the upcoming 2024 Sikkim assembly elections, slated to be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls.
The announcement of the names of the candidates by the SDF came on the day when the party organized a protest rally in Gangtok over attack on former assembly speaker KN Rai.
Among the announced candidates are three former legislators: Norzang Lepcha for the Tumin Lingee constituency, Sonam Gyatso Lepcha for the Dzongu constituency, and former Rajya Sabha MP Hishey Lachungpa for the Lachen Mangan constituency.
Additionally, two new candidates were introduced: Gnawong Chopel Lepcha for the Kabi Lungchok constituency, and the controversial Ashis Rai for the Arithang constituency.
Notably, Ashish Rai’s inclusion marks a significant development as he was denied a ticket by the SDF in the 2019 Sikkim elections, leading to vandalism at the SDF party headquarters by his supporters.
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In 2019, Rai contested independently but was defeated by Arun Upreti of the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM).
Similarly, Hishey Lachungpa, who previously served as an MLA from the Lachen-Mangan constituency, transitioned to the role of Rajya Sabha MP during the SDF regime.
Recently, he was succeeded by his former cabinet colleague DT Lepcha, who was nominated by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and supported by the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM).
Norzang Lepcha, another announced candidate, also has a history of serving as an MLA for the SDF from the Tumin Lingee constituency.
The announcement of candidates was made by party supremo Pawan Kumar Chamling during a meeting preceding the protest rally held on Monday (March 11).