Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) party spokesperson KT Gyaltsen on Wednesday stated that as per the law a person convicted under the Prevention of Corruption Act and sentenced to imprisonment would be disqualified from the date of conviction and would continue to be disqualified for a further period of six years from the date of release.
Gyaltsen said this while referring to SKM president PS Golay, who is presently serving one-year imprisonment here at Rongneck Jail.
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Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, Gyaltsen stressed that it was important to take the fact to the people based on the law. He explained the Section 8 of the Representation of People’s Act which deals with disqualification on conviction for certain offences. He stated that laws related to the conviction under the Prevention of Corruption Act clearly mentions that the person convicted under the Prevention of Corruption Act and sentenced to imprisonment shall be disqualified from the date of conviction and shall continue to be disqualified for a further period of six years from the date of release.
He questioned that as nobody was above the law and the Constitution, then how a convicted person could contest the upcoming election. He added that it was just ideological war and there was nothing personal but it was important for the party to take the fact to the people based on the law.
Gyaltsen has strongly criticised and condemned the recent press statement of TN Dhakal of SKM party on the issue of tribal status to eleven left-out communities of Sikkim. He stated that Dhakal has misrepresented all facts by presented the totally incorrect and fabricated facts in his press statement.
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He mentioned that the SDF-ruled Government has been working tirelessly and consistently on the tribal status to all left-out communities of Sikkim. He added that the State Government has been pursuing this issue in the Centre scientifically based on the correct facts and as per the law. He reiterated that oppositions need to understand that this was purely the Centre subject and the State was very hopeful that the Centre will fulfil this demand very soon.
Gyaltsen suggested the SKM party not to present distort facts to mislead the people but should follow this matter scientifically and lawfully. He asserted that opposition should not politicise the sensitive issues of the State just to get some political mileage and to mislead the people.
On the private member’s resolution placed by SKM MLA, Kunga Nima Lepcha in the recent Sikkim Legislative Assembly session, Gyaltsen stressed that the resolution was a big conspiracy and intended to dilute the Article 371F and to bring division among the people of Sikkim. He also questioned on the motive of the resolution to interfere in the Revenue Order No 1. He further added that it was an attack on the Old Laws of Sikkim and intended to dilute the Article 371F.
Gyaltsen stated that this law has protected the people of Sikkim from being landless so far. He further questioned on intend of the resolution to interfere in the Revenue Order No 1 when the protection can be given to Sherpa community without touching this law.
He mentioned that Chief Minister Pawan Chamling has proved his statesmanship and leadership by passing a strong bill for the protection of the land of Sherpa community without disturbing the Revenue Order No 1 and by protected their land with same spirit of the Revenue Order No 1. He added that this also show the strong commitment of SDF government for the protection of every community of Sikkim.
Gyaltsen also stated that the SKM party should not mislead the people but should always take the correct fact to them. He further urged the SKM party to seriously study law and facts to take the right information to the people.