The ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have announced an alliance for the upcoming by-election for three seats in the State.
SKM party will contest the election from Poklok-Kamrang constituency in South Sikkim, while BJP will field its candidates from Gangtok and Martam-Rumtek constituencies in East Sikkim.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
However, both parties are likely to announce their candidates on Sunday and Monday is the last date for filing the nominations for upcoming by-election.
Addressing a press conference in Gangtok on Saturday, SKM spokesperson Jacob Khaling mentioned that the decision has been taken after the meeting of Cabinet ministers and advisors of the party and SKM party parliamentary board.
He mentioned that the party has taken this decision in the interest of Sikkim and its people.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
He mentioned that SKM party has placed five demands as an understanding for the alliance and BJP has also agreed on the same.
Five demands of SKM party are immediate seat reservations for Limboo and Tamang in the State Assembly, tribal status to left out communities of Sikkim, Karmapa to Sikkim, IT exemption to every Sikkimese and to keep the Article 371F untouched.
Likewise, BJP Sikkim in-charge, Nitin Nabin mentioned it was a new era for Sikkim as the party in the Centre and the one in State have came together to work for Sikkim and its people.
He said there will be double engine government for Sikkim.
He thanked the parliamentary board of SKM party for taking the decision in the interest of Sikkim.
He assured that BJP would always safeguard the Article 371F.