The Bharatiya Janata Party’s Central Election Committee unveiled the third list of nine candidates for the Sikkim Assembly elections on Tuesday.
Bharat Kumar Sharma is nominated for the Gyalshing-Bamyak constituency, Janak Kumar for Gurung, and Bhupendra Giri for Temi-Namphing. Gopi Das Pokhrel will contest from Rangang-Yangang, Chetan Sapkota from Khamdong-Singtam, and Prem Chettri Khatiwara from Rhenock.
Duknath Nepal will be contesting from the Chujachen constituency, Pooja Sharma from Namcheybong, and Penzong Lepcha has also been nominated from Dzongu.
Previously, the BJP unveiled its second list of nine candidates for the upcoming Sikkim Legislative Assembly Elections on Tuesday.
The Sikkim Legislative Assembly comprises 32 seats, along with one Lok Sabha constituency.
The announcement of the list followed a meeting of the party’s Central Election Committee.
The party has nominated Bhim Kumar Sharma for the Gyalshing-Barnyak constituency, Aruna Manger for Namchi-Singhithan, and Yogen Rai for Melli.
Phurba Rinzing Sherpa will run for the Tumin-Lingee seat, Bhupal Baraily for West-Pendam, Pempo Tshering Lepcha for Shyari, Chewang Dadul Bhutia for Martam-Rumtek, Niren Bhandari for Upper Tandong, and Pema Wangyal Rinzing for Gangtok. The list was unveiled by the National Secretary, Arun Singh.
In its initial list unveiled on Sunday, the party declared the names of 14 candidates.
Out of the 14 candidates for the 2024 assembly elections, the BJP has maintained the candidacy of two incumbent legislators.
Sikkim BJP President DR Thapa, who currently represents the Upper Burtuk constituency, switched from the Sikkim Democratic Front party and has secured the ticket for his home constituency. Likewise, MLA Narendra Kumar Subba, who joined the BJP in 2019 alongside Thapa, has maintained his candidacy for the Maneybong Dentam constituency.
Among the other notable candidates announced, former legislator Tseten Tashi Bhutia has been nominated for the prestigious Sangha seat, a non-territorial constituency dedicated to religious propagation in the state. Bhutia has been a prominent advocate for preserving Sikkim’s traditional laws under Article 371F of the Indian Constitution.
Tseten Tashi has also played a role in uniting the Bhutia and Lepcha communities of the state, serving as the convener of the Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC).
Other BJP candidates include Kinjong Sherap Bhutia for the Yuksam Tashiding constituency, Sanchaman Limboo for Yangthang, Sancho Lepcha for Rinchenpong, Phurba Dorjee Sherpa for Daramdin, Purna Singh Subba for Soreng Chakung, Pahalman Kami for Zoom Salghari, Tashi Dadul Bhutia for Barfung, Arjun Rai for Poklok Kamrang, Sangey Gyatso Bhutia for Gnathang Machong, Udai Gurung for Arithang, and Ugen Nedup Bhutia for the Kabi Lungchok constituency.
The Lok Sabha and state assembly elections in the northeastern state are scheduled to be held concurrently on April 19.
In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Prem Das Rai of the Sikkim Democratic Front emerged victorious. In 2019, Indra Hang Subba of the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) secured the sole Lok Sabha seat in Sikkim.