Prem Singh Tamang scripts historic victory in Sikkim; former 5 time CM Chamling loses both seats

Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang to continue helming the state administration of Sikkim as his party Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) scripted a landslide victory by winning 31 of the 32 assembly seats, leaving Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF), which had governed the state for five straight terms till 2019, with just one seat. Tamang (56) fought from two seats and won both, unlike former five-time chief minister Pawan Chamling who too had fought from two seats and lost in both. SKM has taken their vote share to all time high at 58.38%.

Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) fought in 31 seats and did not win a single. BJP and SKM were in alliance but due to failed seat-sharing talks, both decided to fight solo. Congress, the other national party has drawn a blank. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Tamang highlighting his eagerness to collaborate with SKM for the progress of the state. “ I look forward to working with the state government to further the progress of Sikkim in coming times” PM Modi posted on ‘X’.

The post had seen response coming from the Chief Minister who thanked the Prime Minister and assured his commitment to “continuing efforts towards the development and prosperity of Sikkim”. Soon after the historic win, Tamang reached the Paljor stadium to address his followers where he congratulated his party and people for the victory. “ Our Sikkimese community has transcended past negativities and divisive ideologies. I also want to thank SDF as it is because of them that our party has become more stronger and organized”, said Tamang.

Former Chief Minister Chamling, who has been in power for 25 years, will not even be in the assembly this time. He lost to SKM’s Raju Basnet by 2,256 votes from the Namchebung Assembly Constituency. Chamling, an eight-time MLA, also lost Poklok Kamrang seat to SKM’s Bhoj Raj Rai by 3,063 votes.

Ace footballer and vice president of SDF, Baichung Bhutia lost the Barfung assembly constituency to SKM’s Rikshal Dorjee Bhutia by more than 4,000 votes. SKM fought in all 32 seats and won 31, securing a strike rate of 96.9%. SKM’s vote share in 2019 was 47%, which in 2024 has gone up to 58.4%, leaving SDF with a 27.4% vote share.