Sikkim Democratic Front's (SDF) only MLA Tenzing Norbu Lamtha joined the ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) on Wednesday leaving the state 'Opposition less'. The assembly elections were held in Sikkim, where Sikkim Krantikari Morcha and Bharatiya Janata Party contested separately, but SKM is part of the BJP-led NDA at the Center. In this way, the only opposition leader in Sikkim has joined the NDA alliance.
CM gave information in Facebook post
Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang in a 'Facebook' post said, 'I am very happy to meet Tenzing Norbu Lamtha, MLA of 23-Syari Assembly seat at my official residence today. He has officially joined our SKM family.' Tamang acknowledged that Lamtha had raised concerns related to the interests of his constituency. He said that the problems of this constituency will now be solved as part of a comprehensive development plan.
Lamtha had defeated education minister
Lamtha was the only SDF leader to win in the recently concluded assembly elections. He defeated SKM senior leader and Education Minister Kunga Nima Lepcha by a margin of 1,314 votes. He was not available for comment on his decision to join SKM. There was speculation about his joining SKM since the election results were announced on June 2. When asked about his future plans, Lamtha had said, 'I will take further steps after consulting the public.'
At present 2 seats are vacant in assembly
The SKM had won 31 seats in the assembly elections, while the opposition SDF got just one seat. Currently, the assembly has 30 out of 32 members, all of whom are members of the SKM. Two seats are vacant after the resignation of Chief Minister Tamang from the Soreng-Chakung assembly seat and his wife Krishna Kumari Rai from the Namchi-Singhithang seat. Tamang, who was elected from 2 constituencies, retained the Rhenock seat and resigned from the Soreng-Chakung assembly seat. In this way, Sikkim is completely opposition-free at the moment.
