Thousands of Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) supporters who had gathered
at the Palzor Stadium today to “witness a victory”, returned home
disappointed, and almost empty handed.
On the other hand, supporters of the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) celebrated at the Guards Ground here with the party winning the Assembly elections for the fifth straight term, setting new records.
“Though disappointed, we will form a strong opposition in the assembly, but the results have been unbelievable and unsatisfactory,” one of the SKM supporters said.
Another supporter from Sichey, a driver by profession, said: “Even though it was the peak tourist season, I ran after the candidate as I was sure of a victory, but now we will have to do with the same old scenario that is there for the past 20
years.” He added that the state was in dire need of a change.
The ‘wave’ that the SKM had created in the last few days of the election campaign in Sikkim had instilled in the minds of the people very high hopes for a change.
Meanwhile, in sharp contrast to the SKM camp, joy was writ large on the faces of jubilant SDF supporters.
“We always knew we would win again,” a man at the Guards Ground said. “The SKM had no chance of winning, because the party’s leader himself has been rejected from our party because of his deeds. He could not be loyal to his leader who gave him everything, so how can people have faith in him?” he added.
A man working in the State Department on a contract basis had his own reason to rejoice in SDF’s victory. Suresh Rai, 26, said he and the many others like him have been told in their workplaces that their jobs will be permanent once the SDF retains power.
If Rai rejoiced for such a hope, an SKM supporter, John Tamang, sulked for a hope which he said has died with the SKM’s defeat.
“I work in a private firm, but I was assured of an SKM victory, which could have been a ticket for a government job for me. But we have to keep our hopes alive as we will come back in 2019,” he said.
The SKM had managed to get the backing of a vast majority of the young people.
Many of them studying outside the state or working in the private sector had headed back home with high hopes of a ‘change’ and the SKM making it
big.
Although Pawan Chamling is all set to rule Sikkim for yet another five years, SKM president PS Golay has accepted the verdict, and urged its workers to stay loyal to the party and work for the party rather than being disheartened.
He also congratulated the SDF and its president Mr Chamling on winning the Sikkim Assembly
elections.
“The results are very clear. The SKM appeals to all to respect the mandate and maintain peace in the state,” he said in a press release.(SNS)
On the other hand, supporters of the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) celebrated at the Guards Ground here with the party winning the Assembly elections for the fifth straight term, setting new records.
“Though disappointed, we will form a strong opposition in the assembly, but the results have been unbelievable and unsatisfactory,” one of the SKM supporters said.
Another supporter from Sichey, a driver by profession, said: “Even though it was the peak tourist season, I ran after the candidate as I was sure of a victory, but now we will have to do with the same old scenario that is there for the past 20
years.” He added that the state was in dire need of a change.
The ‘wave’ that the SKM had created in the last few days of the election campaign in Sikkim had instilled in the minds of the people very high hopes for a change.
Meanwhile, in sharp contrast to the SKM camp, joy was writ large on the faces of jubilant SDF supporters.
“We always knew we would win again,” a man at the Guards Ground said. “The SKM had no chance of winning, because the party’s leader himself has been rejected from our party because of his deeds. He could not be loyal to his leader who gave him everything, so how can people have faith in him?” he added.
A man working in the State Department on a contract basis had his own reason to rejoice in SDF’s victory. Suresh Rai, 26, said he and the many others like him have been told in their workplaces that their jobs will be permanent once the SDF retains power.
If Rai rejoiced for such a hope, an SKM supporter, John Tamang, sulked for a hope which he said has died with the SKM’s defeat.
“I work in a private firm, but I was assured of an SKM victory, which could have been a ticket for a government job for me. But we have to keep our hopes alive as we will come back in 2019,” he said.
The SKM had managed to get the backing of a vast majority of the young people.
Many of them studying outside the state or working in the private sector had headed back home with high hopes of a ‘change’ and the SKM making it
big.
Although Pawan Chamling is all set to rule Sikkim for yet another five years, SKM president PS Golay has accepted the verdict, and urged its workers to stay loyal to the party and work for the party rather than being disheartened.
He also congratulated the SDF and its president Mr Chamling on winning the Sikkim Assembly
elections.
“The results are very clear. The SKM appeals to all to respect the mandate and maintain peace in the state,” he said in a press release.(SNS)