Sikkim Chief Minister PS Golay Sworn in as Poklok-Kamrang MLA

Gangtok, November 4, 2019:

Sikkim Chief Minister and Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) supremo PS Golay on Monday was sworn in as an elected member of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly.

After taking oath, Golay thanked the people for giving his party a mandate, and assured that he will deliver on his promises soon.

Golay was recently elected as an MLA from the Poklok-Kamrang constituency in the bye-election held on October 21.

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It may be mentioned here that Golay is a five-time MLA from the erstwhile-rulers Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF), before he resigned from the party to start the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM).

He could not contest the elections earlier this April as that would mean falling foul of Section 8 of the Representation of People’s Act, 1951 as he had served a one-year jail term in a corruption case.

The Act, however, did not keep the state governor from swearing in Golay as the chief minister after he was elected leader of the SKM legislative party.

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On September last, the Election Commission of India (ECI), responding to a plea made by Golay in July seeking exemption from Section 8 of the Act under its discretionary powers so that he could contest the polls, ruled in his favour.

Apart from PS Golay, two other newly elected MLAs Martam-Rumtek MLA Sonam Venchungpa and Gangtok MLA Y.T. Lepcha, were also sworn-in on Monday.

This election was crucial for Golay, as it was necessary for him to win an election within 6 months of being sworn in as Chief Minister, if he was to retain his post.

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