Sikkim: Over thousand voters join SDF to support Pawan Chamling ahead of Lok Sabha election

In a display of support for the opposition Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF), a multitude of retired officials and enthusiastic youth joined the party during a grand mass joining program held at the SDF party headquarters today. This influx of new members includes dozens of retired officers and hundreds of individuals from various constituencies, all rallying under the leadership of youth leader Ashish Rai.

With the assembly and parliamentary elections just eight months away, both the ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) party and the Sikkim Democratic Front are actively engaged in mass joining initiatives to bolster their ranks. Recently, the SKM party organized a massive joining program in Ravangla, attracting over 1300 new members.

The surge in SDF membership is not expected to wane anytime soon, as more prominent figures and political activists are poised to join the party by the 22nd of September, 2023. Notably, this date marks the birthday of SDF President Pawan Chamling. 

Among the prominent figures anticipated to join the SDF is football star Bhaichung Bhutia, whose decision to align with the party was announced earlier. 
On September 13, Bhaichung Bhutia, who had served as the working president of the Hamro Sikkim Party (HSP) since 2018, had also announced his intention to join the Sikkim Democratic Front, led by former Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling. This decision comes after a week-long speculation and discussions with party members.

Bhaichung Bhutia explained, "I am merging my Hamro Sikkim Party with SDF after careful consideration and discussions with other party leaders. While we initially supported the 'Parivartan' promised by Chief Minister Prem Singh Golay and Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) in 2019, we have witnessed that, over the past four years, the Parivartan has not lived up to expectations. The SKM party is now facing challenges with corrupt leaders and businessmen, which is why I have chosen to join the SDF."

Bhaichung Bhutia further stated the SDF had rid itself of corruption and had been a vocal advocate for the interests of Sikkim during its time in the opposition. He expressed his confidence in the party's commitment to safeguarding the state's identity and criticized the SKM's alignment with the central government on certain issues.