Sikkim to witness BJP-SKM alliance ahead of by-polls in October

In recent developments, the BJP has tied up with the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) ahead of the Sikkim by-polls. The by-polls are supposed to take place on October 21. Addressing a joint press conference on Saturday, Nitin Navin, BJP's Sikkim in-charge announced that the two parties have decided to come together to boost development in the State. The saffron party is all set to contest the elections from Gangtok and Martak-Rumtek Assembly seats. These Assembly seats are usually reserved for Bhutia and Lepcha communities. The ruling party SKM will field its candidates from Poklok-Kamrang seat. 

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'This is new beginning of a long-term relationship. The BJP and SKM have worked out a seat-sharing formula for the upcoming bypolls to three Assembly seats.' Mr Navin said in a statement. 

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The alliance between BJP and SKM

The BJP who has been trying to get power in the state received a major boost last year. 10 Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) MLAs had joined the BJP giving it the added augmentation that it needed. Earlier, SKM spokesperson Jacob Khaling Rai had spoken of the alliance. He stated that the State had certain issues that can only be resolved with the help of the Centre. 

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Other demands

The State has been asking for reservation of the Limboo and Tamang communities for a while now. It has been demanding for the reservation and tribal status for 11 'left-out' communities. Jacob Khaling Rai speaking about the alliance stated that 'we are confident that the two governments, one at the Centre and other in the state, will work together to fulfil the pending demands of people'. Further speaking about Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, he stated that the party's parliamentary board will announce a decision soon about the CM's plans of contesting the by-polls. The CM has been touted to contest the by-polls from the Polok-Kamrang seat. 

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(With PTI inputs)