SDF demands President’s Rule in Sikkim amidst assault on ex-assembly speaker

GANGTOK: Following the vicious assault on former Sikkim assembly speaker KN Rai, a 15-member high-level delegation of the opposition Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF), led by party chief Pawan Chamling, met Sikkim governor Lakshman Acharya on Wednesday (March 06), advocating for the imposition of President’s Rule in the state.

The delegation submitted a memorandum to the Sikkim governor, pressing for swift action to identify and apprehend the mastermind behind the attack on KN Rai.

Additionally, they called for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take over the investigation, citing concerns about the competency of the Sikkim police.

The memorandum further urged the Sikkim governor to exercise his authority under Article 371 of the Indian Constitution to dismiss the present government and implement President’s Rule in Sikkim until the completion of state elections.

The SDF accused SKM spokesperson cum political secretary to the chief minister, Jacob Khaling, of orchestrating the assault.

No arrests have been made thus far, prompting the SDF to seek the governor's personal and political intervention in the matter.

Moreover, the SDF demanded the immediate resignation of CM Prem Singh Tamang, asserting that the SKM government has forfeited any moral legitimacy to remain in power.

The call for President’s Rule in Sikkim following the outbreak of violence has also been echoed by the Citizen Action Party (CAP) and BJP.