The Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) held a press conference today where party leaders stressed active democratic participation, confirmed their alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and announced new party spokespersons, including senior leader Kala Rai. The briefing was led by Political Secretary to the Chief Minister Jacob Khaling Rai and party spokesperson Bikash Basnet.
Jacob Khaling opened by underscoring the centrality of elections in a democracy, saying that elections allow people to choose representatives and “express their opinion and support the candidates they believe in. This is how governments are formed.” He reiterated that SKM has consistently contested elections at all levels-urban local bodies, gram panchayats, assembly polls and parliamentary elections-whether in power or in opposition.
Rai recalled the party’s electoral efforts in 2012 and 2015, noting SKM candidates contested independently before formal party formation and ran in constituencies such as Gangtok, Singtam, Nayabazar and Jorethang while still opposing the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front. He said the party also contested panchayat elections in 2017 under its symbol and credited the leadership of party president and Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang for statewide successes.
On the current Urban Local Body elections, Khaling said many SKM candidates were elected unopposed and congratulated the new councillors. He thanked the Chief Minister, MLAs, ministers, MPs, party workers, the youth and women’s wings, the media, the Election Commission of India, district officials and the police for facilitating a smooth process. He also criticized some parties that did not contest, accusing them of making excuses and trying to mislead voters: “If they have strength, they should come forward and contest elections.”
Addressing alliance politics, Khaling stated plainly that SKM and the BJP are “working together” and described the partnership as an open and clear alliance at both state and central levels, with nothing hidden between partners.
Bikash Basnet announced the appointment of Kala Rai as one of the party’s spokespersons, framing the decision as part of SKM’s focus on women’s empowerment under Chief Minister Tamang. Basnet noted Kala Rai is a founding member who has been associated with the movement since 2009, has served as General Secretary, and has worked across party roles. He added that Kala Rai was re-nominated to the Lohar Municipal Council and elected unopposed, a sign of public trust.
Speaking to the media after her appointment, Kala Rai thanked the party for the trust, recounted beginning her political journey as an independent candidate at 21, and said the party gave her a ticket in 2024 that led to her becoming an MLA. She pledged to continue working with “full dedication and honesty” and to advance the party’s development and public-welfare agenda.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/sikkim/story/sikkim-krantikari-morcha-names-kala-rai-as-spokesperson-reaffirms-alliance-with-bjp-1370455-2026-04-04?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2026-04-04 18:16:00
