Amid a significant wave of defections shaking the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF), former Chief Minister and party president Pawan Kumar Chamling has called for unity among party members. Speaking on Saturday, February 7, at a coordination committee meeting in Namchi, he emphasized the need for solidarity as the party confronts one of its most challenging periods.
Chamling urged SDF cadres to unite in the face of difficult political circumstances, stressing that collective determination and discipline are essential. He underscored the necessity for grassroots cohesion, claiming that only through unity can the SDF endure its current setbacks and rebuild its strength.
In a pointed criticism of recent party defectors, Chamling described them as “opportunists” who succumbed to inducements during a time when the SDF has struggled electorally since experiencing multiple defeats in state Assembly elections since 2019. He noted that political adversity often reveals individuals’ true commitment to a party’s ideology.
Despite the exodus of prominent leaders, including two-term Rajya Sabha MP Hishey Lachungpa and various former ministers who have shifted allegiance to the ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) led by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, Chamling expressed confidence that the SDF would navigate through these turbulent times. He reiterated his faith in the party’s grassroots connections and its commitment to serving the people of Sikkim.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/sikkim/story/difficult-times-demand-unity-former-sikkim-cm-rallies-sdf-cadres-in-namchi-accuses-defectors-of-opportunism-1342828-2026-02-07?utm_source=rssfeed
Category:
Tags:
Publish Date: 2026-02-07 22:13:00
