In a major relief for Sikkim chief minister Prem Singh Taman (Golay), more popularly known as P S Golay, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has allowed the minister to contest the state elections. The announcement came a day before the deadline for filing nomination.
Tamang, who was sworn-in on May 28, needs to get elected within six months of assuming office. In order to continue as the chief minister of Sikkim, Golay has to become a member of Sikkim Assembly within the stipulated time.
The last date for filing the nomination for the Poklok Kamrang seat is Sept 30. Golay is expected to fight from this seat as per SKM’s alliance with BJP.
The Sikkim Krantikari Morcha Party supremo became the Chief Minister on May 19 last. The party contested the last assembly elections portraying him as chief ministerial candidate.
Tamang had served a year jail sentence from 2017 to 2018 in a corruption case after being pronounced guilty in a cow distribution case.
Under the Representation of People’s Act, 1951, a convicted person cannot contest elections for a period of six years.
Responding to Tamang’s appeal, the ECI on Sunday reduced the disqualification to one year and one month. This period has elapsed since Tamang completed his sentence on August 10, 2018.
Responding to the ECI’s decision, Tamang said, “I have full faith in God and the law of the country.”
BJP plans to contest two seats and Tamang will contest from the one allotted to his party. Without the ECI’s order, Tamang would have had to resign.
The decision of the ECI invited criticisms from several quarters.