Golay supporters gear up for Rolu Picnic anniversary

GANGTOK, 19 Dec: Dissident SDF MLA from Upper Burtuk, PS Tamang [Golay] will once again be observing the anniversary of the Rolu picnic of 2009 at the same venue on 21 December, Friday. The Rolu Picnic, hosted by the MLA and his close aides shortly after the Assembly elections that year saw Mr. Tamang go public with his dissidence against his party and government and the political colour of the picnic attracted disciplinary action against government servants suspected of having attended the ‘picnic’.
While many would have expected Mr. Tamang to announce his political party on the Rolu anniversary, especially since many of his close aides have been announcing that the party will be unveiled before the year ends, sources state that this is unlikely.
While this will not be the time for the declaration of the new political party, it is expected that some political statements and announcements will be made by the dissident faction led by Mr. Tamang.
Sources meanwhile inform that a new party, supposedly the one to be floated by the ‘Golay camp’, was recently registered at the Election Commission of India, New Delhi, but not in the name of Mr. Tamang thus leaving the option open for him to continue as a dissident SDF MLA and quit at a later date.
There is also the question of the party symbol which is the prerogative of the ECI. The desired symbol sources inform was the candle.
On the other hand while the declaration of the new party is not expected this 21 December at Rolu, there may be some hints at its constitution or even the manifesto, which, as sources inform, have already been prepared and kept ready. It will be interesting to see whether any government employees attend the picnic this time.