Sikkim-TMC to contest 2014 elections

GANGTOK, 11 Feb: The Sikkim Pradesh Trinamool Congress has announced plans to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in the State. Making this announcement today, the party also said that it plans to field a woman candidate in the Lok Sabha election and is on the lookout for a suitable candidate.

The announcements were made by the SPTMC general secretary, Tshering Wangchuk Lepcha during a press conference held today at the party’s office. Mr Lepcha informed that AITMC general secretary, Mukul Roy, in consultation with the party chief, Mamta Banerjee, has given the green signal to SPTMC president, PT Lucksom to contest Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in the state.

He informed that this was decided during the central executive meeting ‘March to Brigade’ organized by AITMC in Kolkata recently.

For the Lok Sabha election, the party is looking for a suitable woman candidate this year, informed Mr Lepcha. He also stated that the party is looking for fresh candidates to contest all 32 Assembly seats.

The state-unit has been asked to submit the list of candidates to the central body in March. The party is also scheduled to release the party manifesto by the end of March.

Informing that the SPTMC will be holding a public meeting in Singtam on 14 February, Mr Lepcha stated that the party workers are interacting with the public across the state and listening to their grievances. He informed that the membership drive of the party has also been going on.

“SPTMC will follow the ‘One CM for one term’ rule, since being ruled by one CM for 20 years is not good for the state”, said Mr Lepcha. He mentioned that the party would like to bring about positive change in the system from the top to bottom.

The press conference also introduced the new office bearers of the state-unit; Tika Ram Gurung as vice-president, Navraj Chettri as publicity secretary, PT Lepcha as secretary for West Pendam and MB Rai as secretary for Rinchenpong.