SG Lepcha nominated pro-tem Speaker, to be sworn in Friday

GANGTOK, 22 May: The Cabinet has reportedly approved the name of Sonam Gyatso Lepcha, the SDF MLA from Dzongu, as the Pro-tem Speaker of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly. He is scheduled to be administered the oath of secrecy and office by Governor Shriniwas Patil on Friday at 10:30 am at Raj Bhawan.

Mr. Lepcha is a fourth term MLA and was Minister in the previous Cabinet [2009-14]. In the recently held elections, he defeated his nearest rival Dawa T Lepcha of Sikkim Krantikari Morcha party to represent Dzongu in the Assembly. He has been winning from this constituency since 1999.

Mr. Lepcha’s name was unanimously approved by the Cabinet on Wednesday afternoon to complete the formalities to elect the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. Meanwhile, there is a strong buzz that Poklok-Kamrang MLA, KN Rai, will be proposed as Speaker. That process is expected to be completed on Monday.

As the pro-tem Speaker, Mr Lepcha is expected to administer the oath of office to other elected members of the ninth Sikkim Legislative Assembly on Monday on the first sitting of the new Legislative Assembly.

When the Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies have been elected, but the vote for the speaker and deputy speaker has not taken place, a pro-tem speaker is chosen.