150 candidates in fray for 32 Assembly seats in Sikkim

Altogether 150 candidates are in fray for 32 Assembly seats in Sikkim after three nominees withdrew their candidature on Thursday, the last date for withdrawal, Election officials said.

There are 11 candidates in the fray for the lone Lok Sabha seat from Sikkim. Election to both the Lok Sabha seat and Assembly constituencies will be held simultaneously on April 11, they said.

Two candidates Ratan Singh Rai (Sikkim Republican Party) and Nirmal Kumar Pradhan (Independent) withdrew their names from Namchi-Singhithang assembly constituency, while another candidate Dal Bahadur Karki (Congress) took back his candidature from Gylashing -Barnyak assembly seat, officials said.

At the end of the withdrawal process, a total of 150 candidates are in fray on 32 Assembly seats.

Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling, HSP working president Bhaichung Bhutia and Chamling"s younger brother Rup Narayan Chamling are among prominent candidates in fray in the assembly polls.

Chamling, the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) president is contesting from two assembly seats - Poklok-Kamrang and Namchi Singhithang in his native South Sikkim, Bhutia, legendary footballer, is also trying his luck from two assembly constituencies - Gangtok (BL) and Tumen Lingi (B-L) seats in East and South Sikkim respectively.

The 11 candidates in the fray for the lone Lok Sabha seat in Sikkim are Dhiraj Kumar Rai (SRP), D B Katwal (SDF), Mahendra Thapa (Independent) Biraj Adhikari (HSP), Bharat Basnett (INC), Passang Gyali Sherpa (Independent), Sun Maya Gurung, (Independent), Rabin Rai (All Indians Party), Laten Tshering Sherpa (BJP),  Indra Hang Subba (SKM) and Narendra Adhikari of SUF (Sikkim United Front).