SDF set to win
The ruling SDF is all set to retain power for the third successive term with trends indicating a victory for it in the assembly elections.
The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) is all set to retain power for the third successive term with trends indicating a victory for it in the assembly elections.
The SDF had either won or was leading in 29 of the total 32 seats. The front had been declared elected on four seats, as there were no other contestants.
The main opposition Congress is yet to open its account. In the last assembly elections, it had just one member.
Counting is also on for the lone parliamentary seat in Sikkim with latest reports indicating a slender lead for the Congress candidate.
"The trends and results indicate a victory for the good governance and the all round development work undertaken by our government in the last 10-years," Sikkim chief minister Pawan Kumar Chamling told IANS by telephone from capital Gangtok.
Victory processions were already out in the state with SDF supporters taking to the streets and bursting crackers and beating drums and cymbals.
"The massive leads available so far do call for celebrations and we are thankful to the people for giving us another opportunity to rule the state," the chief minister said.
The state witnessed a polarization on ethnic lines ahead of the general election, but this does not seems to have impacted the voters.
"We accept the verdict of the people and shall have to do some serious introspection to put the party back on the rails," former chief minister and state Congress president Nar Bahadur Bhandari said.