1. The BJP in Sikkim has chosen Dorjee Tshering Lepcha as its candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha seat.
2. Lepcha, a prominent political figure, has previously served in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly from 2014 to 2019.
3. His transition to the BJP marked a significant political shift, strengthening the party’s presence in Sikkim.
Gangtok, Jan 07: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Sikkim has officially announced Dorjee Tshering Lepcha as its candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha seat from the state.
Dorjee Tshering Lepcha, a significant political figure in Sikkim, has a notable political career, having been elected to the Sikkim Legislative Assembly in both 2014 and 2019, representing the Gnathang Machong constituency.
Initially associated with the Sikkim Democratic Front, Lepcha later made a strategic move to join the BJP.
During his tenure with the Sikkim Democratic Front, Lepcha served as the Minister of Sikkim Public Works (Buildings & Housing) and Transport in Pawan Chamling’s fifth ministry from 2014 to 2019.
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His transition to the BJP was part of a larger political shift when ten Sikkim Democratic Front MLAs joined the BJP, transforming it into the main opposition party in Sikkim despite not winning a single seat in the elections.
This move significantly strengthened the BJP’s position in the state’s political landscape.
Dorjee Tshering Lepcha’s nomination as the Rajya Sabha candidate is noteworthy, given that Sikkim elects only one seat to the Rajya Sabha, indirectly chosen by the state legislators.
The current term of the Rajya Sabha member from Sikkim is expected to conclude in May 2024, aligning with the tenure of Indra Hang Subba, the current Member of Parliament representing the Lok Sabha constituency of Sikkim since 2019.
The BJP’s selection of Lepcha as their Rajya Sabha nominee reflects the party’s strategic approach to consolidating its presence in Sikkim and navigating the evolving political dynamics within the state.
