Gangtok, October 28 : The Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) issued a press release today stating that their candidates for the upcoming by-elections in Soreng-Chakung and Namchi-Singithang, scheduled for November 13, are currently untraceable. According to the party, candidates Prem Bahadur Bhandari for 07-Soreng-Chakung and Daniel Rai for 11-Namchi-Singhithang constituency, who were present up until the scrutiny process, have since gone out of contact.
In response, SDF highlighted remarks made by SKM leader and Sikkim government minister NB Dahal during an interview with a regional news channel, in which Dahal suggested that the SDF candidates are with them. SDF claims this statement indicates that their missing candidates are under SKM’s influence. The SDF party has also raised this issue with the Election Commission of India, seeking their attention on the matter.