The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is making concerted efforts to establish a foothold in Sikkim, leveraging the themes of nationalism and welfare initiatives in the Himalayan state.
Sikkim, largely governed by regional parties since its integration with India five decades ago, has become a focal point for the saffron party's expansion strategy.
Following the breakdown of alliance talks with the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) led by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, the BJP opted to contest the upcoming Sikkim Assembly elections independently.
This decision stemmed from the SKM's reluctance to concede to the BJP's demand for a significant share of seats.
In the outgoing Sikkim Assembly, the BJP held 12 seats, primarily due to defections from the opposition Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF). However, recent developments have seen five of these MLAs abandon the BJP, with three joining the SKM.
Consequently, the BJP is fielding candidates in 30 Assembly constituencies and the lone Lok Sabha seat in Sikkim.
Elections for the 32-member Sikkim Assembly and the lone Lok Sabha seat are scheduled for April 19, setting the stage for a keenly contested electoral battle.
D R Thapa, the BJP's Sikkim unit president, remains optimistic about the party's prospects, banking on the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the aspiration of Sikkim's populace to integrate with the national mainstream.
BJP Sikkim unit president D R Thapa, who was elected on SDF ticket from Upper Burtuk assembly constituency in 2019 and was the architect of defection of 10 MLAs from his erstwhile party to the BJP, is confident that the people of Sikkim will repose trust in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and elect the saffron party in the state in line with their aspiration to join national mainstream and reap the fruits of development and welfare measures.
"The people of Sikkim want to establish an emotional connection with the rest of India by being a partner in the ongoing development process underway at the national level under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership," Thapa said at party meetings.
"Sikkim is a strategically important state which must have a strong government to protect the rights of the people and usher in a seamless development aligned with national aspirations," he said.
The BJP state unit president has been very critical of the SKM government charging it with corruption, misrule and financial mismanagement, besides abetting violence against political adversaries.
The SKM has been restrained in taking on the local BJP despite the latter making serious charges against it apparently to keep ajar the door for post-poll alliance.
However, Kala Rai, the SKM candidate from Upper Burtuk against Thapa, made a scathing attack on the BJP saying: "the lotus does not bloom in hills" apparently hinting at BJP's defeat in the elections in Sikkim.
Opposition parties, particularly the Sikkim Democratic Front and the Citizen Action Party (CAP), have mounted scathing attacks on the BJP, cautioning against dilution of Sikkim's special status and traditional laws under Article 371 (F) of the Constitution if the BJP assumes power.
Tensions have escalated over the BJP's expansion efforts, particularly concerning the definition of 'Sikkimese' people and its potential impact on indigenous rights.
The BJP defends its actions, asserting that changes were aimed at granting income tax exemptions to descendants of old settlers.
The BJP's electoral history in Sikkim has been chequered, marked by initial setbacks and marginal performances in past polls.
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