Citizen Action Party accuses SKM and SDF of accepting illegal electoral bonds

Digital desk: The Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) and the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) have been questioned by the Citizen Action Party Sikkim about their role in electoral bonds. The two parties—SKM for Rs. 36.05 crore and SDF for Rs. 5.5 crore—have reportedly received substantial quantities of money; they are the sole regional parties in the northeastern States.

In a press conference held on Saturday, just hours before the declaration of the election schedule, the Citizen Action Party stated, "It is evident that the electoral bonds received by SDF and SKM are unconstitutional, especially after the Supreme Court of India declared them as such. These bonds were not introduced for the benefit of the people, but rather for corruptive purposes. Therefore, both Chief Minister Prem Singh Golay and SDF leader Pawan Kumar Chamling must provide clarification on why their parties were involved in electoral bonds, the extent of their contributions, or the amount received."

The Citizen Action Party drew attention to two transactions that took place in two days around October 17 and totaled Rs. 18 crore that the SKM party got soon after the October Glacial Lake Outburst Flood. They also mentioned other election bonds, including the Rs. 3 crore issued in January 2024, the Rs. 8 crore in July 2023, and the Rs. 2 crore issued in October 2022.

Similarly, the Citizen Action Party criticized the SDF party, mocking their "Sikkim Bachau Abhiyaan" (Save Sikkim Campaign), stating, "A party that was advocating for the Save Sikkim Campaign is accepting funds from outside the state, which is indicative of corruptive practices. Even the leader of the SDF must provide clarification. It is public knowledge that the two major parties in the state are engaged in unconstitutional transactions of the state's budget."

The Citizen Action Party also highlighted Future Gaming Hotel Services' involvement, citing its Rs 13,000 crore worth of election bonds. The only two Sikkim parties engaged in the electoral bonds dispute among the Northeastern States, according to CAP, are Future Gaming and Hotel Services.

CAP spokesperson Albert Gurung stated, "Future Gaming and Hotel Services have been directly involved in Sikkim lotteries under contract. Between 2008 and 2010, the state government incurred a loss of Rs 4500 crores due to Future Gaming and Hotel Services. Even during the recent GLOF in October, the company contributed Rs 1 crore to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund, indicating ongoing direct involvement with the State government."

However, CAP refrained from mentioning the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) involvement, which amounted to Rs 6,000 crore in electoral bonds. CAP stated, "Given BJP's status as the largest national party in the country, its involvement in electoral bonds is not surprising. They are mobilizing funds for elections across BJP-ruled states. Among the four prominent parties in the Sikkim elections this year, three parties—SKM, SDF, and BJP—are involved in electoral bonds. CAP stands apart as the only party free from such bonds. Our funding strictly relies on crowdfunding."