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PS Golay sworn in as new CM of Sikkim, succeeding longest serving CM Pawan Kumar Chamling

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Prem Singh Tamng was sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Sikkim on May 27, succeeding longest serving CM Pawan Kumar Chamling.

His party, the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM), had beaten the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) in the recently held Lok Sabha Elections and dethroned Pawan Kumar Chamling.

Prem Singh Tamang, better known as P.S. Golay, hailing from West Sikkim, has been a part of the political scene in the State since the early 1990s. After joining the SDF in 1993, the 51-year-old won in the 1994 Sikkim Assembly elections from the Chakung constituency, beating Tika Gurung of the Sikkim Sangram Parishad (SSP) by a margin of 1606 (28.33% of the total) votes. He assumed the role of the Minister for Animal Husbandry, Ecclesiastical and Industry Department soon after, serving till 1999.

In the 1999 election, he won by a margin of 1152 votes against Gurung in Chakung. He was chosen to be the Minister for Industries and Animal Husbandry for the next five years. His winning streak continued in 2004 as he won against Satish Mohan Pradhan of the Indian National Congress (INC) by an overwhelming margin of 6501 (91.59% of the total) votes registered in the constituency. This time, he served as the Minister for Building and Housing Department.

The crack between Golay and the SDF began to appear soon after his victory in the 2009 elections. Despite winning the Upper Burtuk constituency against INC candidate Arun Kumar Rai by a margin of 4563 votes, and being offered the role of the Chairperson of Industries Department – he rejected the proposition. On December 21, 2009, after a Rolu picnic event, he declared himself a dissident MLA of the party – heavily criticising its ‘failure to deliver on promises, alleged corruption and nepotism’. He maintained his absence in the annual Rolu picnic event from that year on.

In Upper Burtuk, he won in a closely-contested election by a slender margin of 573 votes against his former party member D. R. Thapa. However, he lost to Tilu Gurung of the SDF in Namthang-Rateypani by a margin of 1155 votes. Golay-led SKM secured 1, 26,024 votes and won 10 of 32 seats in the state Assembly elections — signs of a shift from the dominance of the SDF party.

Between 2015 and 2016, his party lost seven MLAs to the SDF and Golay was disqualified from the Sikkim Legislative Assembly and convicted on the grounds of ‘misappropriating government funds’ worth Rs 9.5 lakh between 1994 and 1999 — during his association with the SDF. He was sentenced to one year in prison with a fine of Rs 10,000. It was only in August 2018 that he was released from the jail and resumed campaigning with SKM.

Golay’s SKM party manifesto for the 2019 elections included promises like providing government jobs to the unemployed, loan waivers up to Rs 5 lakh for farmers and the unemployed and stopping the Citizen Amendment Bill from being enforced.

(With Inputs from The Hindu)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

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Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

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DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

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The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

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Congress, SP send mixed signals on AIMIM’s role ahead of 2027 Uttar Pradesh polls

Congress and Samajwadi Party leaders have responded differently to questions about AIMIM’s role ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, highlighting ongoing discussions over opposition strategy.

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Differing responses from Congress and Samajwadi Party leaders have highlighted varying approaches within the Opposition camp regarding the possible role of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) in the run-up to the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

The discussion gained momentum after AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi launched his party’s campaign preparations for the 2027 elections from Bahraich and reiterated that his party is open to alliances, provided it is treated with respect and as an equal partner.

Different responses from Congress and SP

Reacting to questions about a possible understanding with AIMIM, Congress leader Imran Masood said any decision on alliances would be taken by the party leadership. He also stressed that there could be no compromise with communalism.

On the other hand, Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav adopted a more accommodating tone, stating that anyone capable of defeating the BJP would be welcome. His remarks were viewed as leaving the door open to broader anti-BJP political cooperation.

The differing responses have drawn attention as Opposition parties continue to assess their electoral strategies ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

AIMIM steps up preparations

AIMIM has begun expanding its campaign activity in Uttar Pradesh, with Owaisi launching the party’s preparations from Bahraich. The Hyderabad MP has indicated that AIMIM is willing to consider alliances but has maintained that any partnership must be based on mutual respect and equality.

The party is also working to strengthen its organisational presence in the state as it seeks a larger role in Uttar Pradesh politics ahead of the next Assembly election.

No formal alliance announced

Despite the ongoing discussion, no formal alliance or seat-sharing arrangement involving AIMIM and major Opposition parties has been announced so far.

With more than a year remaining before the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, political equations are expected to evolve as parties finalise their strategies and alliance plans.

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