Sikkim CM's wife Krishna Kumari Rai quits as MLA, day after taking oath
Gangtok, Jun 13: Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang's wife Krishna Kumari Rai on Thursday quit as an MLA, a day after taking oath, according to an official notification.
She had won from the Namchi-Singhithang seat in the recently concluded assembly polls, defeating Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) candidate Bimal Rai.
Speaker M N Sherpa has accepted Sikkim Krantikari Morcha leader Krishna Kumari Rai’s resignation, Assembly Secretary Lalit Kumar Gurung said.
The chief minister, who is currently in Arunachal Pradesh to attend the swearing in ceremony of his counterpart Pema Khandu, said in a post on Facebook: "With regard to the news of resignation of my spouse... I wish to inform the dear and respected people of Sikkim that she has vacated her seat in alignment with the unanimous decision of the party, prioritising its welfare and objectives."
"It is important to note that, at the request of the parliamentary committee of the SKM party, she contested the elections for welfare of our party. On behalf of our party, as president, I express my sincere gratitude to her for her dedication and unwavering support," Tamang said.
The SKM chief said the party was committed to give an opportunity to genuine and dedicated functionaries to serve the people of Sikkim, and in the case of the Namchi-Singhithang constituency, too, the residents will get a “dedicated and genuine MLA who will serve their interests”.
"Madam Krishna Rai and I will remain deeply involved in addressing your needs, ensuring that the constituency benefits from the care and attention of three representatives: the new candidate, Madam Krishna Rai, and myself," the CM added.
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Mamata visits Bhabanipur EVM strong room, warns against counting irregularities
Kolkata (PTI): West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee early Friday warned against any attempt to tamper with the counting process, hours after she visited an EVM strong room in Bhabanipur, alleging possible malpractice.
Banerjee, who emerged around 12:07 am after spending nearly four hours at the counting centre for her Bhabanipur constituency housed in Sakhawat Memorial School in south Kolkata, said only one person would be allowed inside the designated counting area.
"Either the candidate or one agent can stay upstairs. I have also suggested installation of a CCTV camera for the media," she told reporters.
Stressing the need for transparency, she said, "It is essential to maintain transparency. People’s votes must be protected. I rushed here after receiving complaints. The central forces initially did not allow me to enter."
Sounding a stern note ahead of the May 4 counting, she added, "If there is any plan to tamper with the counting process, it will not be tolerated."
On Thursday evening, Banerjee had reached the Bhabanipur Assembly segment counting centre, which houses the strong room for EVMs used in the April 29 polling, citing suspicion of tampering with the machines.
She entered the premises along with her election agent and remained inside for hours, even as Kolkata Mayor and TMC candidate from the Kolkata Port segment Firhad Hakim reached the spot but could not meet her.
"I reached here upon learning that the chief minister has arrived. But I couldn’t meet her since she was already inside the premises, exercising her right as a candidate to visit strong rooms. I wasn’t allowed there. I will not be able to confirm what exactly is transpiring inside," Hakim said.
The development coincided with protests by TMC candidates Kunal Ghosh and Shashi Panja outside the Khudiram Anushilan Kendra in north Kolkata, where they staged a sit-in alleging irregularities and possible tampering of EVMs stored in strong rooms, leading to face-offs between TMC and BJP supporters.
Earlier in a video message, Banerjee had urged party leaders, workers and polling agents to maintain a 24-hour vigil on EVM strong rooms, alleging that the BJP could attempt to tamper with the machines before counting begins.
Her remarks come amid heightened political tension in the state following a fiercely contested Assembly election, with parties closely monitoring arrangements and raising concerns over transparency.
