{"id":3737,"date":"2024-11-27T17:41:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-27T12:11:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thecord.in\/?p=3737"},"modified":"2024-12-03T17:34:21","modified_gmt":"2024-12-03T12:04:21","slug":"sdf-distances-itself-from-prem-singh-tamang-disqualification-case","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thecord.in\/?p=3737","title":{"rendered":"SDF Rejects Claims on Petition Withdrawal Against CM"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Sikkim Democratic Front<\/a> (SDF) clarified its position on Wednesday regarding the recent withdrawal of Supreme Court<\/a> petitions challenging the Election Commission\u2019s 2019 decision to reduce Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang\u2019s <\/a>disqualification period from six years to one year. The party stressed that the withdrawals were made solely by the petitioners in their personal capacities and without the party\u2019s authorisation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe SDF Party was unaware of the withdrawal applications, which were filed entirely at the personal discretion of the petitioners,\u201d said Dev Gurung, SDF Vice President for Administrative and Legal Affairs, in a statement. Gurung further asserted that the party had neither passed any resolution to withdraw the petitions nor authorised any party member to undertake such action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The petitions, initially filed by SDF members Bimal Dawari Sharma and J.B. Darnal<\/a>, questioned the legality of Tamang\u2019s appointment as Chief Minister despite his previous disqualification following a corruption conviction. In 2019, the Election Commission reduced Tamang\u2019s disqualification period, enabling him to contest elections and assume office after his Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) party\u2019s electoral victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Dawari Sharma has since resigned from the SDF, Darnal remains a vice president within the party. The SDF criticised Darnal\u2019s unilateral decision to withdraw the petition, describing it as an \u201canti-party activity\u201d and confirming that \u201cappropriate action will be taken against him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tamang\u2019s disqualification had initially stemmed from a one-year jail sentence in a corruption case, barring him from contesting elections until August 2024. However, the Election Commission\u2019s decision in September 2019 shortened this period, paving the way for him to contest elections and lead the SKM to power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Supreme Court approved the withdrawal of the petitions on November 26. Meanwhile, another petition addressing the same issue reportedly remains pending before the apex court. SKM leaders have yet to comment on the matter.<\/p>\n<\/body>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"