The Citizen Action Party – Sikkim is a Political Party in Indian Union. The party being a regional one is active in the Indian state of Sikkim. The Party was formed in January 2023 after the state wide Sikkim Sudhar Sankalpa Yatra held under banner of Reform Call. Ganesh K Rai, a former Chairman Sikkim Cooperative Union and Panchayat President Mellidara GPU and supporters of former Sikkim Democratic Front leader Ganesh Kumar Rai led the reform movement after 2019 election. At its founding, Rai claimed that the party would forgoe traditional elements of political parties in Sikkim and would have no party flag, political slogan and finance itself without the use of bank loans. The party claims to be a grassroots movement and to be financed through crowdfunding.[1]
Citizen Action Party – Sikkim | |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | CAP Sikkim |
| Leader | Ganesh Kumar Rai |
| President | Bharat Basnett |
| Founder | Ganesh Kumar Rai |
| Founded | January 26, 2023 |
| Ideology | Reformism, Regionalism |
| ECI Status | Registered-Recognized |
| Election symbol | |
 | |
| Website | |
| www | |
The CAP - Sikkim is focussed on a reformist agenda. In its manifesto for the 2024 state election in Sikkim, it promised to eliminate the state debt of Sikkim within 10 years, to stop investing state funds in the Teesta-IV hydel power project and attract investments to the state.[2] In constitutional matters, the CAP - Sikkim supports reserved seats in the state assembly for minorities and the autonomous status of Sikkim within India.[3]
History
editThe party was formed in January 2023 at Melli. LP Kafley Former Chairman Sikkim Cooperative Union became the first president of the party in May 23 through election held by party’s Election Council, while Ganesh Kumar Rai became chief coordinator on the day of party’s formation. The party received the electoral symbol of a citizen.[4] Bharat Basnet, a Former SPCC President Indian National Congress politician, became second president of the party in February 2024 after LP Kafley stepped down from his position.[5]
Bharat Basnet was the MP (Lok Sabha) candidate in the 2024 Indian general election, and aligned neither with the ruling National Democratic Alliance nor the main opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance.[6] Bharat Basnet came in second behind with 22% vote share the incumbent Indra Hang Subba.[7]
The party participated in 30 seats in the 2024 Sikkim Legislative Assembly election with 3 female and 27 male candidates with Ganesh K Rai as its candidate for Chief Minister of Sikkim.[8] The party came in third and failed to win any seats.[9]
Election results
editLok Sabha
edit| Election | Party leader | Seats contested | Seats won | Change in Seats | Overall votes % | Vote % in Seats contested | ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Bharat Basnett | 1 | 0 / 543
|
|
0.01% | 21.71% | [7] |
Sikkim Assembly
edit| Election | Party leader | Seats contested | Seats won | Change in Seats | Overall votes % | Vote % in Seats contested | ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Ganesh Kumar Rai | 30 | 0 / 32
|
|
6.03% | [9] |
References
edit- ^ Pramod, Giri (27 January 2023). "New party formed in Sikkim, promises to operate through crowd-funding". Hindustan Times.
- ^ "Election manifesto: CAP promises to make Sikkim debt-free in 10 years, bringing investments worth Rs. 50,000 cr". sikkimexpress.com (in Hindi). Retrieved 2024-09-11.
- ^ Newsdesk (April 6, 2024). "CAP Intensifies Campaign Across Sikkim For Upcoming General Elections 2024". TVOS.
- ^ "ECI allots 'NAGRIK' symbol to Citizen Action Party-Sikkim". Sikkim Express. 29 December 2023.
- ^ "Sikkim: Bharat Basnett CAP's new president". Northeast Live. 2024-02-22. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
- ^ Gurung, Isabella (April 17, 2024). "Will be a strong voice for Sikkim in Parliament: Basnet". Sikkim Express.
- ^ a b Result of the Sikkim Lok Sabah constituency
- ^ Rai, Kunal (13 April 2024). "Ganesh K Rai maintaining a pressing election campaign across Sikkim with call for reforms". Sikkim Express.
- ^ a b Election Commission of India: Party-wise results for the 2024 Sikkim assembly elections