SKM’s sweeping mandate shapes new civic leadership in Gangtok; Namchi council also elects new office bearers.
Gangtok: In a key civic development, Tshering Palden Bhutia of the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) was elected Mayor of the Gangtok Municipal Corporation on May 2, while Sara Lama assumed office as Deputy Mayor.
Earlier, the newly elected councillors were sworn in by the District Magistrate of Gangtok, who administered the oath of office and secrecy. The ceremony formally marked the beginning of a new municipal administration following the April 24 elections.
The polls delivered a decisive mandate to the ruling SKM, which secured 19 out of 21 wards. Meanwhile, opposition parties had boycotted the elections, further consolidating the party’s control over the civic body.
Congratulating the councillors, Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang said the strong public mandate reflects trust in the leadership and carries significant responsibility. He urged the representatives to ensure “transparency, accountability, and a people-centric approach” while addressing urban priorities.
He further emphasised the need to focus on infrastructure development, sanitation, and sustainable growth to improve the quality of urban life.
Meanwhile, in the Namchi Municipal Council, Ganesh Rai was elected chairperson and Saraswati Sharma took charge as vice-chairperson, indicating a broader leadership transition across key urban bodies.
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