New Leadership Takes Charge in Gangtok's Urban Governance Battle

Tshering Palden Bhutia was elected as Mayor and Sara Lama as Deputy Mayor of Gangtok Municipal Corporation, while Ganesh Rai and Saraswati Sharma secured leadership roles in Namchi. The SKM party holds 19 out of 21 seats, with Chief Minister Tamang stressing transparency and sustainable urban development in their new roles.

The newly elected members of the Gangtok Municipal Corporation (GMC) appointed Tshering Palden Bhutia as Mayor and Sara Lama as Deputy Mayor on Saturday. The elections, held on April 24 with results declared the following day, saw the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) claiming a dominant victory with 19 seats in the 21-ward body.

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang highlighted the significance of the mandate as a reflection of public trust. In his statement, he emphasized the need for transparent, accountable governance focused on infrastructure improvement, sanitation, and sustainable urban expansion. He urged the new leaders to work closely with all stakeholders for the betterment of the community.

In the broader regional elections, Ganesh Rai and Saraswati Sharma were chosen as chairperson and vice-chairperson in the Namchi Municipal Council. The appointments signal a shift in urban governance across the state, with an emphasis on creating inclusive, resilient neighborhoods.