Sunday, May 03, 2026 23:00 [IST]
Last Update: Saturday, May 02, 2026 17:31 [IST]
GANGTOK,: In a significant shift in local governance, the newly constituted Gangtok Municipal Corporation (GMC) council has 12 women among its 20 elected councillors, with both the Mayor and Deputy Mayor positions held by women for the first time.
The Fourth Council Formation and oath-taking ceremony of the GMC was held Saturday at the GMC Conference Hall in Deorali. All 20 councillors took oath, administered by Municipal Returning Officer Tushar G. Nikhare, in the presence of senior government officials and public representatives.
The highlight of the ceremony was the unanimous election of women to the top leadership positions.
Ward No. 9 councillor Tshering Palden Bhutia of the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha was elected as the new Mayor, while Ward No. 12 councillor Sara Lama was unanimously elected as the Deputy Mayor.
With women now constituting a majority in the council, the new GMC marks a notable moment in urban local governance in Sikkim, both in terms of representation and leadership.
Speaking after assuming office, Mayor Tshering Palden Bhutia said, “I have just become the Mayor, and this reflects the level of trust our party has placed—especially in women. It shows the confidence they have in us, with representation now at around 50 to 52 per cent.”
“I have been active since 2021, and I already have experience of five years. I served as Deputy Mayor under our previous Mayor Nel Bahadur Chettri, and we have done a lot of work together. I do not wish to say much at this moment. I believe in working rather than speaking—I will show results through my work,” said the new Mayor.
