SKM announces heads of Urban Local Bodies in Sikkim

NAWDEEP SHARMA

GANGTOK,: The Sikkim KrantikariMorcha (SKM) on Thursday announced the allocation of leadership positions across Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) following the 2026 municipal elections.

Addressing the media, SKM spokesperson Jacob Khaling informed that a meeting was held earlier in the day under the leadership of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay, who is also the party president, with all elected candidates of the ULB elections.

A total of 62 elected representatives attended the meeting. Out of 63 seats, one seat - Ward No. 17 (Pani House) under the Gangtok Municipal Corporation - remained without an election as all candidates had withdrawn their nominations.

The meeting was attended by elected members from both SKM and its alliance partner, the BharatiyaJanata Party (BJP). Discussions centred on finalising appointments to key posts, including Mayor, Deputy Mayor, chairpersons, vice-chairpersons, presidents, and vice-presidents across Gangtok Municipal Corporation, Namchi Municipal Council, and seven Nagar Panchayats.

The details of the appointments were presented by SKM secretary general Arun Upreti.

According to the list, TsheringPaldenBhutiawas named as Mayor of the Gangtok Municipal Corporation, while Sara Lama will serve as Deputy Mayor. In Namchi Municipal Council, Ganesh Rai has been named chairman for a second straight term and Saraswati Sharma as Vice Chairman.

Similarly, Sanjeev Kr. Khati and Sanju Manger have been appointed president and vice president of Rangpo Nagar Panchayat, while in Singtam Nagar Panchayat, MukeshAgarwal and BindhyaSubba will serve as president and vice president, respectively. In Mangan Nagar Panchayat, TsheringDomaBhutia has been named president and NorbuRinchen Lepcha as vice president.

For Gyalshing Nagar Panchayat, Khina Maya Tewari has been appointed president and RinzingBhutia as vice president. In Nayabazar–Jorethang Nagar Panchayat, SamtenMoktan (Tamang) will serve as president and ManjariRai as vice president. Soreng Nagar Panchayat will be headed by Dina HangmaSubba as president and Dil Prasad Jogi as vice president, while in Pakyong Nagar Panchayat, InchungBhutia and Bhim Maya Chettri have been appointed president and vice president, respectively.

Other leaders present at the press meet included SKM spokesperson BikashBasnett, MLA-cum-spokesperson Kala Rai, and general secretary (Publicity Affairs) JunuChettri.

The municipal elections 2026 in Sikkim were held earlier this month, with the SKM–BJP alliance sweeping the urban bodies. The SKM party stated that the newly appointed leadership will focus on strengthening urban governance and ensuring effective delivery of civic services.