Neeraj Singh Creator: updated details

2025-10-08T03:13:57Z

updated details

->PrimeBOT: /* top */Task 24: template update following a TFD

2021-12-11T22:00:10Z

top: Task 24: template update following a TFD

New page

{{short description|Indian political party}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox Indian political party
|party_name = Sikkim National People's Party
|abbreviation = SNPP
|colorcode = {{party color|Sikkim National People's Party}}
|secretary =
|leader = [[Delay Namgyal Barfungpa]]
|foundation = {{Start date and years ago|df=yes|p=y|2008|10|10}}
|founder = [[Biraj Adhikari]]
|predecessor =
|split =
|headquarters = [[Gangtok]], [[Sikkim]], [[India]].
|publication =
|ideology = [[Localism (politics)|Localism]]
|colours = White{{Colorsample|#ffffff}} and Red{{Colorsample|#dc1217}}
|position = [[Localism (politics)|Localism]]
|eci = [[List of political parties in India#Unrecognised parties|Registered-Unrecognized State Party]] ([[Sikkim]])<ref name=ECI190925>{{cite web|title=Amending notification regarding political parties and their election symbols dated 25.09.2019|url=https://eci.gov.in/files/file/10767-amending-notification-regarding-political-parties-and-their-election-symbols-dated-25092019/|publisher=Election Commission of India (ECI)|access-date=31 October 2019|year=2019}} SNPP was registered in this list with No.2463.</ref>
|alliance = [[Sikkim Progressive Alliance]] (2019-present)
|national_convener =
|loksabha_seats =
|rajyasabha_seats =
|state_seats_name = [[Sikkim Legislative Assembly]]
|state_seats = {{Composition bar|0|32|hex=#009900}}
|flag =
|party_logo =
|website = {{URL|http://www.snppsikkim.com/}}
}}

'''Sikkim National People's Party (SNPP)''' is a regional political party (State Party (Unrecognized)) in the Indian state of Sikkim. Incumbent president of this party is [[Delay Namgyal Barfungpa]] (Delay Kazi Barfungpa). Election symbol is Pen Nib. SNPP doesn't have any relationship with [[Sikkim National Party]] (SNP) in same state or [[National People's Party (India)|National People's Party]] (NPP) in the state of [[Meghalaya]].

==History ==
===Pre-SNPP history===
[[Biraj Adhikari]] and [[Delay Namgyal Barfungpa]] were members of the [[Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee]] (SPCC. Sikkim branch of [[Indian National Congress]] (INC)) which was led by [[Nar Bahadur Bhandari]]. In 2004, as the candidates of INC, Adhikari contested [[Sikkim (Lok Sabha constituency)|the sole Lok Sabha seat from Sikkim]],<ref>{{cite web|title=STATISTICAL REPORT ON GENERAL ELECTIONS, 2004 TO THE 14th LOK SABHA VOLUME III|url=https://eci.gov.in/files/file/3363-sikkim-2004/|publisher=ECI|access-date=31 October 2019|year=2004}}</ref> Barfungpa contested [[2004 Sikkim Legislative Assembly election|the Sikkim Legislative seat]] from [[Martam-Rumtek (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Rumtek Constituency]].<ref>{{cite web|title=STATISTICAL REPORT ON GENERAL ELECTION, 2004 TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF SIKKIM|url=https://eci.gov.in/files/file/3363-sikkim-2004/|publisher=ECI|access-date=31 October 2019|year=2004}}</ref> Both were defeated by candidates of the ruling party [[Sikkim Democratic Front]] (SDF).

In May 2006, because of discontent with Bhandari's leadership, Biraji Adhikari seceded from SPCC.<ref>{{cite news|title=Seven from Sikkim quit Congress|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/west-bengal/seven-from-sikkim-quit-congress/cid/804255|newspaper=The Telegraph |access-date=20 November 2019|date=28 May 2006}}</ref> He joined [[Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad]] (SHRP) as the spokesperson of it.<ref>{{cite news|title=SHRP demands white paper on rights of Limboo-Tamang|url=https://www.oneindia.com/2008/02/16/shrp-demands-white-paper-on-rights-of-limboo-tamang-1203218754.html|newspaper=oneindia |access-date=28 November 2019|date=17 February 2008}}</ref> Meanwhile, it is not much information on the movement of Delay Namgyal Barfungpa from 2004 to 2008, but he also seceded from SPCC at some point.

===Establishment of SNPP===
On 10 October 2008, Adhikari seceded from SHRP, and established the new party, '''Sikkim National People's Party (SNPP)''' for fighting with SDF. Adhikari was elected to the president, [[Tseten Dorjee Lepcha]] was elected as the working president, and Delay Namgyal Barfungpa was elected to the tresurer.<ref>{{cite news|title=State government and central government should protect our right: Biraj Adhikari|url=http://prabinkhaling.blogspot.com/2009/03/gangtok28-marchpress-releasethe-party.html?m=1|newspaper=prabinkhaling.blogspot|access-date=21 November 2019|date=28 March 2009}}</ref>

In [[2009 Sikkim Legislative Assembly election|the Sikkim Legislative Assembly election of 2009]], Adhikari contested from 2 constituencies ([[Rhenock (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Rhenock]] and [[Chujachen (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Chujachen]]), Tseten Dorjee Lepcha contested from [[Djongu (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Djongu constituency]] and Barfungpa contested from [[Gangtok (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Gangtok constituency]]. SNPP formed the electoral alliance, [[United Sikkimese Alliance]] (USA) with [[Sikkim Jan-Ekta Party]] (SJEP).<ref>{{cite news|title=SNPP, SJP forms ‘United Sikkimese Alliance’|url=http://prabinkhaling.blogspot.com/2009/04/snpp-sjp-forms-united-sikkimese.html?m=1|newspaper=prabinkhaling.blogspot|access-date=21 November 2019|date=2 April 2009}}</ref> With the exception of SJEP, SNPP didn't affiliate with SPCC or other opposition parties.

However, SNPP couldn't be registered in the List of Political Parties of [[Election Commission of India]] (ECI) before the election period,<ref>{{cite web|title=Political Parties And Election Symbols as on 14-03-2009|url=https://eci.gov.in/files/file/4148-political-parties-and-election-symbols-as-on-14-03-2009/|publisher=ECI|access-date=1 November 2019|date=14 March 2009}} Meanwhile, SJEP could be registered in this List as the No. 894.</ref> so they had to run as independent candidates. As a result, they received 6.26% votes (Tseten Dorjee Lepcha in Djongu) or less in each constituency.<ref>{{cite web|title=STATISTICAL REPORT ON GENERAL ELECTION, 2009 TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF SIKKIM|url=https://eci.gov.in/files/file/3364-sikkim-2009/|publisher=ECI|access-date=31 October 2019|year=2009}}</ref>

===Secession of Adhikari===
Delay Namgyal Barfungpa was promoted to the vice president of SNPP at some point from 2009 to 2012. In [[2014 Sikkim Legislative Assembly election|the Sikkim Legislative Assembly election of 2014]] SNPP didn't contest and appealed voters to be politically conscious, pointing out the [[None of the above (India)|"None of the Above" (NOTA)]] option.<ref>{{cite news|title=SNPP appeals voters to be politically conscious, points out NOTA option|url=http://sikkimnow.blogspot.com/2014/03/snpp-appeals-voters-to-be-politically.html|newspaper=Sikkim NOW!|access-date=31 October 2019|date=26 March 2014}}</ref>

In January 2018 SNPP announced that it would contest the [[2019 Sikkim Legislative Assembly election|Sikkim Legislative Assembly Election 2019]].<ref>{{cite news|title=SNPP to contest 2019 Sikkim assembly polls|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/snpp-to-contest-2019-sikkim-assembly-polls-118012900726_1.html|newspaper=Business Standard|access-date=31 October 2019|date=29 January 2018}}</ref> However, in August 2018 Adhikari resigned from the president and seceded from SNPP. He transferred to [[Hamro Sikkim Party]] (HSP) which is led by [[Bhaichung Bhutia]], and Adhikari was appointed to the spokesperson of the party.<ref>{{cite news|title=K.N. Upreti & Biraj Adhikari joins Hamro Sikkim Party|url=http://sikkimexpress.com/NewsDetails?ContentID=11691|newspaper=Sikkim Express|access-date=31 October 2019|date=6 August 2018}}</ref> Barfungpa didn't follow Adhikari, and Barfungpa was elected to the SNPP president by party members.<ref>{{cite news|title=Delay Namgyal is new SNPP president|url=http://sikkimexpress.com/NewsDetails?ContentID=11793&SectionID=|newspaper=Sikkim Express|access-date=31 October 2019|date=13 August 2018}}</ref>

===Barfungpa’s leaderships===
In March 2019 SNPP participated in the election alliance, [[Sikkim Progressive Alliance]] (SPA) which was formed by [[Sikkim Sangram Parishad]] (SSP), [[Sikkim Rajya Manch|Sikkim Rajya Manch Party]] (SRMP) and [[Sikkim United Front Party]] (SUFP).<ref>{{cite news|title=Four Parties form Sikkim Progressive Alliance|url=http://www.uniindia.com/~/four-parties-form-sikkim-progressive-alliance/States/news/1528140.html|newspaper=United News of India|access-date=31 October 2019|date=14 March 2019}}</ref> SPA sent 8 candidates for [[2019 Sikkim Legislative Assembly election]], 1 candidate for [[Sikkim (Lok Sabha constituency)|2019 Sikkim Lok Sabah election]], and 3 of 9 were SNPP candidates.<ref>{{cite news|title=SPA Announces 9 Candidates Including Lok Sabha Candidate|url=https://voiceofsikkim.com/2019/03/18/spa-announces-9-candidates-including-lok-sabha-candidate/|newspaper=The Voice of Sikkim (TVOS)|access-date=22 November 2019|date=17 March 2019}} However, on the eve this election, SSP withdrew its candidate, Tara Battarai in Upper Tadong.</ref>

But SNPP had not been registered in the List of Political Parties of ECI by the election date.<ref>{{cite web|title=POLITICAL PARTIES AND ELECTION SYMBOLS|url=https://eci.gov.in/files/file/10381-political-parties-and-election-symbols/|publisher=ECI|access-date=1 November 2019|date=1 April 2019}}</ref> Barfungpa and other 2 SNPP candidates had to run as independent candidates, again. Barfungpa received only 97 votes (1.31%, 4th position of 6 candidates) in Gangtok constituency.<ref>{{cite news|title=Gangtok Election Result 2019 LIVE COUNTING|url=https://www.firstpost.com/sikkim-assembly-elections/gangtok-election-results-2019-s21a027|newspaper=Firstpost|access-date=31 October 2019|date=27 May 2019}}</ref>

Before the October same year By-Election of Sikkim Legislative Assembly (3 constituencies), the candidate of HSP from Gangtok constituency, Bhaichung Bhutia proposed a pre-poll alliance to Barfungpa, but Barfungpa didn't accept it.<ref name=SE>{{cite news|title=Delay Namgyal critical of BJP entry plan in Sikkim|url=http://sikkimexpress.com/NewsDetails?ContentID=87727&SectionID=|newspaper=Sikkim Express|access-date=31 October 2019|date=19 October 2019}}</ref> SNPP was planning to participate this By-Election, and sent only Barfungpa for contesting from Gangtok constituency as an independent candidate third times.

Just at that time, SNPP had finally been registered to the List of the Political Parties of ECI as the State Party (Unrecognized) on September 25, 2019.<ref name=ECI190925/> As the result, this is the first election that SNPP could contest by using its own party's name.

In this By-Election from Gangtok constituency, the candidate of [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP), [[Yong Tshering Lepcha]] elected by 2,508 (40.88%) votes. At the same time, Barfungpa became a runner-up candidate by 1,498 (24.42%) votes, and he could refund his deposit of candidacy.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang wins from Poklok Kamrang seat, BJP bags two seats|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/sikkim-cm-prem-singh-tamang-wins-from-poklok-kamrang-seat-bjp-bags-two-seats/articleshow/71740255.cms|newspaper=Economic Times|access-date=31 October 2019|date=24 October 2019}}</ref>

== Ideology and political positions ==
SNPP advocates that safeguarding for interests of Sikkimese people and the special status for the state of Sikkim. It insists that the protection of the [[Constitution of India]]'s Article 371F<ref>{{cite news|title=No match for Sikkim's victorious regional parties since 1979|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/sikkim/no-match-for-sikkims-victorious-regional-parties-since-1979/articleshow/68700102.cms|newspaper=The Times of India|access-date=31 October 2019|date=3 April 2019}}</ref> and the reintroduction of the Sikkim Tax Manual.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sikkim party wants old tax law back|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/west-bengal/sikkim-party-wants-old-tax-law-back/cid/1455022|newspaper=The Telegraph|access-date=31 October 2019|date=27 March 2018}} In 2008, Sikkim Tax Manual had been repealed by the introduction of [[the Income-tax Act, 1961]].</ref> SNPP demands that [[Government of Sikkim]] has to provide free electricity & medicines for the people of Sikkim.<ref name=NE>{{cite news|title=SNPP demands free electricity & medicines, says SDF failed to deliver basic facilities|url=https://thenortheasttoday.com/sikkim-snpp-demands-free-electricity-medicines-says-sdf-failed-to-deliver-basic-facilities/|newspaper=the northeast today|access-date=8 November 2019|date=8 December 2018}}</ref>

SNPP also demands that the Nepali seats in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly should be reinstated. At the same time, it opposes to the merger of Darjeeling hills with Sikkim.<ref name=NE/>

In December 2012 Delay Namgyal Barfungpa petitioned the Supreme Court with corruption allegations against the ruling political party (1994-2019) SDF Government.<ref>{{cite news|title=Delay Namgyal petitions Supreme Court with corruption allegations against CM and State Govt|url=http://sikkimnow.blogspot.com/2012/01/delay-namgyal-petitions-supreme-court.html|newspaper=Sikkim NOW!|access-date=31 October 2019|date=27 January 2012}}</ref> In May 2019 Barfungpa attended the swearing-in ceremony for the Chief Minister of Sikkim, [[Prem Singh Tamang]] (P.S. Golay) who is the president of [[Sikkim Krantikari Morcha]] (SKM). Conversely, the former Chief Minister and president of SDF, [[Pawan Kumar Chamling]] had boycotted it.<ref>{{cite news|title=PS Golay takes oath as Sikkim’s 6th CM|url=http://www.sikkimexpress.com/NewsDetails?ContentID=75563&SectionID=|newspaper=Sikkim Express|access-date=31 October 2019|date=28 March 2019}}</ref> In the by-election 2019 Barfungpa criticized that the BJP-SKM alliance is a kind of backdoor politics.<ref name=SE/>

== Electoral records ==
; [[Sikkim Legislative Assembly]] election
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! Year
! Total Seats
! Seats Contested
! Seats Won
! Forfeited Deposits
! % Votes Contested
! Source
|-
| 2019 (by-election)
| 3
| 1
| 0
| 0
| 24.42
| <ref>{{cite news|title=Final result of Gangtok bye-poll|url=https://www.facebook.com/sikkimexpress/photos/a.130585913754096/1943209019158434/?type=3&theater|newspaper=Sikkim Express (Facebook)|access-date=22 November 2019|date=25 October 2019}}</ref>
|}

==Presidents==
*1st [[Biraj Adhikari]] (10 October 2008 - 4 August 2018)
*2nd [[Delay Namgyal Barfungpa]] (13 August 2018 - Incumbent)

==Organisation==
*SNPP Youth

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.snppsikkim.com/ Sikkim National People’s Party]
* [https://www.facebook.com/Sikkim-National-Peoples-Party-169479896421843/ Sikkim National People's Party (Facebook)]
* [https://www.facebook.com/DelayNamgyalBarfungpa/ Delay Namgyal Barfungpa (Facebook)]
* [https://www.facebook.com/snppyouth/ SNPP YOUTH (Facebook)]

{{Indian political parties}}

[[Category:Political parties in Sikkim]]
[[Category:Political parties established in 2008]]
[[Category:2008 establishments in Sikkim]]

Sikkim National People's Party - Revision history

Neeraj Singh Creator: updated details

->PrimeBOT: /* top */Task 24: template update following a TFD