Hamro Sikkim Party
{{short description|Indian political party}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox Indian political party
|party_name = Hamro Sikkim Party
|abbreviation = HSP
|colorcode = {{party color|Hamro Sikkim Party}}
|secretary =
|president = Bhaichung Bhutia
|foundation = {{Start date and years ago|df=yes|p=y|2018|05|31}}
|founder = Bhaichung Bhutia
|predecessor =
|split =
|headquarters = Ranipool, Sikkim, India.
|publication =
|ideology = Localism
|colours = Blue and Orange
{{Colorsample|#0275e0}}{{Colorsample|#e89653}}
|position = Localism
|eci = Registered-Unrecognized State Party (Sikkim) (2019-){{cite web|title=POLITICAL PARTIES AND ELECTION SYMBOLS|url=https://old.eci.gov.in/files/file/10381-political-parties-and-election-symbols/|publisher=ECI|access-date=1 November 2019|date=1 April 2019}} HSP was registered in this list with No.811.
|alliance =
|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|https://www.hamrosikkimparty.org/}}
|merged = Sikkim Democratic Front
}}
Hamro Sikkim Party ({{small|abbreviated as}} HSP) (English: Our Sikkim Party) was a regional political party (State Party (Unrecognized)) in the Indian state of Sikkim. The incumbent president of this party is Bhaichung Bhutia. Its election symbol is a Whistle.
History
=Establishment of Hamro Sikkim Party=
On 31 May 2018, former footballer and former member of All India Trinamool Congress (AITC), Bhaichung Bhutia established the new political party, Hamro Sikkim Party (HSP) at Daramdin, West Sikkim, for fighting with Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) which was the ruling political party in Sikkim.{{cite news|title=Hamro Sikkim Party launched at Daramdin|url=http://www.sikkimexpress.com/NewsDetails?ContentID=10647|newspaper=Sikkim Express|access-date=11 November 2019|date=1 June 2018}} Bhaichung Bhutia said HSP is the party for opening to a federal front or third front, and he was inspired by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for fighting against corruption.{{cite news|title=Ahead of political party launch, former footballer Baichung Bhutia says open to third front|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ahead-of-political-party-launch-former-footballer-baichung-bhutia-says-open-to-third-front/story-pQhKjieuf6xinHoHOSnUmI.html|newspaper=Hindustan Times|access-date=11 November 2019|date=26 May 2018}}
On the launching ceremony of HSP, Bhaichung Bhutia, Ran Bahadur Subba (R.B. Subba. former State Minister of SDF Government), Bina Basnett, Tirtha Sharma (former founder member of Sikkim United Front (SUF)), Dhan Singh Limboo, Tara Shrestha (former vice president of Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee (SPCC. Sikkim branch of Indian National Congress)), Dilip Rai, Anu Sharma and Athup Lepcha (former State Minister of Sikkim Janata Parishad (SJP) Government) were elected to the Vice Presidents, and Indra Hang Subba also was one of the founding member of it. However, the post of president was kept vacant.{{cite news|title=Hamro Sikkim Party launched at Daramdin|url=http://www.sikkimexpress.com/NewsDetails?ContentID=10647|newspaper=Sikkim Express|access-date=11 November 2019|date=1 June 2018}}
In August 2018, Kharananda Upreti (K.N. Upreti, former State Minister of Sikkim Sangram Parishad (SSP) Government) and Biraj Adhikari (former president of Sikkim National People’s Party (SNPP)) joined HSP.{{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}} In HSP, Upreti was appointed to the advisor, and Adhikari was appointed to the spokesperson. On 15 November 2018, HSP was registered as a political party by Election Commission of India (ECI).{{cite news|title=ECI registration for HSP|url=http://sikkimexpress.com/NewsDetails?ContentID=43258|newspaper=Sikkim Express|access-date=12 November 2019|date=5 December 2018}}
===Secession of leaders===
On 17 January 2019, Nima Lepcha (former president of Nepali Bhutia Lepcha Sadbhawana Sangathan (NEBULA)) also joined HSP,{{cite news|title=No alliance with national party unless SDF ousted from NDA, NEDA: Bhaichung|url=http://www.sikkimexpress.com/NewsDetails?ContentID=43884|newspaper=Sikkim Express|access-date=13 November 2019|date=18 January 2019}} and he was appointed to the vice president of it. After a week, 24 January, vice president Bina Basnett was nominated to the president of HSP. At the same time, Bhaichung Bhutia and R.B. Subba became acting presidents.{{cite news|title=Bina Basnett becomes HSP president|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/bina-basnett-becomes-hsp-president-119012401421_1.html|newspaper=Business Standard|access-date=11 November 2019|date=24 January 2019}}
In same month, HSP held tie-up talks with Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM){{cite news|title=SKM chief Golay holds closed door meet with HSP VP Bhutia|url=https://nenow.in/north-east-news/sikkim-skm-chief-golay-holds-closed-door-meet-with-hsp-vp-bhutia.html|newspaper=Northeast Now|access-date=11 November 2019|date=15 January 2019}} and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP){{cite news|title=BJP starts tie-up talks with Sikkim parties|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/bjp-starts-tie-up-talks-with-sikkim-parties/cid/1682427|newspaper=The Telegraph|access-date=11 November 2019|date=22 January 2019}} for the Sikkim Legislative Assembly Election 2019. But HSP had not been able to form any alliance with other political parties after all.
In February 2019, R.B. Subba, K.N. Upreti, Tara Shrestha and 4 other leaders seceded from HSP. They explained the 3 major reasons for quitting from HSP, namely nomination of Bina Basnett as the party president, ‘unauthorised talks’ by Bhaichung Bhutia with other political parties and differences over the Limboo-Tamang Assembly seat reservation formula. In addition, they insisted that 80% of party workers of HSP favored to nominate Upreti as the party president.{{cite news|title=RB Subba, KN Upreti & Tara Shrestha quit HSP|url=http://sikkimexpress.com/NewsDetails?ContentID=74346|newspaper=Sikkim Express |access-date=12 November 2019|date=26 February 2019}} Subba, Upreti and Shresta joined SDF.{{cite news|title=R.B Subba, K.N Upreti, other 4.7K Join SDF|url=https://www.gangtoktimes.news/06/28/23/district/31/admin/|newspaper=Gangtok Times |access-date=12 November 2019|date=28 February 2019}}
In March same year, Indra Hang Subba{{cite news|title=Sikkim politics a vicious cycle run by money: HSP president|url=https://www.eastmojo.com/news/2019/03/13/sikkim-politics-a-vicious-cycle-run-by-money-hsp-president|newspaper=East Mojo|access-date=12 November 2019|date=13 March 2019}} and Tirtha Sharma{{cite news|title=HSP vice president joins SKM|url= http://www.sikkimexpress.com/NewsDetails?ContentID=74788|newspaper=Sikkim Express|access-date=12 November 2019|date=29 March 2019}} also seceded from HSP, and they both joined SKM. At the same time, Indra Hang Subba was nominated to the candidate of SKM for the sole Lok Sabha Seat from Sikkim.{{cite news|title=SKM declares final list of 13 candidates for assembly election|url= http://www.uniindia.com/skm-declares-final-list-of-13-candidates-for-assembly-election/east/news/1539419.html|newspaper=United News of India |access-date=12 November 2019|date=24 March 2019}}
In contrast, Athup Lepcha, Nima Lepcha, Dhan Singh Limboo, Biraj Adhikari and some other leaders favored to Bina Basnett and Bhaichung Bhutia, remained with HSP.
=Sikkim Legislative Assembly Election 2019=
In the Sikkim Legislative Assembly Election 2019 (32 constituencies), HSP nominated 22 candidates to 23 constituencies.Bhaichung Bhutia was nominated to 2 constituencies (Tumen-Ringi and Gangtok). But all candidates lost and only received 1.76% votes or less in each constituency.{{cite news|title=Sikkim Assembly Election Results 2019 LIVE COUNTING
|url=https://www.firstpost.com/assembly-elections-2019/sikkim|newspaper=Firstpost|access-date=12 November 2019|date=27 May 2019}} In Lok Sabha Election of Sikkim, HSP nominated Biraj AdhikariAdhikari was also nominated to the Rhenock constituency of Sikkim Legislative Assembly. as their candidate, but he lost and secured only 1,998 votes (0.57%) and the 6th position of 10 candidates.{{cite news|title=Sikkim Election Results|url=https://www.news18.com/lok-sabha-elections-2019/sikkim/sikkim-election-result-s21p01/|newspaper=Firstpost|access-date=12 November 2019|date=27 May 2019}}
In October 2019 HSP participated the By-Election for Sikkim Legislative Assembly (3 constituencies). HSP send candidates to 2 constituencies, namely Bhaichung Bhutia recontested from Gangtok, Nima Lepcha recontested from Martam-Rumtek. Before this election, HSP (Bhaichung Bhutia) proposed a pre-poll alliance to Delay Namgyal Barfungpa (SNPP president and the candidate from Gangtok Constituency), but Barfungpa didn't accept it.{{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}}
In Gangtok constituency, the candidate of BJP, Yong Tshering Lepcha elected by 2,508 (40.88%) votes, and Barfungpa became a runner-up candidate by 1,498 (24.42%) votes. The candidate of SDF, Rinzing Ongmu Bhutia secured 874 votes (14.25%) and 3rd position of 6 candidates. Meanwhile, Bhaichung Bhutia secured 579 votes (9.44%) and 4th position, and he couldn't refund his deposit of candidacy.{{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}}
In Martam-Rumtek constituency, the candidate of BJP, Sonam Tshering Venchungpa elected by 8,204 (65.47%) votes, and the candidate of SDF, Nuk Tshering Bhutia became a runner-up candidate by 2,054 (16.39%).{{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}} Meanwhile, Nima Lepcha secured 1,235 votes (9.86%) and 3rd position of 6 candidates, so he couldn't refund his deposit of candidacy, too.{{cite news|title=Graph of HSP rising: Bhaichung|url=http://sikkimexpress.com/NewsDetails?ContentID=87822|newspaper=Sikkim Express|access-date=11 November 2019|date=26 October 2019}}
=Baichung Bhutia's leadership=
In 20 September 2022 Bhaichung Bhutia was elected unanimously by party leaders and members as the new president of HSP.{{cite news|title=Footballer Bhaichung Bhutia becomes new president of Hamro Sikkim Party|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/politics/footballer-bhaichung-bhutia-becomes-new-president-of-hamro-sikkim-party-122092000423_1.html|newspaper=Business Standard|access-date=18 November 2022|date=20 September 2022}} In October 2022 Sikkim Sangram Parishad (SSP) merged into HSP. On that time, SSP leaders handed over the flag and ‘legacy of Nar Bahadur Bhandari’ to HSP leaders. Bhaichung Bhutia and HSP accepted the flag and subsequently declared the white and red bands as the official colours of the new party flag of HSP.{{cite news|title=Sikkim: Sangram Party merged with Baichung's Hamro Sikkim Party|url=https://www.eastmojo.com/sikkim/2022/10/05/sikkim-sangram-party-merges-with-bhaichungs-hamro-sikkim-party/|newspaper=East Mojo|access-date=18 November 2022|date=5 October 2022}}
Baichung Bhutia merged the Hamro Sikkim Party with Pawan Kumar Chamling led Sikkim Democratic Front in November 2023.
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
| 32 | 23 | 0 | 23 | 0.80 |
| 2019 (by-election)
| 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 9.72 | {{cite news|title=Final result of Martam-Rumtek bye-poll|url=https://www.facebook.com/sikkimexpress/photos/a.130585913754096/1943209539158382/?type=3&theater|newspaper=Sikkim Express (Facebook)|access-date=19 November 2019|date=25 October 2019}}{{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}} |
; Lok Sabha election, Sikkim
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |
| Year
! Total Seats ! Seats Contested ! Seats Won ! Forfeited Deposits ! % Votes Contested ! Source |
|---|
| 2019
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0.57 |
President
- 1st Bina Basnett (24 January 2019 – 20 September 2022)
- 2nd Bhaichung Bhutia (20 September 2022 –23 November 2023)
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.hamrosikkimparty.org/ Hamro Sikkim Party] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220820135206/https://www.hamrosikkimparty.org/ |date=20 August 2022 }}
{{Indian political parties}}
Category:Political parties in Sikkim