National Political Parties in Sikkim

National political parties in Sikkim have had a telling presence in the political scenario of the state right from the time of the state's inclusion in the Indian democracy in 1975. Indian National Congress was the greatest presence of all national political parties at Sikkim in the state at that time and still continues to be so. Bharatiya Janata Party also has a presence in the state, though it is not that prominent as of now. The situation is similar for the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) as well. However in Sikkim, national political parties have always played second fiddle to the state and regional level parties.

Indian National Congress in Sikkim

The Indian National Congress, the most important of all national political parties in Sikkim, started its journey in the state with great success. Soon after Sikkim was given the status of a state within the Indian democracy, Indian National Congress in Sikkim emerged as the most prominent national party. It won the assembly elections in 1977. Thereafter, the regional issues dominated, ushering in the age of great success for the state level parties in Sikkim. However, the presence of Congress as the most prominent of the national level political parties in Sikkim continued. Congress managed to win only one seat in the 2004 assembly elections, having participated in 28 of the 32 constituencies. That was a temporary setback in the electoral profile of the party in the state. However, INC is keen to regain its lost ground and is continuously strengthening its organizational infrastructure in the state.

Other National Political Parties in Sikkim

Other national political parties in Sikkim include the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM). However, they have only a kind of fringe presence in the state. BJP competed in four constituencies but did not succeed in winning any of them; CPM participated in only one assembly constituency, but with no success. However, both these parties are trying to better their performances next time around.