Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) president and state chief minister P. S. Tamang (Golay) on Monday might have shot himself in his foot by suggesting it was his party workers who had been reaping the benefits of his one-and-a-half-year old government.

Addressing SKM’s “Rolu Divas” programme in South Sikkim, Golay had his foot-in-the-mouth moment while urging SKM workers to be patient and keep their faith in the party and government.

“Today, who are supplying school uniforms? It is SKM workers. Who is supplying books? It’s our SKM workers. And, who is supplying copies? SKM workers,” he said, citing some other examples where his party workers have benefited.

The tenor and tone of Golay’s entire speech seemed to suggest that he was concerned at the impatience being displayed by SKM workers hitherto deprived of the spoils of power. “Please don’t be in a hurry. I want to tell you one thing: Do you want to earn Rs 500 in one year or Rs 5,000 in five years. You decide…Our workers must have patience,” he implored.

Citing his own example, the SKM president said had he been impatient and thought only about himself and his family, he wouldn’t have become the chief minister.

“I am not like the previous chief minister (Sikkim Democratic Front president Pawan Chamling) who used to say there was no alternative to him. My alternative has to take birth in this party. I want to provide that opportunity,” he promised.

SKM celebrates December 21 as Rolu Divas because on this day in 2009, Golay, while still being an MLA of the SDF, had first called for a change in the leadership of Chamling, who was then the chief minister. Golay eventually quit the SDF in September 2013, six months after he had launched the SKM in February of that year.

Golay said he would embark on the tour of those constituencies whose MLAs were not ministers and also hold meetings with party workers at all levels in the days and weeks to come in order to strengthen the party. “Lot of our friends appear hurt when they do not hold any post. Don’t worry. We will revamp the party on February 4 (SKM’s foundation day), 2021 and entrust responsibility to all workers,” he added.

Without naming the SDF, Golay also held out an olive branch to its supporters and asked them to join the SKM.

“Those who did not help us in 2019 and helped the then government are also Sikkimese and they too love Sikkim. If they like our party’s principles and want to join our family, they can come,” he said while asserting those who chose not to should rest assured of defeat in the 2024 election as well.

J.B. Darnal, a spokesman for the SDF, said it was shameful that the chief minister openly proclaimed to being partisan. “It doesn’t behove the office of chief minister to act in such a manner. Work should be awarded on the basis of merit, not on the basis of party affiliation,” he said.