From dissident teacher to Chief Minister: The rise of P. S. Golay
In short: How does a government school teacher become the leader of a state? Prem Singh Tamang’s political trajectory is defined by a dramatic break from his original party, a period of legal disqualification, and a massive electoral shift that ended 24 years of established rule in Sikkim.
Prem Singh Tamang, known professionally as P. S. Golay, began his public life in education. After graduating from Darjeeling Government College in 1988, he served as a graduate teacher under the Government of Sikkim's HRD Department until 1993. His transition into politics was fueled by social work interests, leading him to join the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF). He successfully entered the state legislature in 1994 and held various ministerial roles over three consecutive terms, overseeing portfolios such as Animal Husbandry, Industry, and Building and Housing.
The turning point in Tamang's career occurred in late 2009. Following a 'Rolu Picnic' event involving government workers, the ruling SDF issued show-cause notices that prompted Golay to become a dissident MLA. This friction led him to found his own party, the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM), on February 4, 2013. His move was significant; by the 2014 election, his new party secured 42% of the total votes in Sikkim, signaling a major shift in the regional political landscape.
Tamang's path to power was not linear. In late 2016, he was convicted for misappropriating government funds during his earlier tenure with the SDF, leading to his disqualification from the assembly in early 2017. However, after his release in August 2018, he led the SKM to a landmark victory in 2019, ending the Pawan Kumar Chamling-led SDF's 24-year rule. He was sworn in as Chief Minister on May 27, 2019, and solidified his dominance in 2024 by winning 31 out of 32 seats in the state assembly.
Today, Tamang remains a central figure in Sikkim politics, representing the Poklok-Kamrang constituency. His career illustrates the mechanics of political realignment—where internal party friction can catalyze the formation of new movements that eventually dismantle long-standing incumbency.
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