As India prepares to observe National Panchayati Raj Day on April 24, the Citizen Action Party (CAP) of Sikkim is ramping up efforts to strengthen its grassroots connect. With an eye on deepening its influence at the local governance level, the party recently conducted a strategic meeting aimed at outlining its vision for empowering panchayats and ensuring inclusive development in the Himalayan state.
Held in Gangtok, the closed-door session saw participation from the party’s senior leadership, panchayat members, youth coordinators, and district-level representatives. The meeting, according to party insiders, was convened not only to commemorate the upcoming National Panchayati Raj Day but also to formulate a roadmap for CAP’s active engagement in the state’s rural governance structures.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, CAP president Ganesh Rai emphasized the importance of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in building a strong and self-reliant Sikkim.
“Our villages are the soul of Sikkim. Strengthening local self-governance is not just a constitutional obligation but a moral responsibility. CAP stands committed to giving voice to every village and every panchayat ward,” said Rai.
The Citizen Action Party, which has been gradually making its presence felt in the state’s political sphere, particularly among youth and civil society, sees the Panchayati Raj system as a crucial platform to promote transparency, accountability, and participatory governance. The party has often positioned itself as a citizen-centric alternative to the traditional political powerhouses in Sikkim.
During the meeting, several key agendas were discussed. These included:
- Capacity-building workshops for panchayat members
- Transparent fund utilization in rural development schemes
- Women’s representation in local governance
- Use of digital tools for panchayat recordkeeping and grievance redressal
A major proposal discussed was the launch of “Village Vision 2030,” an initiative CAP plans to introduce in the coming months to streamline village-level planning aligned with sustainable development goals. The program would engage local communities in charting out development priorities, ranging from education and healthcare to agriculture and eco-tourism.
Party general secretary Rinzing Lepcha highlighted the need to revive the original spirit of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment.
“Somewhere along the way, the purpose of decentralization has weakened. We need to bring governance back to the people. CAP believes real progress happens when villagers become decision-makers, not just beneficiaries,” Lepcha noted.
The strategic meeting also reviewed the performance of CAP-supported panchayat candidates from past elections and evaluated gaps in outreach across districts like East and South Sikkim. Plans are underway to expand training modules for future panchayat elections, with a focus on youth participation and social equity.
Political analysts in the state believe that the CAP’s focus on Panchayati Raj could provide it with a competitive edge, particularly in rural constituencies where dissatisfaction with bureaucratic inefficiency and lack of accountability remains high.
Dr. Kunga Bhutia, a political commentator based in Gangtok, commented,
“While major parties in Sikkim often prioritize assembly-level politics, CAP’s decision to engage meaningfully at the grassroots level can be a game-changer. People are yearning for local leaders who listen and act, not just during elections but year-round.”
The party also announced that it would organize a statewide awareness campaign on April 24, in celebration of National Panchayati Raj Day. The campaign will include community dialogues, village cleanliness drives, and educational sessions on constitutional rights and responsibilities of rural citizens.
In a state where top-down governance has historically dominated, CAP’s bottom-up approach is resonating with a growing section of the population. Whether this strategic grassroots push will translate into electoral gains remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the Citizen Action Party is determined to bring the power of governance closer to the people—one panchayat at a time.
As April 24 approaches, all eyes will be on how Sikkim’s political landscape continues to evolve at its very foundation—the village level.