Ram Chandra Poudyal (1944–2024),[1] commonly known as R.C. Poudyal, was an Indian politician from the state of Sikkim. He has played a significant role in the state's political landscape, particularly in the context of Sikkim's integration into the Indian Union and the subsequent constitutional and legal developments. He was best known for founding and leading the Rising Sun Party (RSP), a political party active in the late 1980s.[2]

Ram Chandra Poudyal
President of Rising Sun Party
In office
1989–1990
President of SC(R)
In office
1979–1981
Member of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly
In office
1975–1979
Preceded byNew constituency
Succeeded byJagat Bandhu Pradhan
ConstituencyLoosing-Pachekhani
1st Deputy Speaker of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly
In office
1975–1977
Succeeded byKalzang Gyatso
Member of the Sikkim State Council
In office
1974–1975
Preceded byNew constituency
ConstituencyLoosing-Pachekhani
Personal details
Born1943 or 1944 (age 79–80)
Chhota Singtam, Kingdom of Sikkim
Nationality Indian
Sikkimese (until 1975)
Political partyRising Sun Party
Other political
affiliations
Sikkim National Congress,Sikkim Congress (Revolutionary)

==Early life and education==R.C. Poudyal, a prominent political figure from Sikkim, completed his early education in Gangtok. He later pursued higher studies in Kalimpong, West Bengal. Afterward, he attended college in Kolkata, where he earned a law degree. He completed his schooling at Sir Tashi Namgyal Academy in Gangtok, Sikkim. For higher education, he attended Scottish Church College in Kolkata, West Bengal, where he pursued his degree in law.

Political career

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Poudyal is perhaps best known for the landmark case R.C. Poudyal vs. Union of India (1993), where he challenged the reservation policies in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly. He argued that the disproportionate reservation of seats for the Bhutia-Lepcha community was discriminatory and violated the principles of fair representation under the Indian Constitution. The Supreme Court, however, upheld the reservations, emphasizing the unique historical and cultural context of Sikkim.[3]

Death

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As per newspaper reports on July 18 2024: his body was found floating in the teesta in bangladesh on July 16 tuesday, nine days after he was reported missing from his hometown in sikkim's chhota singtam. SIT is probing into this matter.

Electoral records

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State Council (Sikkim) election
Year Constituency Political Party Result Position Votes % Votes % Margin Deposit Source
1974 Loosing-Pachekhani SNC Won -
Sikkim Legislative Assembly election
Year Constituency Political Party Result Position Votes % Votes % Margin Deposit Source
1985 Loosing Pachekhani INC Lost 2nd 845 31.46
1989 RIS Lost 2nd 1566 42.16
Barmiok Lost 2nd 1001 26.42
1994 Loosing Pachekhani RSP Lost 3rd 1378 28.81

References

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  1. ^ "Sikkim's Veteran Leader RC Poudyal Found Dead in Teesta Canal | Politics". Devdiscourse. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  2. ^ "CHAPTER-4 STATE PARTY DOMINANCE: CASE of SIKKIM SANGRAM PARIS HAD CHAPTER 4 State Party Dominance: Case of Sikkim Sangram Parishad". Docslib. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  3. ^ IJLMH (2021-02-13). "Case Commentary on R.C. Poudyal v. Union of India". International Journal of Law Management & Humanities. Retrieved 2024-07-09.