Ram Chandra Poudyal

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 by	New constituency
Succeeded by	Jagat Bandhu Pradhan
Constituency	Loosing-Pachekhani
1st Deputy Speaker of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly
In office 1975–1977
Succeeded by	Kalzang Gyatso
Member of the Sikkim State Council
In office 1974–1975
Preceded by	New constituency
Constituency	Loosing-Pachekhani
Personal details
Born	1943 or 1944 (age 79–80) Chhota Singtam, Kingdom of Sikkim
Died	July 2024
Nationality	Indian Sikkimese (until 1975)
Political party	Rising Sun Party
Other political affiliations	Sikkim National Congress,Sikkim Congress (Revolutionary)

Ram Chandra Poudyal (1944–2024), 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.

Early life and education

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.

Legal battle

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.

Death

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

Electoral records

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