Ram Chandra Poudyal

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.

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.

Electoral records

 * State Council (Sikkim) election
 * Sikkim Legislative Assembly election