Druk Chirwang Tshogpa unveils its party president

The Executive Director of Bhutan media Foundation Lily Wangchuk will be the party president of Druk Chirwang Tshogpa (DCT).

She said that after tedious consideration and thoughts she decided to join the party. “Almost four parties approached me to join their party but I liked DCT’s ideology where, as a woman I can relate to myself more,” she added.

Lily Wangchuk will stand as the DCT candidate from the North Thimphu constituency. The Interim Committee’s General Secretary Meghraj Tamang said she has lots of experience in Foreign Ministry, good social orientation and has been working in the Bhutan Media Foundation with lots of contribution.

Till date without a party president, he said it was hampering the works of two party workers J.N Sharma and Tandin Tshering. “So far the party was working well and it’s all because of these two architects,” he added.

He said the party was headless so far. “Now Lily Wangchuk as a strong woman party president can play a multiple role in society as compared to male,” he added.

They said Bhutan, a GNH country needs woman candidates, who can govern country with more compassion and love.

“A paradigm shift needs women care, love and courage as we have enough males ruling us,” said the interim General Secretary.

Females are equally competent as compared to males, females play multiple role in our society. Therefore Lily Wangchuk, he said has potential to be a Prime Minister as she has passion in politics and social work.

“Being a woman president of the Party I would definitely be able to provide a different perspective of government,” said Lily Wangchuk.

In addition to that she said the ruling government did a lot of contribution but can do even better than that to enable people to pursue happiness. On some part they took some wrong decisions as well.

The DCT members said she has a strong leadership quality and she likes an open discussion which we want to practice for participatory governance.

“The reforms from women leader are expected to be more people-friendly as people may not get shock out of paradigm shift,” said one of the members.

“Given the fact Bhutan has a young population and we do need some changes. So to have change we need to have more options and choices for people,” Lily Wangchhuk said. Therefore she finally decided to move into politics.

She said Bhutan’s democracy is young and it’s the responsibility of every citizen in the country to ensure that Democracy in Bhutan succeeds by their active participation. “Be it as party candidate, member or by going to polling station,” she added.

Asked about how she pre-empts contenders from the same constituency, she said she don’t even know who are contesting from her constituency. But being a woman she thinks that she can bring a positive impact in the nation.

Born on 15 October, 1972, Lily Wangchuk is the daughter of Aum Kinlay Wangmo from Trashigang and Late Sangay Wangchuk from Thimphu. She comes from a noble family with her family’s ancestry tracing directly back to Zhabdrung Choley Namgyel from Nindukha, Dagana; Zhabdrung Jigme Chogyal of Drametse Choeje and Sangdag, the youngest son of Terton Pema Lingpa. She is the great grand daughter of Droenyer Ugen Dorji, the first Zhung Kalyon who made valuable contributions towards unification of Bhutan under His Majesty Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck whom he served for over 60 years. Her grandfather Daga Penlop Rinzin Dorji who was the last Daga Penlop also played an important role in Bhutanese history under His Majesty the Second and Third King.

Lily Wangchuk has submitted her resignation as the first Executive Director of BMF. She earlier served as Assistant Resident Representative of UNDP Bhutan and as Bhutanese diplomat for over 12 years. She also rendered her professional services as a consultant in the area of democratic governance to both the government and international organizations.

Lily Wangchuk has over 18 years of extensive experience in governance, diplomacy, international relations, public administration, management, strategy planning and implementation and social issues. Having widely travelled both outside and within the country, she has extensive national, regional and international experience and exposure in democratic governance and varied issues. She has wide knowledge on national policies and varied issues having widely travelled to all 20 Dzongkhags and having worked closely with remote communities.

She has Masters Degree in Public Policy with specialization in Diplomacy & International Policy Studies from Australian National University, Canberra, Australia; Postgraduate Diploma in Human Rights, International Law & Refugee Law, Indian Academy of International Law & Diplomacy, New Delhi, India and Bachelors Honors Degree in Political Science, Miranda College, Delhi University, Delhi, India. She has attended numerous trainings and international conferences in a number of countries. In her personal capacity she has contributed as a member to number of NGOs such as RENEW, Tarayana, BAOWE and supported the education of many young orphans and monks. She is currently working towards establishment of National Cancer Society.

Besides winning the Lions Club Award for Outstanding Diplomat in promoting good bilateral relations between Bhutan and India in 2003, she has many academic achievements to her credit including the Postgraduate Award: the Presidents of MTTA Bursary in the Public Policy Program, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia. She has written number of publications and books on Bhutan and related subjects.

The General Secretary of the Interim committee said she will be formally joining DCT by November.

Dr. C T Dorji, who is a historian and an author, will also stand as a DCT candidate contesting in the North Paro constituency.

The Party spokesperson Tandin Tshering said the party has 43 members as of now and the party is trying to search for a best woman candidate as much as they can.

Party worker, J.N Sharma said “the members are from all the region and they are mostly from Education background, retired army and police officer and even have fresh graduates.”

In addition to that the party registered itself with the Election Commission of Bhutan (ECB) yesterday.