The Bhutanese Leading the way.
Due to continuous rainfall in Dagana, only 150 people out of 700 were able to make it to the first common forum, which began yesterday in Lhamoizingkha gewog.
The four candidates from the four political parties were not so happy with the turnover of the public gathering at the common forum.
The four candidates representing their respective parties are Hemant Gurung, 54, from the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT), Prakash Sharma, 39, from the Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT), Ngeema Sangay Tshempo from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and Saraswati Chhetri, 32, from the Druk Chirwang Tshogpa (DCT).
Hemant Gurung was with the Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) for 23 years working. He has a BA degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University, India.
Prakash Sharma has 13 years of work experience in the private sector.
Ngeema Sangay Tshempo has a BA degree in arts. He has worked in the cottage industry, and has also contested in 2008 National Assembly elections.
Saraswati Chhetri is the lone female candidate competing against the three male candidates. She has worked in a private firm for six years, and has a degree in information system management.
Talking about the forum, DPT’s Hemant Gurung said due to the limitation of time, he was not able to express all his views and points to the people. However, the DPT candidate was able to brief the public on the party manifesto, and thought his talk with the people was successful.
“Talking to the gathering, I basically focused on promoting my party as my party comes first,” Hemant Gurung said.
Saraswati Chhetri said that the common forum went well, and she hopes that the people will support her so that she can prove her capabilities.
Prakash Sharma said that he was disappointed with the turnover of the public during the forum. However, he said the forum was informative as they were able to learn about the different views from the different party members.
“It was educative for the public as well,” he said.
The PDP candidate could not be contacted for his views.
Tashiding – Lhamoizingkha constituency in Dagana has 21,697 eligible voters.
The returning officer, Tshering Dorji of Tashiding – Lhamoizingkha constituency said that the common forum in Lhamoizingkha gewog ended yesterday, and today, the forum will start in Karmaling and then go on to Nichula gewog. On 21 May, the common forum will take place at Tsendagana gewog and then in Tashidingkha followed by Gesarling and Dorona gewogs.
There are seven gewogs under Tashiding – Lhamoizingkha constituency in Dagana, with 22 polling stations. A total of 976 postal ballots were received, but 203 were rejected.
The candidates will attend the common forum scheduled till 24 May.
Chencho Dema / Thimphu
