The Bhutanese Leading the way.
The Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) introduced the party’s last five candidates at a press conference in the capital on Thursday. The party now has all its 47 candidates.
Among the five names declared, one is Jigme Tshultim, 37-year-old, who replaces his father the former National Assembly (NA) Speaker Jigme Tshultim, to contest as the candidate from Radhi – Sakteng constituency in Trashigang. His candidature announcement was made on 2nd May at the DPT office.
During the DPT Executive Committee Meeting held last week in the capital, the former Speaker Jigme Tshultim, stepped down as the candidate from Radhi- Sakteng constituency despite the party re-nominating him.
Jigme Tshultim, 37, for Radhi-Sakteng
Holding a bachelor’s degree in legal science (law) from Mumbai Law College, India, Jigme Tshultim is a founding member of the DPT, and member of the DPT Paro Youth Wing. He has extensively visited the Radhi-Sakteng constituency while accompanying his father.
“I have felt the pulse of the people, and I know what they need,” he said.
After serving in the militia, he opened the Bhutan Tantric Adventures, and was also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of “Drukpa” magazine published by Vanguard Publication that was eventually closed down due to some reason.
Karma D. Wangdi, 43, for Gelephu
Karma D. Wangdi, the former National Council (NC) member of Sarpang will stand for the NA seat from Gelephu constituency in Sarpang. He will replace the former DPT MP Prem Kumar Gurung who resigned due to health problems.
While in the NC, Karma D. Wangdi was the Chairperson of the International Relations & Security Committee and the member of Legislative Committee.
Prior to joining politics, he was the Deputy Director of Information and Communications Division of the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) for two years. He rose through the ranks in BCCI, managing crucial World Bank and European Union Projects, and strengthened the information & communication network. He brought forth major human resource development in the private sector.
The 43-year-old has a bachelor’s of art (economics) degree from Sherubtse College, Kanglung, and a postgraduate degree in IT from University of Technology in Sydney, Australia. He also has postgraduate diploma in management control & management information systems from Maastricht School of Management, the Netherlands.
Namgye Penjore , 47, Kabisa-Talo Constituency
The former NC Chairperson will contest for the NA seat as the DPT candidate from Kabisa-Talo constituency in Punakha.
During the recent Executive Meeting of the DPT, the former MP of Kabisa-Talo, Tshering Penjor said that one should give way if a better candidate comes along.
“For the good of the party which always placed the national interest ahead, I am stepping down as the representative, and I know that Namgye Penjore will do equally, if not more than what I have done. The people of Kabisa-Talo are lucky,” he said.
The 47-year-old has a bacholer’s degree in commerce from Sherubtse College, Kanglung, and a master’s degree in business (marketing and finance) from MP Birla Institute of Management Studies in Bangalore University, India.
Before contesting in the NC Elections in 2008, Namgye Penjore was the General Manager of Bhutan Power Corporation (BPC). He was elected after beating his opponents in a landslide victory in Punakha. Of the 6,922 votes cast in 2008, he secured 3,509 votes.
He was elected as the NC Chairperson through a secret ballot among the members. He secured 13 out of the 25 votes cast.
Namgye Penjore was conferred with the Blue Scarf by His Majesty the King on being elected as the NC Member from Punakha, honored with the Coronation Gold Medal in 2008, and awarded the Orange Scarf by His Majesty the King on having been elected as the NC Chairperson.
Dr. Sonam Wangyel Wang, Lingmukha-Toedwang
Dr Sonam Wangyel Wang, the former Director of Royal Education Council (REC) will contest as the party’s candidate from Lingmukha-Toedwang constituency in Punakha.
Thinley Palden Dorji, Kanglung- Samkhar
Thinley Palden Dorji is the new candidate, in place of the former DPT Lyonpo Minjur Dorji, for Kanglung-Samkhar constituency in Trashigang.
After graduating with a degree in business administration from the European University in Belgium in 1997, Thinley Palden Dorji worked in Bhutan National Bank (BNB).
He resigned from BNB after working for five years. He also worked as the Managing Director of RSA Pvt. Ltd., and resigned recently to join politics.
This is the type of unbiased reporting we expect from any journalist worth his salt.
I hope DPT knows what they are doing. sonam wangyel and Jigme Tshultim should have been the last people in the world to have been given tickets.