The Bhutanese Leading the way.
Addressing a gathering in Mongar, the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) president said that, women too, can be better politicians and cited the example of the DPT candidate from Mongar constituency, Karma Lhamo, touted for having the required quality to become a minister.
“If someone says men are better politicians, he/she is not an intelligent person,” said the DPT president.
It would seem from comments above that the DPT president is on a drive to promote gender neutrality as a pivotal stratagem of the party. Such moves come after DPT was informed that Jigme Zangpo from Mongar constituency has reportedly been saying he will become a ministerial candidate, and that DPT candidate, Karma Lhamo shows no such capabilities.
The DPT president was, therefore, countering the remarks made by the PDP candidate from the same constituency.
The Bhutanese talked to people of the constituency to gauge the DPT MP’s popularity and possible victory as promoted by the DPT party president.
“The DPT candidate, Karma Lhamo benefited us a lot in her five years as a MP, and she might do the same in the coming years also,” said Dema, a 39-year-old resident from Wengkhar.
Similarly a woman in her 60s, Pemo said, “Karma Lhamo has the potential and given the experience she has acquired during her term as a MP, she might do better if given another five years.”
Some of the voters there have not voted just based merely on party candidate of the constituency.
“I had voted for the DPT and its candidate in the primary round, and it would be the same in the general round too,” said Tshering Dorji, a 60-year-old villager.
Meanwhile there were others who are supporting the PDP candidate.
Tenzin Dorji, 40, from Yukpugang had voted for Jigme Zangpo in the primary round as he found Jigme Zangpo to have the better experience to represent the people than the DPT candidate.
Karma Lhamo has a bachelor’s degree with a major in psychology and PGDE in teaching. She also taught economics before she resigned to contest in Bhutan’s first parliamentary elections in 2008.
She was the Chairperson of Women and Children Committee of National Assembly, and a member of Legislative Committee in Parliament. She was also elected the Vice-President (Women’s Affairs) of DPT at the Party Convention this year.
DPT has five female candidates including Karma Lhamo.
They are Rebecca Gurung, 47, the DPT candidate from Norbugang gewog (Chengmari) in Samtse who has a bachelor’s degree in architecture, Cheki Wangmo the party candidate from Thrimshing-Kangpara of Trashigang, Lila Pradhan, the DPT candidate from Ugyentse-Yoeseltse constituency in Samtse and Norbu Wangzom, 32, representing Jomotshangkha-Martshala constituency in Samdrup Jongkhar. She is the first female graduate from her village located in one of the most remote gewogs in Bhutan.
Chencho Dema/ Thimphu
