The Bhutanese Leading the way.
The Opposition Leader has been elected as the new DPT president
Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) president Jigmi Y Thinley on Tuesday made way for Opposition Leader (OL) Dr Pema Gyamtsho to fill in his position.
Having served for six years with his party, former Prime Minister Jigmi Y Thinley officially announced his resignation during the party’s11th executive committee meeting held in Thimphu.
He told the gathering that it would be wise to have a new president if the party wishes to remain strong instead of one individual heading the party for so long. “For new things to happen, a leader should be replaced,” he added.
He also mentioned that he served the country for so long and the knowledge and capability he had, he emptied them in doing so.
“Though I am resigning, my faith, respect and loyalty for the party would never diminish,” he said.
OL Dr Pema Gyamtsho was elected as the new president after securing 50 “yes” and a single “No” vote.
The party also elected threevice presidents to take up the responsibilities of Parliamentary and legal affairs, economic policies and the party as an institution.
A lone candidate each for three vice presidents was also nominated.
National Assembly representative Dorji Wangdi from Pangbang constituency secured 50 ‘Yes’ votes with 1 ‘No’ to became the vice president and will look after party organization.
Member of Parliament (MP) Kinga Tshering secured 49 “yes” votes of the total 51 and shall take care of economic policies.
Securing 51 “yes”, the Dremetse-Ngatsang representative, Ugyen Wangdi, was elected the vice president for Parliamentary and legal issues.
Dr Pema Gyamtsho said the occasion caused mixed feeling. “It was a proud moment to be given the responsibility, while at the same time, there was fear of having to live up to people’s expectations,” he said.
“However, with three vice presidents and the support from other candidates and members, we have a strong team,” he said, adding they would continually seek advice from the former senior ministers.
Dr Pema Gyamtsho said while the Opposition would not oppose just for the sake of opposing, they would be cautious not to take it for granted, for one wrong policy could ruin the country.
Besides, he informed the gathering that MPs serving in the assembly shall now meet up every Tuesday to discuss issues and acting accordingly.
Opposition members were also assigned the task to look after issues pertaining to different ministries and agencies.
Jigmi Y Thinley said DPT appeared stronger than before. “Now people will judge PDP’s performance,” Jigmi Y Thinley said. He said the country was up for good choice in 2018, between two strong parties with experience as both ruling and opposition.
In his closing statement, Jigmi Y Thinley reminded the party supporters and candidates to serve the Tsa-Wa-Sum at their best as the King, people,and the country are equally important.
“The day DPT’s faith in either of these weakens, DPT would be a disloyal tshogpa,” he said.
In order to have DPT’s offices in 20 dzongkhags to function, 10 percent of elected members’ salaries were contributed towards the party office.
“The 15 serving Opposition members would be given the task to make the party’s presence felt in all 47 constituencies,” MP Kinga Tshering said. Each of the MPs, he said will cover more than three constituencies.
Mp Ugyen Wangdi said it was because of senior ministers being in the party that all its members have now emerged strong.
Coordinators from 12 dzongkhags were present in the meeting and almost all of them committed their support for the party and keep the office functioning despite financial constraints.
