The Bhutanese Leading the way.
He continues his tour from Samtse and Phuentsholing in the south
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Tshering Tobgay completed the general elections campaign in his constituency, Sombaykha, Haa last week on 22 June after a five day tour. While the president was engaged in clarifications and pledges with the electorate throughout the tour, people across the constituency raised various issues.
Except for the first day, the president walked for four days covering almost all villages under his constituency. Although tired from the long walks and hikes, the president held a calm posture, interacting with voters across every village.
Speaking to a crowd of about 40 to 400 people who gathered at various stops, Tshering Tobgay expressed his gratitude to the voters for their support and requested to hold the same spirit during the general elections.
At every meeting, the president reiterated on the party pledges, touched on the PDP motto of Wangtse Chhirpel and made specific promises for certain villages.
Besides making clarifications on DPT’s allegations with regards to a coalition, the president said PDP has never been stronger with seven Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT) candidates joining the party on their own individual will. “In 2008, we had all the best candidates which have now been further strengthened,” he said.
The president reminded the people that Bhutan is a new democracy and had the world’s smallest opposition. “We had to keep a close watch on the government despite having only two members. We had to caution the government when they were wrong and we had to take them to court when they didn’t pay heed. It was difficult,” he said.
The president said voters should analyze if the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) has served well despite offering a huge opportunity with 45 members in the national assembly. “If they have served well, you should vote for them and if they have not done that, you must vote carefully,” the president said.
The president also said “change” in the system has become vital over the last years. He said people will not seek change if the government benefits the people. “Three new parties were formed to contest in 2013 and one main reason behind it is DPT’s incompetency or ignorance in serving the people of the country.” He also said the DNT candidates refused to join DPT because PDP and DNT had a lot in common such as party ideologies.
People across the constituency raised issues including lack of farm roads, irrigation, drinking water, census, land, educational and health facilities among many others.
After wrapping up his constituency tour on 22 June, the president met with people at Dumtoe under Samtse.
The president also talked to people in Gomtu and Phuentsholing before holding a press conference yesterday evening.
Minjur Dorji / Samtse
