PM denies rumors of him withdrawing and says he will re-contest for the 2023 general elections

For some time now there have been rumors that the Prime Minister Dasho (Dr) Lotay Tshering may not seek a second term by stepping down in 2023. This rumor had been actively discussed among various other rival parties.

There were also some within the DNT who were starting to wonder as the PM did not speak on the issue for a while.

However, during the 47^th Meet-The-Press, Dasho (Dr) Lotay Tshering quashed the rumors and said that he will be re-contesting his seat for the next 2023 General Elections since major reforms have been started, and leaving it halfway looks irresponsible.

The Prine Minister said it all started with the acceptance speech at the 2018 party convention when he accepted the presidency. The Prime Minister said as he said then he still strongly believes that if he is not able to fulfill his goals in five years then additional years can’t make it happen and similarly, the goals cannot be fulfilled in another term as well so why come back.

“But now, deep down I personally feel that from the democratic point of view, it is not fair to not re-contest. I am not satisfied and, on that note, I am not saying, I must or I should but to leave just like that breaks my heart. Major reforms have been initiated and leaving it halfway might seem irresponsible or if I say I don’t want to participate and later if I did then that will make me look irresponsible. So rather I choose to be less irresponsible,” said the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister said due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were a lot of things they couldn’t do.  However, he said it was also an opportunity to know His Majesty’s outstanding leadership inside out.

“My mindset during the beginning of the governance versus now is changed entirely, as well as my approach to governance too,” said the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister said at the end of the day, everyone wishes for peace and satisfaction in life, “I am getting a lot of peace from the governance, and I am equally or more satisfied spending 16 to 18 hours a day in an operation theatre. I miss life in operation theatre getting but I am also getting to serve governance at this level.”

“However, should there be a better person, I don’t mind giving away the Prime Ministership for the remaining crucial one year to the person who is better than me,” said the Prime Minister.