The Bhutanese Leading the way.
The four political parties on the fray are in for a major contest for capable and charismatic candidates in a backdrop where there is a dearth of such.
However, the parties have not lost hope.
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) who lost badly in the 2008 elections feel that it needs to restore self- esteem in the party members to plunge headlong into another round of the game, shared the Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Damchoe Dorji.
“As of now we have 20 candidates, mostly ex-candidates and a few are new, but we are going to discuss further on this,” said Damchoe Dorji.
As for the ruling government, Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) is keeping the decision of selecting or letting off candidates of the National Assembly (NA) on hold for 90 days but at the moment, all the candidates are with still with the party.
“Maybe there would be some changes in the candidates but so far no one has come forward to join our party,” said the DPT secretary, Thinley Gyamtsho.
While talking to the third party, the spokesperson Dr Tandi Dorji said that till now they have not concretized anything about the selection of candidates but the field will remain open.
Right now, their core working group consists of 12 members.
“We have approached around 20 candidates and their joining us will be finalized around June.”
Druk Mitser Tshogpa who has not decided on a party logo is going to meet soon. “Right now, we have around 12 core members working with us,” said party worker JN Sharma.
DPT is now planning to scrutinize party workers at the gewog and chiwog levels who have to register once again.
Meanwhile, DPT has already cleared off all debts except those to be paid to the print media.
PDP is on shakier grounds with regard to this.
“We do not have money to repay,” said MP Damchoe Dorji, “And we are looking out for sponsors and members who are willing to contribute.”
PDP members had requested former party president Sangay Ngedup to come back and lead the party but according to them, he declines every time. “May be he still feels he is responsible for the party’s defeat in the 2008 elections,” said a PDP member.
