Let me approach this subject by introducing the influence of foreign forces into Bhutanese General Election.
Today I came across in fb an article dated 13th October, 2018 in Bhutan News Service authored by RP Subba now settled in America. He is described as a Political analyst of Bhutan Politics and a columnist at Bhutan News Service which is a News Outlet set up by anti- Bhutan establishment outside Bhutan.
Placed below is a paragraph which is part of a lengthy article by RP Subba dealing with General Election of Bhutan. Quite enlightening I should add.
Quote " Diaspora Connection.
The existence of a nearly hundred thousand strong Bhutanese diaspora is a natural turf which provides a natural ground for social interaction among the Bhutanese community far and wide. They are talking and discussing elections with their friends and relatives in Bhutan. The soft power that transpires in these interactions, though not strategically planned, can exert significant influence, which can swerve voter choices in an election season. The power of social dynamics probably cannot be measured or surveyed but they cannot be dismissed either. Political counsel received from good folks living in the diaspora can penetrate the ballot box in Bhutan, and the impact can be really large. A southern Bhutanese living in the diaspora believes that the democracy which is introduced in Bhutan is born of the struggle and sacrifices he has made. The ‘ownership’ of an enterprise called ‘Bhutanese democracy’ is important to him, and he sees it happening when he participates in these elections, though indirectly and emotionally. Therefore, the need for him to establish a relationship with the politics of the motherland becomes a social need. It is only through such connections and participation that he can speak to his past identity and history." Unquote.
The writer goes on to say that DNT is a Party which has guranteed the use of Nepali as an official language in Bhutan and also to introduce a Nepali language BBS TV channel. And coupled with other pledges, it is a grassroot Party. And DPT as well as PDP are termed Parties of the elites because both were started by two personalities who were born " with golden spoons in their mouth". RP Subba believes that both DPT and PDP are political Parties which believe in ruling from top to bottom ( monarchial style I think ). And he determines DNT as a Party ruling from bottom to top ( socialist style I think ).
I personally do not see any such differences in being monarchial or socialist among the Bhutanese political Parties. And there is no chance of nepali the main language of the nation of Nepal becoming an official language in the Kibgdom of Bhutan. The majority of Bhutanese are for preserving and promoting distinctive Bhutanese national culture and tradition. In addition to Dzongkha, English is adopted as another official language only because of its international application.
RP Subba contends that both 2008 and 2013 election results were dictated by the influence of anti- nationals ( diaspora as per his term) living abroad through the Lhotsampa population in South Bhutan. And suggests that likewise 2018 result will be determined by Lhotsampa votes for DNT.
We are aware that Bhutanese social media is full of fake account holders. And they have attacked all Parties and have not even spared the Monarchy. These come in all shapes in fb posts from fake Bhutanese women and men profiles and in recorded video clips. The objective is to create suspicion and disharmony among the two ethnic races of Bhutan those in the East and that of the West. The ultimate goal seems to be vengeance for the illegal immigrants' unsuccessful uprising of 1989- 1990 in Southern Bhutan.
Whether voters are from the East, West or South of Bhutan, we all must be attentive to disrupting forces from the outside be these comprise of anti- national kind whose main goal is to topple the Monarchy or that of India and China who think they have a stake in Bhutanese election outcome and policy direction.
The present political scenario provides fertile grounds for anti- Bhutan players. I think Bhutan would be well advised to correct the present constitutional democracy system. We need an outside intervention proof political administrative system.
The two political parties DNT and DPT contesting in the General Election are Bhutanese Political Parties and their respective 47 constituency candidates are Bhutanese just like any of us. A lot of the candidates and their families are even related. How could we so recklessly and blindly determine that they, their families and supporters are either for or against the King? Our distrust and suspicion springs from seeds of foreign intervention. We at the grassroot, at intellectual mid level and at the top leadership are subtly being converted into gullible victims of politics of disharmony and disruption within our own Kingdom. This disastrous trend must be arrested before we drown in self fear and hate
Bhutan is only a small pool. There is no place for too many big fish to swim. Not even a popular Prime Minister and a deeply reverred constitutional hereditary King. The political arena is just not wide enough to sufficiently accomodate two prominent power houses. When two sumo giants are put in a small circle, there will be bumps and frictions. Do not blame the wrestlers but realise that the smallness of the circle restricts gentle manoeuvres.
Therefore, lets be practical. We need the institution of Monarchy or else our Political Parties may barter our sovereignty for freebee funds from India or China. So first and foremost, we must strengthen the institution of Monarchy whilst honouring the will of the voters. Lets choose a midddle path governance system by amalgamating the system adopted in 1998 by the 4th King and the democratic Party governance system introduced in 2008.
After this General Election, the Parliament must empower His Majesty the King to select the cabinet minister candidates from amongst the elected MPs. Also it must be mandatory to regionally balance the cabinet appointees. It should be also mandatory to appoint the President of the Political Party with largest number of MPs as the Prime Minister and grant the first choice of the Ministry to the President of minority Political Party with additional deputy Prime Minister designation. And divide Ministrial berths in proportion to the MP strength of the two Parties.
In other words, adopt a coalition government system with more say by the King in cabinet formation as in identifying balance ministers and their portfolios. And in the Parliament, do away with the present distinct system of Ruling Party and Opposition Party. Seating in the Parliament should be determined by drawing lots except for cabinet rank MPs in the front row. .
Let MPs debate and decide freely on any issues presented to the National Assembly by the Cabinet. Majority voice or vote will be the deciding factor. The proposals of the Cabinet will be tampered by the wisdom of MPs in the National Assembly which will be further guided by the apolitical National Council. And where necessary the Joint houses forming the Parliament presided over by the King instead of the Speaker can take the call. That procedure also saves the Royal Assent formality.
Such a system will truly represent the interest of the nation rather than that of Political Parties. The Monarchy institution will not feel challenged by a people elected Political Party or a Cabinet selected by a Prime Minister. Both the Cabinet and the King must be binded in spirit and goal to serve the people and Druk Yul.
The prevailing tuck of war kind of administration of the nation between the King and elected government and further fuelled by outside forces if not checked now will destroy the Tsawa Sum in the near future. The Monarchy will not have a throne to call its own seat and we the Bhutanese people will not have a sovereign nation to call our own home. Both could end up possessing only semblance of what are rightfully and wholly ours.
The one people , one nation and one King inspirational call is becoming a false flag of hope under the present political scenario. Instead of the Bhutanese People and the Bhutanese King calling the shots, we are becoming tools of other forces in managing our national affairs. Our political Parties are being transformed into conduits of power channel for anti- national forces and big neighbours who presume that Bhutan is their priviledged turf to play around.
I hope and pray that His Majesty the King and the whole honourable institution of Monarchy, the Dratsang, the 4 Political Parties and the People of all regions and races of Bhutan will take a precious step to consider and formulate a system of national administration that reassures the King and his heirs the hereditary position and duties of the Wangchuck Dynasty. And at the same time enable the King, the royal subjects and the royal Bhutan Political Parties to join forces together to serve in unity and in unision for accommplishing the national goals of prosperity, peace and sovereign dignity of the Kingdom of Bhutan. Palden Drukpa Gyel Lo!
Way forward solution indeed before outside forces accomplish their goal of divisiveness ? Dasho JT
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