DNT complain against a DPT lady candidate ( courtesy kuensel 8th October, 2018 edition )

So this lady dared to touch upon the pitiful situation of Bhutanese particularly women
having children born out of wedlock or from foreign fathers. And DNT Party has appealed to ECB to disqualify her candidature and thereby I guess oust the DPT Party by default from the election contest. Actually I am not bothered whether EBC declares DPT out or in. But the shame of  this issue being  so sensitive  in our gifted democracy is a huge concern.

What about DNT pledge to pay new born baby mothers? Payment based on mother's and baby's plights ? Or father's status? 

Thank you Bhutanese lady for raising this gross inequality and the curse of the wombs situation. Since a complete foreigner can receive Bhutanese  citizenship, I pray that children of Bhutanese parenthood father or mother also be granted citizenship at birth. How does the nation's conscience live with this cruel segregation policy? Surely Bhutanese citizen too have some rightful claim upon our beloved Kingdom.

What is democracy and basic human right if a Bhutanese mother cannot call her own son and daughter Bhutanese? If given a choice, a Bhutanese mother would surely prefer grant of citizenship to her child than the gift of vote in the name of democracy. What value is voting right when a Bhutanese mother is not granted the legal right to call her offspring Bhutanese?   

We all know that grant of citizenship is royal prerogative. But royal prerogative is generally exercised for national interest. And people including women make a nation.  So is it really a constitutional crime to hope and pray that royal prerogative be exercised to eradicate this utter painful insult to Bhutanese parenthood especially motherhood in Bhutan the land of everyone elses's happiness but such mothers and their children?   

Kuensel pointed out that this plight was also a consideration in PDP Party manifesto. Thank you PDP. It is a paramount duty of a democratic government to correct such social class and gender bias and injustice through submission of such Kidu to His Majesty for overall considerations.  

Common DNT!  Babies come out of the viginas of Bhutanese mothers. Does Bhutanese authority need more proof than this to register the census  of the baby?  DNT must incorporate this issue as part of  bridging the gap between people's rights and privileges? Does elite mothers and fathers face such citizenship problems for their foreign fathered or mothered offsprings? Perhaps not. Maybe their spouses are eligible for citizenship. 

As for upsurping royal privilege and extra constitutional issues, consider the following.

a) DPT supporters seeking a different King in July, 2013 in video of their convention.

b) Before that PDP President pledging pay raise for Army during 2013 Presidential debate.

c) In Presidential debate 2018, DNT President proposing  All Political Parties Meet  to ensure that " King abdicates at the age of 65 in 2045 ".

A democratic goverment of whichever Party must work  towards ensuring facilitation of royal considerations for such painful difficulties that Bhutanese parenthoods are being subjected to. 

        

   

The 2018 General Election outlook.

In 2013, one major reason of PDP win was the solid turnover of DNT cream candidates to PDP in the General Election. They not only won their constituencies but also all became Cabinet Minister ranking in PDP government. 

In this Primary, DPT won 22 constituency seats with around 90000 votes.  And DNT with PDP won 25 constituencies with around 160000 votes. And this was followed by  strong rumours that PDP leaders were asking supporters to back DNT against DPT in the General Election.

Some PDP supporters were baffled by the sudden teaming up  as DNT President had even challenged PDP President as in " may need to  ruffle up by the neck "  and threatened PDP Party with " blooodshed and chaos "  in 2023 if PDP won the 2018 election. Also DNT did not accept any PDP candidates into the Party fold for the final round. Still politics is politics. It lacks definite characters and therefore undergoes changes like monsoon weather.

By fate of fortune or misfortune, DNT stuck to the same candidates of Primary election though it had quite a few clear  winners in PDP candidates. I had  thought DNT would have a sure chance of winning if few PDP candidates were absorbed into DNT. And blogged about such a suggestion even though DNT President had already ruled it out. Such a winning combination seemed worthwhile a second consideration. But there was no reconsideration.  I wonder if DNT Party had  miscalculated into the 2nd place.  But my take is only a personal view not a field study of voter mood. And DNT could very well have a hidden strategy.

Unless some unforseen change of situation snatch away DPT votes, it is unthinkable that DPT would be unable to add another 2 constituencies to its Primary 22. It could even add several more for a comfortable majority.  

DNT had 16 constituencies in its pocket and there were 8 PDP constituencies  excluding Sombaykha.  The magic number of 24 constituencies with over 160000 votes were all there on a golden platter. But Dr. Lotay chose to walk alone possibly for two personal reasons.

1. Looks like the two Party Presidents have more personality clash than commonality.  One is receipant of Lumar scarf from His Majesty and other the Druk Thusey Medal.  The two seemed in equal royal favour and thus "  the clash of the Titans ". So it seems that DNT President did not want the shadow of PM TT hovering over his Party pie. Protecting turf is denying any role  direct or indirect to the  competitor. 

2. Also secondly,  the DNT President was possibly lulled into a false sense of superior zone. He thought he could handle all. He had unexpectedly done superbly well in comparision to BKP President.  His air of infallability was reinforced by the thumping  Primary win. He failed to recognise that during the Primary, neither PDP nor DPT seriously attacked DNT. The two seasoned Party Presidents did not want to offend DNT supporters. 

PDP was quite confident of grassroot support and DPT must have had a good take of its support base. So both were confident of coming through the Primary as winners. Thus they were careful not to offend supporters of BKP and DNT. Good will is crucial for General Election. In fact both DPT and PDP  Presidents werw only defending their respective Party's past track record and laying out future plans during the Primary. DPT President  was not even attacking PDP directly. This tactic of passivity might pay off in this final round.

Leadership:
Leadershipwise, Lyonpo Pema Gyamtsho is ofcourse well experienced to withstand the heat of election fireballs. DPT has been called all names and levelled all accusations. And he has been attacked from all sides. Moreover, he has had to navigate his leaderdhip as Party President and Opposition Leader under close watch of much more experienced and senior leaders and other able MP members. There is nothing worse than be branded disloyal and anti- King in a Kingdom where the King represent in essence the Tsawa Sum. So he has seen it all, heard it all, burdened under all. Thus DNT cannot fire any salvos that would un- nerve the DPT President . He has been cool as ever and approached the West, South and East with similar hope and confidence. And extreme North the highlanders is his Phd. home environment.

Dr. Lotay Tshering is several months into DNT Party Presidencyship. He was hauty and aggressive during Primary Election firing  much of his salvos at PM Tshering Tobgay the President of PDP Party. His anti- establishment rhetorics and above all his high flying proposal of no exams and no merit standard  for students till class XII caught the fascination of many parents who had school going children.  Both rhetoric and pledge  did wonders to eliminate PDP from the race.

Then in the ongoing final general round, things took not a u turn but definitely an unexpected turn and the new DNT leader found the going hard. He was reported to have choked with emotion  whilst recounting allegations against him at Drametse, Monger in front of 30 people audience( courtesy Kuensel ). Maybe the meagre attendance un- nerved him  The doctor who in all his professional life was used to humilities of folded hands and respectful bows of patients and relatives who were totally at the mercy of his kindness and professional skill as a urology  surgeon could not digest the " arrogrance " of those who dared to challege his authority and questioned his political knowledge.  His pledges were shredded as nothing but lies to deceive unwary voters.

It seems the good doctor had  naively  thought DNT manifesto was a " bible " beyond criticism and so he  complained bitterly that DPT Party was challenging DNT manifesto and calling for accountability. He just failed to comprehened that final round was fire under the pan. It is an irony of contradiction that he who publicly  issued threats to " ruffle up by the neck " or promised " bloodshed and chaos " was protesting attack on his pledges. Well Dr. Lotay learnt that  Political Party opponents are nothing like anesthetized motionless body on his surgery table. 

Dr. Lotay has much to learn and endure as a politician. He buckled under the election campaign's brimstone and fire attacks.  The Eastern tour took the wind out of him when the push came to shove. He declared that DNT had no hopes of winning in the East? What he said maybe a fact but a Party President owes it to the candidates and supporters who are bravely contesting in the fields, not to dash their hopes with such finality. Maybe his distraught has to do with his loyalty to his staunch backers Tenzin Lekhpell and Karma Dorji who face daunting challenges in the East. In  this I admire his loyalty.         

Party pledges:
The Parties' manifestos differs in context and substance. DNT emphasised on getting the opportunity to govern and closing rich poor gap relying mostly on freebees but no substantive indication of how or where it intents to lead the nation or close the gap. DPT dwelt on experience and achieving self reliance through improving and increasing hydro projects. And promised equity and justice for both poor and rich.

DNT attacked DPT hydro pledges as increasing national debt.  And cast doubts on DPT relationship with India the pivotal force behind Bhutan's hydro projects. Also PDP supporters have kept hammering upon the allegations that DPT Party was anti- Monarchy.

DPT Party in turn attacked the freebees offered by DNT as frivolous and unachievable or detrimental as follows:

a) The DNT pledge to provide assurred ladder to take students upto class XII without exams or set merit standard , suddenly became sure formula to failure in education quality. Turning out nuts ( lengos ) rather than talents ( yoentenchens )  after high school. Instead of helping children of poor families to acquire good education, the pledge was a lure to doomsday denying quality education to children of poor families who need good education to compete for limitted opportunities. Whilst the children of the rich only needed a paper degree obtained easily  by ladder ascent  because they do not need jobs to survive. Further this education pledge was also declared to be unconstitutional by DPT.  

2. DNT pledged 6 months wages to rural mothers of new born babies. Sounded great for securing rural votes. I would go for all mothers in national goal to increase population.  But on close scrutiny,  the irony is that rural Bhutan is mainly populated by elderly  people beyond child bearing age. The younger lots are in urban areas though their census are in their rural village. Most are working at some jobs. And they would not be covered by DNT pledge for those  living and working on farms in villages. 

3. The grand nationwide hospital plans just sounds too utopian and far off if promoted by anyone else. But professional zeal of Dr. Lotay does attract public enthusiasm. And Dr.Lotay can still count on the fruits of his surgery labour. His patients and their relatives would be with him. Not necessarily for his pledges but patients are grateful people by nature to their doctors. And they will repay his deeds of saving their lives or easing their pains with their votes. People largely appreciate the professional zeal of DNT President as a medical doctor and thus his popularity. 

Party prospects:
Both DNT and DPT candidates have respective captive votes in groups of family members,  relatives, friends in addition to many Party faithfuls and enemies of competing candidates. And there is the all valuable game changing PDP voters who may be still encouraged to vote against DPT. And margin influencing BKP supporters. So DNT prospect in the East may not be as bleak as made out to be by Party leadership. And DPT performance in the West and South may not be as dismissal as in the Primary. 

It all hangs on the stamina, endurance and insights of the two contesting political party leaderships .   Would the rather bruised and distraught DNT President be able to put together a last minute irresistable appeal to PDP supporters and  the crucial swing votes of BKP Party faithfuls. 

And how deep could Lyonpo Pema Gyamtsho and his DPT Party  penetrate the West and South. Would South give DPT the highway vote and can Sombaykha constituency give its DPT candidate a cabinet berth. Maybe Layaps and Lunaps would positively answer the SOS call of their once Phd home resident and  now the  DPT President. 

Ministerships:
I cannot predict cabinet posts for DNT or DPT candidates of other Dzongkhags. But Haa and Paro are close by and  near enough to hazard a guess. If DNT wins at the centre then North Haa DNT candidate  Dasho Ugyen Tenzing will be a sure cabinet member. And if Dasho Ugyen Tshering manages to surmount what looks an uphill task in North Paro, he too, will get cabinet berth.

And if DPT wins at the centre, its North Paro candidate former Local government chairman Phub Tshering will be a cabinet member if he comes through and he seems favoured to win. Now Haa has a different scene. I cannot imagine Dasho Ugyen Tenzing of DNT losing in North Haa. He has the Primary vote number and in addition PDP voters now freed from dedication to PM TT could also choose him purely on his seniority and proven ability. So I have had to evaluate the South Haa DPT candidate for a possible cabinet berth if DPT forms the Government. This possibility was spurred on  when I read that Lyonpo Pema Gyamtsho during his recent visit to Sombaykha had told that candidate Tshewang Rinzin was a DPT Party faithful since 2008 and present Treasurer of the Party. And that cabinet posts will be evenly distributed region wise.  Now the catch is will fellow South Haaps especially of Gakiling and Sombaykha stand by their native son as they did in supporting their other native son for NC?  So Haa as a Dzongkhag could get a consolation minister berth in either ruling Party cabinet though PM post has been lost for this term.    
 
Conclusion:
All said and done General Election may not turn out to be as exciting as Primary Election. As stated in the beginning, rejecting a winning combination formula by DNT could prove to be more costly  than what it would have personally cost Dr. Lotay Tshering to acknowledge the  help of President of PDP and his Party. But who can say for sure how it will shape out? Election is predictable until the evening when election  results flow in and then the time to bury heads in palms or throw up arms in the air in joy or bewilderment!     

             

Vote as a Bhutanese. Never in fear or favour or as surrogates of other nations.

If you feel purely a Bhutanese not just being born a Bhutanese or accorded a  citizenship, please love Bhutan for herself. Forgo the agony of regionalism, caste and race for one nation one people one King. When you choose DNT or DPT candidates in this 2018 General election, please base your choice purely on your feelings for the candidates or your preference for a particular Party. Never brand a fellow Bhutanese disloyal. Vote freely and forget   fear or favour of India or China. Be a Bhutanese at depth. 

For me the choice of Political Parties is over with Primary Election. Its now selection of candidates. I have no doubts about the loyalties and dedication of all candidates of the two Political Parties to the Tsawa Sum. So its a matter of abilities and experiences and a little bit of favouritism among similar capable candidates. 

I was wary of the gift of democracy and had expressed my reservation. Were all stakeholders ready for what true democracy entails I had thought aloud.  I also pointed out the merit and demerit of two Party final round election system  including the real possibility of denying the first choice of representation to a substantial section of Bhutanese population. And the scenario of the rise of one major Political Party as in 2008. This year we now realise that 1/3 of  Bhutanese populace majority of which are the voiceless rural population are denied their original and so the true choice of parliamentary representation. We practise in essence many aspects of limitted democracy system.  But final round two Party system must be honoured as long as it stays enshrined and not outcast from the constitution.

I have never questioned and never doubted the elected Political Party's legitimacy and mandate to govern the Bhutanese nation. I thank India for stating aloud her intent to respect the will of the Bhutanese people in this 2018 general election.  On my own part, I have as a   Bhutanese citizen held in full due respects the authority of  the  elected individuals in the constitutional posts of the Prime Minister, the Speaker, the Chairperson, the Opposition Leader, the Cabinet Minister and that of MP. They themselves would bear testimony to my deference.

I will always respect and remember the truely  dedicated visionary  Prime Minister Honourable Jigme Palden Dorji  and all Lyonpos under the reigns of Their Majesties the Third and Fourth Kings and I thank all democratic governnents' cabinet members especially Their Excellencies   Prime Ministers JYT and TT under the reign of present King for their sevices to Tsawa Sum.    

Whilst respecting the elected Political Party's mandate to govern, I have not hesitated to  express my differences in policies with both DPT and PDP Governments. And by fluke of providence, policies did get amended as in Tobacco Law which I initially termed  as " draconian " and Government approach towards  China ( I advocated end of subjugation by India)  during DPT Government. Under PDP Government, I was for delaying the process of Thromdes and Yenla Thromdes and approached the PM, the Speaker, the NC Chairperson and the Opposition Leader.  I also kept hammering on the need to soften the PDP  hardline China policy. Providence intervened and inadvisable policy of rapid urbanisation of rural society was put on hold. And for whatever reasons,  in the last leg of PDP rule, the government did soften its approach towards China.  I failed in efforts to save the construction of the Southern Bhutan Highway during PDP governance but I know Southern East- West  Highway is the heart vision of all Bhutanese except few amongst us who mistakenly  feel kinship with Indian conscience and objectivity. 

Frankly I  cannot imagine a truely sovereign Bhutan without the highway in the South and rapproachment with China in the North. What kind of a sovereign land is it that which has no road of its own to travel from West of the country to the East of the Country? What kind of sovereign land is it that which cannot cannot on its own exercise the right to establish full and friendly ties with its immediate neighbour? What kind of political leadership does a population of a sovereign state look for to lead the nation if not to foremost protect and promote the sovereign dignity and freedom of citizenship of a sovereign Kingdom?

It is possible to keep existing peacefully as at present under the thumb of India. As Ambassador Shiv Shankar Mukherjee said on Rajya Sabha TV, " the Bhutanese are comfortable being in such a position ".  That remark is similar to the one many Bhutanese elite families made when HM King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck commanded that the serf population be freed and resettled in different parts of the country  away from their traditional masters. The serfs are quite comfortable being looked after by their masters, why is the King bothering about the welfare of the serfs they grumbled. Even many serf families shared similar sentiment.   21st century Bhutan still has remnants of such sentiment filling the lazy hearts of few leaders and followers who cherish basking in the generosity  of India and hold on to present absolute India dependency.  Though we have in name a King and Kingdom, Bhutan is in all essence looked down upon as a princely state of India. Thats why Indian Army freely   marched into Doklam June, 2017 to secure her security interest claiming India was protecting her protectorate " Bhutan ".  And so many nations including Japan the second largest development Partner of Bhutan supported India's right to march into Doklam which is a disputed land between China and Bhutan. India has no claim of her own upon Doklam. Thats why at times  you come across Indian media or some personalities refer to our King as His Highness the Maharaja of Bhutan. Is this what Bhutanese really desire to continue to hang on?      

By the way, my rapproachment desire with China began as far back as 1971 as a high school senior when HM King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck granted the first audience to students of Ugyen Wangchuck Academy at Paro. I submitted, " Your Majesty, does it pay in the long term interest of Bhutan to adopt an antagonistic national  attitude towards China ? Why have our Army only guarding the northern border and not the Southern border? "

I am from the Valley of Haa which is protected  by the Deities GyoenTsebarme,  Miri-Phuensum and Ap Chhundu.  And I am probably one of the first youngster who was subjected to the acute agony of India- China hegemony tussle over Sino- Bhutan international boundary. No Bhutanese young or old should  ever have to go  through such frustratingly helplessness state.

I value and respect  both India and China but I just prefer and love Bhutan best. Therefore,  I am for good relationships with India and China. Ofcourse I am grateful to India for all development assistances in the last 60 or so years. I am myself a receipant  of India granted scholatship in junior schooling.   But as a citizen of sovereign Kingdom, I am also resentful with India for cocooning Bhutan as hers alone fiefdom. This imbalanced and highly India lopsided  status of 50 years of Bhutan- India political relationship is unacceptable. Must undergo reasonable and respectable changes. Get rid of Master- Serf status quo. Be the closest and  friendliest neighbours in true sense.   

I am a Bhutanese and subject of my King. I shall always respect the Constitution adopted in the sacred hall of Lord Buddha in Tashichhodzong by the Wangchuck Kings and elected Representatives of all the 20 Dzongkhags and 47 constituencies.    I am bonded to this solemn duty and responsibility by the King, the People and the Dharma. This is the reason why I raise my voice for a sovereign united nation as enshrined in the constitution. Free from outside domination and free from internal discrimination. May all Bhutanese find the reserve of strength to cherish and promote our own nationhood  before all other nations and over and above our other personal prejudices and affections.

PS.  Today is my birthday. And this is my tribute, dedication and pray to the Deities of Palden Drukpa in  celebration of  the fortune of being born in this heaven on earth beautiful Kingdom.

          

Bhutan Changing Political Equation - a Rajya Sabha TV programme of India.

In the programme,  there are three very individualistic but distinguished panelists selected from different social, political and intellectual spectrum of Indian think tanks. The programme seems to be specifically oriented towards Bhutan and Bhutanese people.. 

The Panelists composition represent the Indian Defence Forces in Rtd. Major General Ravi Arora who is also introduced as the Chief Editor of Indian Military Review. He seems to be also a military expert ; the professional administrative cadre and diplomatic corps of India is represented by India's former Ambassador to many nations including United Kingdom and  Nepal His Excellency Shiv Shankar Mukherjee.  He was the Indian Ambassador in Nepal when the Nepal King was deposed.  The academics and intellectuals are represented by Professor Sreeram Chaulia Phd. A very active intellectual in the Indian polity like the Ambassador.  The RStv host or anchor introduced the topic but more or less left it to the respective panelist to evoke their takes.

Several  fb friends had forwarded the tv clip and sought my views. I just did not  have time to study in detail and think over until now. Thank you for sharing the clip.It was very educative hearing such high confidence expert views and analysis  from the learned panelists.   

This is a rather heavy subject and it is not really for general fb friends whose attention span is restricted and also whose interest is short time Party politics. However, there are many well versed fb friends and others who are very familar with India-Bhutan friendship and related  politics and though their public views could differ, the private takeons could be quite similar to mine. Anyway I share with respects to all stakeholders my limitted but frank views. May we all benefit from honest exchanges.    

My Views:

Introduction:

By and large the panelists especially the two of  civilian origin presented a vastly improved and sophisticated long term approach to Indo- Bhutan relationship,  hereafter. It is much different from the Indian media tone during Doklam transgression by Indian Army into the disputed territory of Bhutan and China. I bring up this Doklam subject because all the three panelists and RStv anchor  dwelt upon it quite specifically but in true Indian prejudiced interpretation of the episode. I shall deal with this towards the conclusion.

1. Rajya Sabha is the Upper House of India and it is something like National Council of Bhutan but very much Party political oriented  and quite powerful. So comparision is only in sense of political organizational structure but incomparable in clout and composition plus leeways. I, therefore,  take this Rajya Sabha tv programme as being solely a message from the government of India to Bhutanese people, the Political Parties and the Institution of Monarchy. And it comes in stick and carrot form. There is , however, a conciliatory tone strengthened with some genuine sincerity.

2. Let me first state the stick form. The military expert  panelist shoots straight.
" We have not got the bang for the buck " he more or less aggrieved maliciously  and went on to chide Bhutanese behaviour and begger position versus India.  The threat is open and aggressive. Nothing couched in niceties and impossibly rude. He kind of puts Bhutan in the prostitude position and India as the man who paid for favour but did not get satisfied. It is at such times when listeners wished to be among the panelists and ask the Rtd. Major General if he took into account self virility deficiency in, " not getting  the bang for the buck ".  Afterall India has her own vital national reasons for both sweet and sour deals with Bhutan. And over the years,  Bhutan and her leadership and thereby the people have been reduced to sub- servient position in matters of self national determination and aspiration. 

Any way,  later the sauve anchor tried to shave off the edge of the crude phrase  " bang for the buck"  by suggesting to the Army fellow " you mean India did not get the full  returns for her investment in Bhutan ?"  The meaning was ok not the crudeness.

3. What I have deduced even before Doklam tragegy was that the Indian Army heirachy  has no regard for Bhutan Army except as its underling domino. This time the Indian Army General Bipin Rawat had unnecessarily included Bhutan when answering questions about Nepal not joining Bay of Bengal Initiatives joint Army exercise. Bhutan Army was  there.  The  General who thinks that Indian Army keeps the Bhutanese Throne intact as in " helping rulers rule " was quite conciliatory in tone towards Nepal Army conducting joint exercise with PLA of China after cancelling joint exercise in India. It seems unlike Bhutan Army, Nepal Army is funded by the Nepalese nation. General Bipin took extra pains to remind Bhutan along with Nepal of our geographical vulnerbilities if we cosied upto China and this was also  pointed out by the panelists. I think the General is yet to recover from Doklam stump. 

4. What we as Bhutanese must  know is that in India the Commander of Defence Forces is the President of India and the President does what the Prime Minister of India ask him to do. So what General Bipin Rawat  says or the insufferable attitudes that Indian Army officers like Rtd. Major General Arora  bears towards small dependent neighbours like Bhutan and Nepal, does not necessarily weigh all in terms of actual Indian policies. Unlike in Bhutan where His Majesty the King  has absolute  gracious  command over defence forces,  the Indian defence forces are subject to the authority of the elected Government. Therefore, I feel quite buoyed up by the softer and more comprehensive attitude and views of the two civilian panelists who would be in better position to gauge the prevailing  thinking and official mood of the Indian Government. They certainly would not be expounding such views over Rajya Sabha tv without some nod from certain government quarters. In any case they are heavy weights unto themselves..  

5. Ambassador Shiv Shankar Mukherjee directly disapproved of the tone of approach adopted by the Rtd. Major General Ravi Arora. He said such transactional approach was inadvisable because this makes Bhutan feel vulnerable and therefore susceptible to Chinese overtures and deep pockets. I think as a very seasoned career  diplomat,  he was perhaps offended or embarrassed by the term " bang for the buck ".  And moreover, as a very shrewed diplomat he knows that in an era where China is giving away billions of dollars with no string attached, it would be grievious mistake for India to tell the Bhutanese Prime Minister and worse the King that Bhutan is just too dependent on Indian largessee of billions of rupees.

One can get the picture between billions of dollar grant given by China to many small nations and billions of rupees smaller portion of which is in grant form and much larger portion in hydro  loans at out of standard 10% interest by India to Bhutan. No other nation charges such exorbitant interests. Worse than commercial banking.   In fact I remember reading an article by a Bhutanese about India getting  loans from Countries like Japan and world financial institutions like IMF and Word Bank at 1% to 2% interest  with repayment schedule stretched over 50 years period. So literally India is reaping huge profit in financing hydroprojects in Bhutan. India has monopoly over Bhutanese rivers and makes Bhutan subsidize her monopoly over Bhutan's only premier natural resource the rivers of Bhutan. Thats generally termed as having the cake and eating it too.

6. It would be naive on part of Bhutanese people to think that the Rtd. Major General and the other two panelists were only speaking their own minds. They are individualistic in approach but have common allegiance. One does not get called to Rajya Sabha tv programme to voice out only personal views especially at a time when PDP Party the deemed pro India Party in Bhutan was unexpectedly defeated in the first round of the two tier national elections. So what Rtd. Major General said about India " not getting the bang for the buck " is a warning.  And it seems similar tone in the past had got Bhutanese leadership to crawl under. The Indian Army commanders know what size of  bullets are to be fired at Bhutanese establishment. Moreover, retired maybe as professional soldier but he is very actively engaged with the Indian Army and he is a worthy expert on Indian defence strategies and the mood of warring group in India. Sometimes Bhutanese leaders must learn to flick off such warnings so that these are not repeated again by India. Easy to scare is easy to manipulate.   

7. The Ambassador seems well versed in the Bhutanese affair. And so is the the ex- Army General.  The professor does not seem to have an indepth nitty gritty knowledge of Bhutanese in particular. But he is well versed in the geo- politics of the region and he is incredibly deeply insighted and foresighted. That made me look him up in the internet. Infact I would suggest readers to look up all three panelists. 

I shall quote them, hereunder, so that readers can get the wholesome picture from the horses' mouths as the saying goes. 

A) Ambassador Shiv Shankar Mukherjee stated:

i) No need to point out dependency of Bhutan on India. The Bhutanese people are well aware of the situation and they are comfortable with this.

ii) The elephant in the room is China. Whatever India wants to achieve, it has to be done with the willing co-operation on the Bhutanese side. India has to be sensitive and generous to counter Chinese influence. 

iii) India should  not look at Bhutan as a very dependant Country which cannot do without India. India should counter Chinese influence upon Bhutan and should stave off China breathing down on Indian neck.  

iv) India should not make Bhutan seem vulnerable by the transactional approach. That would make Bhutan open up to Chinese overtures and their deep pocket.  Inadvisable to deploy the transactional approach upon Bhutanese or other small neighbours. These small countries have high sesitivity feelings  for self sovereignty. 

B) Professor Sreeram Chaulia stated:

i) Democracy was intriduced in Bhutan by the King but he has not given up all the levers. The King is the fulcrum. ( a similar  view was also expressed at another Indian TV channel. It was said that the King is the pivotal force ).

ii) India must provide room to Bhutan to achieve her aspiration. India cannot prevent any neighbour including Bhutan from joining for example BRI. Both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka with whom India enjoys close ties have already joined BRI. India should not conduct relations with Bhutan based on Political Party preference.  He also pointed out aspects favouring India such as China having  territorial claims on Bhutan whilst India does not.

iii) When the Major General alleged that Bhutanese youths do not like Indians the Professor countered  by stating that if youths of Bhutan seem anti- Indian then India must move to change such feeling through providing scholarships and other grass root involvement to win over the youths and people in general. He also pointed out that Bhutan has Lamaism religion akin to Tibet.  And the fact that Tibetan exile government and Dalai Lama are housed in India. He said that there are ways to foster closer ties and trust through Tibetan institutions in India and what happened to Tibet the nation next to Bhutan. (In other words pepper Bhutanese society with Tibetan culture and phobia for China. In saying so he seems to be aware of few  Bhutanese of Tibetan origin siding with India against China to the detriment of Bhutanese national interests during Doklam transgression). In a nutshell the professor believes  Bhutan has such a small population and it should not be difficult to mould them the Indian way. ( The learned Dr. Chaulia maybe underestimating  the Bhutanese psycology but  who can say for sure. We do have those who thrive on freebees.)       

iv) India must take a multi- facet approach towards Bhutan and accommodate Bhutanese aspirations. India must not look at Bhutan under the shadow of Chinese prism.

He confirmed  that Indian Government was already in contact with all relevant political Party leaders and authorities in Bhutan after the Primary Election result. India was ready to work with any Political Party in Bhutan.  

C) Rtd. Major General Ravi Arora made the following dubious statements. Therefore, I have put my  clarifications in bracket against each of his statement.   

i) That India had prevented Bhutan from giving away territitory to China.

( The fact is that India prevented Bhutan from signing  the Border Agreement with China as far back as 1992- 1994 because of her strategic interest in Doklam. There was even a much larger land swap proposal  in central Bhutan-China border with smaller land portion at North-West Bhutan-China border in Bhutan's favour.

The Doklam tri-junction lies in South - West of Bhutan- China border at the southern most tip of Chumbi valley of Tibet. And Doklam was never part of the land swap proposal. In fact, Bhutan wanted to leave out the issues of the tri-junctions both at South-West of Bhutan and North- East of Bhutan bordering both India and China. These tri- junctions issues would only delay forever a Sino- Bhutan border deal covering  north Bhutan international border with China.. Nepal too had wisely left out the tri-junctions.  But India has been persistant and to borrow the phrase of the  panelists " breathing down Bhutan neck " ).
   
ii) That during Doklam crisis,  Bhutan informed India of Chinese entry into Doklam and then ownwards, the two countries worked in tandem successfully.

( How could Bhutan inform India about the entry of Chinese troops at tri-junction spot in Doklam? Indian Troops are stationed on the Sikkim side of Doklam only 150 metres away from the Chinese seasonal camp whilst Bhutanese border guard camp is 2 or so Kms away from both Chinese and Indian Camps at Doklam. Infact Indian troops had moved into Doklam by 5th June according to some Indian media  much before all the public  noise began after 15th June, 2017.  Maybe unsuspecting Chinese Army had not sent border patrols regularly because all was usually tranquil at the desolate tri- junction. So perhaps Indian troops were able to move in quietly unopposed. No one was there at site  to oppose or witness. 

It may have appeared to the outside world that Bhutan was working in tandem with India during so called Doklam stand off between India and China. Actually it was a standoff between 3 nations. We know that  Bhutan issued a demarche to the Chinese Embassy in Delhi, I think,  on 20th June, 2017 requesting China  to " maintain the status quo ".  There was also a press meet by Bhutanese Ambassador in New Delhi reiterating the same status quo call. Many would have assumed that Bhutan was asking China not to extend the motor road as alleged by India. I also thought so in the beginning. But then Bhutan maintained absolute public silence after that. In between the Bhutanese Ambassador in India attended a Chinese Embassy function in Delhi marking an occassion to do with PLA.

As the silence continued and Indian high level diplomatic and security  teams frequented China to negotiate withdrawl, it dawned upon me that perhaps the demarche indirectly told  China to maintain the status quo of having no third country force at the Bhutan- China disputed Doklam. I am just guessing !  Bhutan herself was and still is  in no position to tell Indian Army off. She could have been easily choked off by India.  No wonder China started  threatening India in no uncertain terms since the demarche! What really happened is anybody's guess. Maybe Bhutanese aothority  co-operated with both China and India in Bhutan's interest.  

Well politics may be every politician game but the Wangchuck Kings of Bhutan have been at such survival games for over a century be it the institution of Monarchy or the status of the Kingdom. Nothing maybe beyond the royal political realms when it comes to self and national survival strategy.)

iii) That the Treaty of 2007 says both countries shall not work against each other's national interests.

( The wordings of the 2007 Indo - Bhutan renegotiated Treaty of 1949,  is not at all as quoted by the Rtd. Major General. If it were so then India should not be working against Bhutan's national  interest of establishing diplomatic ties with China when India herself has both diplomatic and trade ties with China.

The actual wording says that both India and Bhutan shall not habour forces on their soil working against national interest of the other signatory nation. During Doklam crisis,  it was Indian Army which was transgressing into China- Bhutan disputed land.)    
 
iv) Chinese border with Bhutan is not demarcated. Indio - Bhutan Border is already demarcated.

( China and Bhutan has international boundary disputes and so have held till date  24 rounds of Boundary Talks. The fact is China as a huge, powerful nation could have just demarcated their border as desired and as India did with Bhutan. But China has chosen the negotiation and reasoning path. Bhutan and India held no border talks. At least not to public knowledge. Bhutan simply accepted whatever the Survey of India demarcated. It was quiet and quick as the case usually is when one powerful Party  makes the unilaterial decision for both stakeholders.)  

In conclusion my summary is as follows.

1. India will not be blantantly interfering into this ongoing 2018 General Election even though PDP Party has been eliminated. Infact in another Indian TV, it was even pointed out that withdrawl of fuel subsidy in 2013 was a regretful mistake. A bad coincidence. Never intended or planned. I believe not in the coincidence part but I think it was not planned at Indian Government highest level. The Indian Ambassador in Bhutan during the withdrawl of fuel subsidy in 2013 upon returning to India became an advisor to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of Bihar State. He did not continue his career in Indian Diplomatic Service. Maybe he had reached retirement age.  Also when PM Modi visited Bhutan in 2014, there was a rumour that  he sent his regards to former PM JYT. No idea how reliable the rumour was.) But if DPT comes into power, such gesture bears good value. 

2. One fact stands out. India seems to be confident that His Majesty the King of Bhutan will preserve the age old India domineering Indo-Bhutan relationship. The King was referred to as the " fulcrum ". And they genuinely believe that the King  has the " leverage " to do so. Maybe the panelists were telling the King just that. 

Looks like India feels that the King of Bhutan will stand by India and His Majesty would use his position as Supreme Commander of Defence Forces of 16,000 soldiers ( number quoted by the major general possibly including the police force and Desuung trainees because I do not think RBA and RBG make up this number) and other royal prerogative powers to protect and enhance Indian interest in Bhutan.

In this, India could be overly misplacing her confidence. If the push comes to shove as in Doklam, the King of Bhutan would  be at the call of the Drukpa Deities Palden Lhamo and Yeshey Gyenpo and ofcourse the people of Bhutan. In such a scenario even an Indian atomic type clout may not sufficiently persuade the King to take over responsibilities of an Indian Ambassador to Bhutan.    

Actually, in my view,  His Majesty the King has the necessary trust and reverence of the People of Bhutan and all Political Parties to open up to China and yet maintain present relationship with  India. This is what I would look upto the reverred King to accomplishing. Bhutan has been unjustly cocooned long enough by India.          

3. India  seems to be sensitive to the position of the King of Bhutan and the increasing frustration that is building up in regards to India taking a confrontational position towards Bhutan developing an internationally  respectable relationship with China. The panelist trio offered everything " across all boards"  to the King and the next Prime Minister to keep China at bay. Such freebees can be selfishly tempting for Political Parties who over pledge. Thats why I believe Wangchuck Dynasty is crucial for Bhutan's national long term interests.  

4. In my view, India should resign to the fact that sooner or later Sino- Bhutan relation will foster to diplomatic level. So India should  not place demand upon the King to stop Bhutan from developing diplomatic and economic relationships with China.  India seems prepared to do everything short of military venture like Doklam to convince Bhutanese leadership that Bhutan was better off without China.  But something that the Ambassador said seems to also suggest that diplomatic relation maybe tolerated but not actual physical Chinese embassy presence at Thimphu. A wishful thinking!  I would suggest a small  Chinese Embassy at Thimphu but no military attaches. Let military affairs of Bhutan be a preferential matter between Bhutan and India.  It is high time for Thimphu to take away the leadership of the Kingdom from New Delhi in all other matters. Just preserve the close military link to ease Indian discomfort. Indian friendship and support is important to Bhutan. The people are also very friendly and easy to communicate with. The Chinese are different in nature and there is the language and social barrier.  

5. By now it should have dawned upon New Delhi that a limitted  unobstructed relationship between Bhutan and China actually would  strengthen the buffer status of Bhutan. I sincerely feel that it is in India's national security interest if China is given the opportunity to demonstrate a healthy respect for Bhutan as a sovereign Kingdom. That way  the so called Siliguri chicken neck  and the whole  of North Eastern States of India will  never be invaded  by China through Bhutanese territory. And it has been demonstrated at Doklam that India does not have the capacity to invade Chinese Tibet from Sikkim or through Bhutan. Thus  India can relax and  still be Bhutan's number one friend and of considerable influence. 

6. Both IMTRAT and DANTAK will continue their presence in Bhutan but advisably at a lower profile as in:

(a) Indian Army Troops to refrain from occupying and destroying Bhutanese cummunities' forests and water sources in the name of war exercises and acclimatization camps. There are hundreds of similar altitude places in India itself in States of Jammu Kashmir, Sikkim and Arunachal. Do not trample over Bhutanese livelihood sustainable natural environment  and community self respect.

(b)  And Dantak refrain from putting up  road signs and Indian tri colour  markings all over Bhutanese highways and at  Border Gates as if India owns Bhutan.  

(c)  And co-operation between Indian Army and Bhutan Army is maintained at respectful and reassuring level. Bhutan ofcourse has no military interest with China. Our experience with Indian Army has saturated us adequately. However, it would be advisable to have Indian Army  withdraw its spy contigents attached to Bhutanese border guards at Sino- Bhutan and Indo-Bhutan borders. I think their existence is an open tri-national secret and is a distraction in  building trust between Indian Army and Bhutan Army. Indian Army has to trust Bhutan Army and not watch over it  24 x7.     

7. Whichever the Political Parties  DNT or DPT comes to power,  both should be serving the Tsawa Sum under overall guidance of His Majesty the King.  That is what  India is also  quite  confident about. This is the reason why the panelists and the RStv host unanimously reached the conclusion that, " India would respect and  be willing and happy to work with whichever Political Party the people of Bhutan elects in the governing seat".  I guess this has been conveyed to both DNT and DPT by the Indian Ambassador in Thimphu as suggested by one panelist. I am sure the two Political Parties also assured highest regards for India. The friendship must continue with small adjustments only for sovereign external affairs.

It is for us the Bhutanese citizens who too must be ready to accept the choice of the majority among us. The spirit of democracy must prevail under democractic system. And unity of one people,  one nation under one King must prevail over any and all political differences amongst Political Parties and supporters and the three regions of  Bhutan. A freely well contested general election topped with controversy free result in the evening  of 18th or morning of 19th October, 2018, would unite Bhutanese people and foster confidence and trust amongst the  Political Parties, the Institution of Monarchy and the populace. India too would feel reassurred and encouraged to be  more forthcoming with  reasonable substantive dialogue of true friendship in parallel Indo- Bhutan relationship.      

May all prevail well in accordance to  the wishes of the two Deities of Palden Drukpa. And may Tsawa Sum succeed in promoting and preserving national  interests and sovereign dignity. Palden Drukpa Gyelo!

What my take is with DNT Party's two main offers.

1. Bhutan is facing stagnancy in population growth. Therefore,  a major policy overhaul is necessary to induce population growth. And one sure effective way would be to provide allowance to all poor mothers of  new born babies both in rural and urban Bhutan. In this DNT Party has hit a right social and national cord. Whichever Political Party comes to power, this is a must policy. Bhutanese could be outnumbered in Bhutan in few decades if population growth is not sensitised and promoted in tangible manner.  

2. The free education upto class XII is a good goal. I always spoke up for educational support.  But this pledge is not in keeping with the existing constitutional dictate. Therefore,  even though it is a good proposal with excellent  intent, it is not implimentable unless Constitution is amended. However, there are ways to get around the constitutional limitation. I only caution the advisability of setting  precedents of compromising the Constitution.

BICMA mandate a national revenue enhancement or information curtailing task?

Great Goal BICMA! Yes cut off the poor from cable TV Network and thereby also denying access to BBS TV service.  Keep the poor in darkness.

So you have proudly ordered ( courtesy Kuensel article )  to cut off of TV access to those who cannot afford the extra cost of switching from analog to digital TV. Great achievement in the field of denying information to the lower rug of the society.

Do not worry  BICMA Board of of Anti- information and communication. Poor people will go without meals but not TV connection. TV and voting is the one and only sense of equality in this overly unequal Bhutanese society. 

So yes the poor will go without meal, barter flesh or dignity but they will pay for TV connection.

There are two level of comprehension of  laws and different entitlements for Have Nots and Have All. Poor and honest citizens  have no real  access to Bhutanese authorities. Only Authorities have access to people as and when the authorities desire. Never the other way.  And undeprivilged are subjected to under priveledged treatments all the time. Unequal interpretation of rules and preferential  facilities for privileged and well connected groups are most prevalent under the much hyped benevolent national  administration in the Kingdom of happiness for priviledged few and their followers. It has become a norm rather than exception. But who cares in the realm of Bhutanese authorities?     

Only the cable TV channels' ( all foreign origin except 2 BBS national channels)  programmes and News do not differentiate between the poor groups and the well connected groups in the Bhutanese society. And BICMA cannot stand this equal news and information service provided by TV Channels to the poor and super alike.

Illiterate and poor people may be but they do care about what is happening in the world and in the Kingdom of Bhutan. So they will exercise their vote in an election. And they will somehow and anyhow hold on to the precious TV links. 

No!  I do not know who the BICMA Chief is. And no idea who the Board Members are. But who they are is not relevant. The national trend is take care of the powerful elites and their follower groups. The rest have no voice and therefore no call to be concerned with. Who cares if such people cannot afford TV connection. 

The conscience of the nation is guilt free as long as few priviledged are paid to have annual  health check ups. And if they have cancer from living unhealthy life styles, dump all the money from national exchequer till they are pampered to death in foreign hospitals.  Sorry !  There is no money left to connect rural farmer families  to TV link!      

Missing the Forest for the trees?

PDP loss was due to less number of postal votes. Agreed. But amusing to read that less postal votes for PDP is blamed  on  Dawa's fabricated charge against PDP and Lyonpo Sonam Kinga's posts in social media against DPT. How do one come to same conclusion for entirely different posts?

I feel the Eastern Tsunami has more to do with the literate and urbanites of Eastern origin who felt ostracized for the last 5 years as supporters of DPT. The constant allegation of being dis-loyal that culminated into an out of blue lower court  sedition verdict against DPT may have caused targetted people in consolidating in search of comfort and consolation. This could be a national message that segregation or separation is not a cohesive national.approach towards uniting as one people one nation. So love your nation and your King and stop this loyal and disloyal politics for votes.

EVM voting franchise is mainly exercised by rural illiterate or semi- literate voters after facilitation booths have been introduced in this election. And they were not exposed to the stings of allegations perpetuated through out the last 5 years. Also EVM higher votes for PDP has to do with intensive marathon campaign by PDP President and investment of time and goodwill among villagers by PDP candidates.

The literate and the urban voters also may not have taken kindly to last minute switch of candidates. North Punakha switch worked only because the new candidate had the former candidate campaigning with him. I was particularly surprised by PDP going for Sangay Khandu a former DPT supporter and ousting MP Ritu Raj who was very visible in Parliament sessions.  

I am also surprised by the defeat of Lyonpo Yeshey Dorji and Damcho Dorji of PDP and Dasho Neten of BKP. I am wondering how much time and personal effort were invested by them in the door to door campaign in their constituencies. Maybe not much. They may have relied more on canvassing by supporters who assured them that everything was in the bag. That was what I think went wrong in 2008 defeat of His Excellency Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup. There is a big difference between the candidate going around in person asking for votes and Party workers going around stating nonchantly, " it will be better for yourself  to vote for Lyonpo". Humble people do not in actual reality like to be treated off handedly. They are submissive to power when they have no alternative. And another fact of social life is that though they may  like the boss, they hate to comply with the biddings of chamchas or underlings.

Just presenting the other side outlook generally known as the alternate facts. 

There is still that love of being part of something permanent.

Perhaps you might like to enjoy a story related to rural life.

The last 9 days from 13th to 21st September,  I was physically engaged in finishing a humble but very necessary and immensely useful cowshed complete with a fireplace room  to heat cow feed, a store room to stock dry grass, a bigger storage for dry pine needles for bedding the cows and another shed to store left over timber and firewood stock. And yes another important feature the electrification as most cow feeding and milking chores are done late evening after finishing field works in addition to early morning similar chores before field works. So electric light is a boon.

The stone walls and roofing structure  timbers were ready by the 13th. I just reached my village ( Haa Wangtsa ) to help with the roofing and other partition works. CGI sheet roofing is simple if roofing structure frames are done right. So Thursday afternoon ( morning I was driving from Thimphu to Haa )  and Friday morning was devoted to helping and directing in framing  roof structures and in the afternoon the actual roofing was done. Roofing is always done on a Friday which is considered natural calamity proof like fire and flood.

Saturday was Primary Election voting day, So I began the electrification work in the morning as Saturday is generally considered a fire day as Sunday is for water connection and plumbing. But plumbing is not required and water connection was already there for the old semi- permanent cowshed which had to be dismantled as wooden  pillars were giving way and a permanent structure build in its place. With electrification half done, the afternoon was voting time and getting few hardwares from the town.

Evening of polling day was solemn as result was read out by BBS anchors and PDP Party along with a 2nd term opportunity for Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay from Haa was eliminated. Unfortunate it was but not all hope is lost and 2023 looked promising for PDP Party. The 1st son of democratic  Haa had managed to establish grassroot foundation for his PDP Party nation wide. And on the whole the consolation was that Haa stood by the Prime Minister along with majority of rural voters nation wide.

The Valley of Haa and its people had always stood for the King and Prime Ministers from Haa. The first legendary Prime Minister was Honourable Jigme Palden Dorji who enjoyed an incredible relationship with the people of Haa. He was the one who handed over Haa Dzong to Imtrat for temporary use. And if his life had not been cut short in 1964 by assassin bullets, the Dzong would have been returned to Haaps and Haa Valley would today be a far more developed and a flourishing modern trade route between Bhutan and Tibet China. Alas! History is hard to foretell and great vision remains a dream like a bridge too far away to cross.  I have often wondered if someone else will rise to fulfill the  dream. Then another Prime Minister with similar first name was on the political track to achieve the dream but unfortunately he too was felled by  bullets not metal but political India fashioned bullets  in 2013.    

Now getting back to the cowshed. It took me and the house wife few more days to get all facilities done for the new cowshed but it was done ultimately.  BPC rules requires a licensed house wiring personnel to do the electrical  wiring.  That is understandable so I got such a person to review the electrification works in the evening. He was engaged in mask dance during day at Haa Tsechu.  He was satisfied and kindly provided a copy of his licence to be submitted to BPC Office. I still wonder why BPC also required a Thram copy and CID copy of the Thram holder. Perhaps BPC is wary of alien cowshed owners requesting for new electrical connection from earth.

There are two shops with photo copy service.  One opened by 8: 30 am for business but  did not have the photocopy machine in working condition. The other I was told will open for business around 10am. Luckily a businessman  friend had a small photocopy machine at his home. Thus on 20th the first working day after Haa Tsechu, I was able to make necessary cash deposit with all documents for a new electricity connection with BPC office in Haa.  The BPC man came to the site  and he was quite happy with the long sturdy  wooden ladder I had fashioned for him to reach the top of the high electrical line  pole. He also checked the electrical  wiring insulation and earthing connection. He seemed satisfied and hurrah now a permanent electricity line connection has been provided.

The long ladder was dismantled again as I needed the long poles as rafters for the fire wood shed. The cows were moved in to the new shed on the auspicious evening of Friday the 21st September. Hope the cows found it comfortable. I found that the old enthusiasm for doing something worthwhile in the village  is still there but physically it gets more exhausting. An urban  deskman is better off thinking, planning and writing than hammering or sawing as required during construction. But life has variety and colours and thats why every day is interestingly lively. 
    

             

Bhutan's Deities and Political Parties.

The Deities of Bhutan Pel Yeshey Gyenpo and Pelden Lhamo granted the wishes and desires of the Presidents of 4 Political Parties.

On this Thruelbaab morning, something so clear struck my conscience. I share the following thoughts in the hope that Bhutanese of all walks of life have faith and trust in the all encompassing goodness of our Deities. 

1. The President of BKP wished to be a housewife. And this wish was granted. BKP Party has been eliminated from the General round and the President can now be a devoted housewife.  Maybe now she will get hitched with a partner who she can look after as a housewife.

2. The President of DNT desired to unseat PM Tshering Tobgay somehow and anyhow. This desire was granted. PDP Party has been unexpectedly  eliminated from the General round thus there is no possibility of second term for PM Tshering Tobgay in 2018.

3. The President of DPT wished to demonstrate that DPT Party was not a anti- Monarch Party but His Majesty's subject based Party. And this wish was granted. DPT Party is now out of bardo/ limbo state. It proved its credential as a democratically founded national Party.

4. The President of PDP wished to demonstrate that PDP was not just a Party of the  elites but had grassroot support nationwide. This wish was granted. PDP Party got its majorty support from all over rural Bhutan. PDP Party lost this round but it has proved that its foundation is cross society based nationwide.   

I hope all supporters of 4 political Parties  are now content with the outcome of the Primary Election which was granted  as so wished by respective Party Presidents. May good spirit and  harmony prevail. Happy Thruelbaab Day la.

An outlook towards the General Election and unity of the nation.

DNT and DPT have decided to stick to original Primary candidates. Whilst I laud their principle, few changes may not harm the campaign strategies of both Parties.

A. Regarding DNT

1. In most constituencies,  DNT has done wonders because where they did not win, they came second to PDP.  In several constituencies, PDP candidates came very close to DPT winners. And  ofcourse in  9  constituencies PDP topped though  where DNT was in 2nd position as in Chapcha Bongo, the Party seat is quite secure. Still few from PDP could increase DNT Party chances.      

2. Also DNT might want to reconsider about " 2045 all Party vision of abdication" and the Party's emphasis on anti- establishment vote against an authority holding on to  power for more than 10 years. It is disturbing  though it may have  worked for DNT during Primary. I say this because so far only the King has been in power for more than 10 years. Both DPT and PDP as Opposition Parties had no real power except grumbling in Parliament. However, Closing gap and enhancing health facilities are  themes that  grassroot and mid level voters  associated well with and so paid dividends.    

B. Regarding DPT

1) DPT maybe better off if Aum Lily Wangchuk concentrates upon North Thimphu her own constituency and Dagana region. A quick campaign tour for her and President with the respective  candidates in her root Dzongkhag the Daga region might change DPT prospects there. 

2. Another thought for sake of Haa Dzongkhag. DNT candidate Dasho Ugyen Tenzing is very strong. So no chance for present DPT candidate. Better that Dasho Lam Dorji is invited. Thats my request to DPT brave young Haap. Dasho Lam may not win but if he does, we have a Lyonpo candidate in him, too, like Dasho Ugyen Tenzing of DNT. So whether DNT or DPT becomes the governing Party, Haa Dzongkhag wins in having  Lyonpo Ugyen Tenzin or Lyonpo Lam Dorji. The nation too would benefit from such experienced administrators.

For Haa the Lyonpo chain needs to be preserved for then we have better chance to contribute more effectively in nation building as in the past.  I hope people of Haa are with me in this as they were  with me in voting for PDP with goal to secure PM post for our 1st Son of Haa. I have no regrets about this defeat because we Haaps did not let down PM Tshering Tobgay.  The ultimate choice was always of all Bhutanese voters. We must respect the seat of PM regardless of who comes on that Chair. An elected Bhutanese PM is for all 20 Dzongkhags.

C. Samtse, Tsirang and Sarpang are politically tipsy topsy regions. Primary election was just a hedging vote for self preservation.  The game is wide open in the General Election because the scenery is more clear now. So I feel that  both DPT and DNT must rework their campaign strategies

D. The anti- royal tag against DPT.

I personally find it dangerous for the nation to believe in it. And even worse to promote such a divisive political line. We are subjects of one King and one people of one small nation. And if there are some such anti- royal elements, then we must convert them and not treat such as anti- royal or anti- national force. As good Shepard, we  must bring stray sheep into the flock.

A divided people cannot serve the interest of Druk Yul and the reverred institution of Monarchy.  Both the Throne and unity among subjects are vital for sovereignty and prosperity of a secure Kingdom of Bhutan.

Towards this one nation and one people goal, our Lyonchen Tshering Tobgay was and even more so now  in a unique position to be an effective  cementing factor to heal the nation of any scar or wound. He did not make much effort in the past. A loyalist or authentic royalist must aim to promote the unity of the Kingdom. His Excellency need to now  play a constructive role in building the bridge and removing any misunderstanding and correcting any mistakes.  So far there are more divisive voice than cohesion. I hope this can be ended. And Dasho Lam Dorji can also be a very good influence if he joins DPT.

Bhutanese democracy must not be about which region is stronger or more loyal. It has to be which Party and leaders can best serve the nation with the King. Bhutan is too small and our population too few to be divided in camps of loyal and disloyal subjects. One King, One Nation and One People has been and must be the guiding spirit and inspiration of Drul Yul the Kingdom of Bhutan.

Lastly, I thank Lyonchen Tshering Tobgay for the service to the nation and for representing Haa at the highest level of governance. I look forward to continuous service to Tsawa Sum from His Excellecy and the PDP Party. Seasons change and so does fortune. There are brighter terms to come by in the years ahead.