Political Parties Gearing for the 2013 Race- Part III

....continues...,

Strengths of Druk Phuensum Tshogpa.

Nevertheless, the present government has been striving very hard for the welfare of the citizens since the day it took power in 2008. Druk Phuensum Tshogpa, the ruling party in Bhutan is the second party formed after the People’s Democratic Party in 2007. The party is formed with five experienced ministers of the previous government leading the front-line, followed by high post bureaucrats, civil servants, businesspersons, and fresh graduates. The whole nation with great faith and confidence has brought it into power to form the first Democratic Government with the landslide victory over PDP in March 2008 elections.

His Excellency the PM of Bhutan: dpt Government

With the party manifesto focusing on poverty alleviation, curbing the gap between the rich and the poor by revisiting strategies for equitable development, and reducing the proportion of population living below the poverty line from 31.7 percent to 20 percent within the next five years, the government have done a great job as of now. If not for the petty promises in the villages, their goals of national policymaking, planning and its implementation in general are promising.

The Mid-Term Review of the 10^th five-year plan was reported overwhelmingly satisfactory with majority of the national goals fulfilled. By the time the reign of present government ends, it is hopeful that all Bhutanese homes will be lit with electricity. With the coming up of domestic airports and many road widening/shortcutting projects initiated, mode of transport would become more reliable and efficient. By the commencement of e-governance, our common peoples will no longer have to travel to the capital to avail the simple but important documents. In order to improve the human resource, the numbers of scholarships for students completing class 12 are increased manifold and government is making every possible effort to curb the unemployment problem. Electricity, the nation’s only major export item is at the boom with many mega projects already initiated and more in plan. Tourism, one of the biggest sources of revenue for the government has been always a government priority. It is pleasing to hear our Prime Minister state that all the key targets set by the government for the 10th Plan will be achieved within the five-year period. The 10th Five Year Plan (2008-2013) is the first five-year development plan executed by the democratically elected government.

If not for some criticisms they faced regarding the controversial issues of Constituency Development Grant, State Funding of the Parties, Tobacco Control Act, etc..., our present government under the leadership of His Excellency Lyonchen Jigme Y. Thinley, the seasoned man with vision, have sacrificed a lot in making a young Bhutanese democracy vibrant, transparent and dynamic. Everything they did was for the interest of the country and its people, but the minute flaws aroused when the supreme law of the country, The Constitution did not permit what they thought to execute. The views of Opposition were never against the view of Government but were against the procedures the government intended to follow. So, in the mind of our Bhutanese, there is always a pride and appreciation for what the government did.

Aiming to Soar higher, the Cranes.

However most of the major projects initiated by the present government won’t be able to complete within the limited five year plan so to further boast the developmental activities and satiate the citizens, for sure, our honourable MPs of the present government would be mentally preparing for the next election. Their effort to clear the financial debt of the party by enormous contribution itself is one such indication.

Besides, looking into the rumours that are afloat in forum indexes, it is apparent that few more present government secretaries will join the already experienced lot of DPT MPs in the next election. If ever the rumour holds true, Dr. Gado Tsherings resignation from the post of Health Secretary on moral backgrounds, when he have more than four years to hold the post, is nothing but a preparation for election in 2013. The list further stretches with Dasho Kinley Dorji, Information Secretary, Education Secretary Aum Sangay Zam and Economic Affairs Secretary Dasho Sonam Tshering, (information based on the forum discussions @ bhutantimes.bt). So if ever this rumours turn out to be true, then for sure, few current MPs of the DPT will have to fight for party ticket with the new comers.

This would mean further strengthening the capability of the MPs of DPT because, when the next round of election comes into force, the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa will already have 11 ex-ministers and a Speaker, who by then will have ample of experience in carrying out the democratic moves and developmental activities in the country. As a saying goes "as rare as trees without warts are men without weaknesses" they being the first democratically elected government and system being new, mistakes are something which is not inevitable but for sure, the government will learn from the mistakes they have done during this tenure and will persuade the people about their strategic plans ahead.

Yet it is time for the citizens as well to prepare themselves for the next round of election and make the best choice from the two old titans to avoid hue and cry later. Under the benevolent guidance of His Majesty the King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, lets pray that the democracy in Bhutan shall remain vibrant and transparent and the citizens shall not be torn apart due to party indifferences as “We are a small family of Bhutanese but a family that has a common goals and aspirations” as said by K5.

Political Parties Gearing for the 2013 Race- Part II

...continues..,

 PDP comeback- Present Governments weakness, an Advantage for PDP in next election-

Now with both the parties either having cleared or initiated to clear their debts, soon they will be preparing for the next round of elections in 2013. It is already reported that the People's Democratic Party is planning a major comeback with many of its 2008 candidates contesting the 2013 election. Having suffered a crushing defeat in the 2008 elections, for sure the PDP would be strengthening, either to form a government in 2013 or to become a stronger opposition with more than two members. 

Hon'ble Leader of Opposition: drukpa.bt

In 2008 many seasoned bureaucrats who sacrificed their good jobs and joined People's Democratic Party with the motive to serve the people but almost all lost to their opponents from DPT, which was lead by experienced five ex-ministers. The President of PDP, Lyonpo Sangay Nidup too lost the seat in his constituency to the young teacher representing the DPT. 

Despite having only two members in the opposition, they have played a significant role in correcting the government when it went wrong. When it comes to passing the bills and acts by voting, it always went in favour of the ruling party because even if 25% of the members of ruling party are to support the views of opposition, it will not make a difference in decision making in the lone upper house. But there is a lot of satisfaction in the minds of concerned citizens, by the way the two opposition members strived. People outpoured their sympathy and gratitude for the world’s smallest opposition for carrying out their democratic rights relentlessly. So felt the need for a stronger opposition with more members and the citizens will definitely fulfil this realization.

Besides when people saw flaws in the way government take decision, many felt that they have taken a wrong decision by voting the present government into power. 

The prominent examples being the passing of the controversial ConstituencyDevelopment Grant by the National Assembly though it was strongly objected by the National Council, calling it unconstitutional, faulty, and ambiguous. My view regarding the CDG is also that, it doesn't justify equity because Nu. 2 M for each MP means unequal distribution of a huge sum among the 205 gewogs. While few MPs have to share the sum among just two gewogs, others have to manage it for the welfare of as many as seven gewogs.

The next big mistake that government committed was formulating taxation structure without going through the Legislative process as required by the Constitution. On this matter the Opposition Leader took the government to the court and verdict of first ever Constitutional case went in favour of the opposition. This further weakened the faith of people in the way government functions.  

Source: Bhutan Observer

The most recent objection the government facing is the Tobacco Control Act, which many people term draconian. More ironic when the first victim happened to be a monk who was caught with tobacco worth Nu. 120 who was then followed by many more, only to get themselves locked behind the bars for the maximum duration of three years. Many educated lots were of the opinion that the term of imprisonment is too stiff and that the Act be amended but nothing has happened as of now. Thus, the Tobacco Control Act, which was enacted with a noble intention of reducing tobacco consumption on the land flourished with Buddhist doctrine, is facing lots of resistivity from public only because the process of its enactment was not in consultation with the common people.  

The latest case of Gyalpozhing Land scam has brought many heads of government including the Prime Minister and the Speaker of National Assembly into the limelight of corrupt practices in the past. This further added fuel to the already heated group of the society, who are aspiring for a change to happen in the system of governance. 

So be it in the social media like facebook or on online forums, many express their dissatisfaction on the way the present government functions. Backing up the way two opposition members performed so far in keeping the government on tract, will Peoples Democratic Party receive the major support in the next coming election? Will the weakness exhibited by the present ruling government who were brought to power with nationwide support from public drastically loss the faith of people in them and give its way to PDP in the next election? Or the citizens will bring into power PDP in the next election to experience a different taste?  

Until then PDP will have to adopt striking strategy to make a dramatic comeback in 2013.

                                                                                                              .....to be continued..,

Political Parties Gearing for the 2013 Race - Part I

 Clearing the Debt-


With the term of first democratically elected government already crossed the mid way and as it nears its completion, more or less the politicians and those who are interested in politics seems to be preparing for the next election in 2013. 

Having to clear all the financial liabilities of the political parties by June 2012, as directed by Election Commission of Bhutan, both the ruling party and opposition party with the spirit of starting their campaign afresh, are finding ways and means to clear their huge debts incurred to them during the first general election held in 2008. The two parties without realizing the current state of chaos in clearing the debts, had spent money lavishly in 2008 which is why both the parties have a debt of more than 20 million with banks or various sources as of now.

The Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) Parliament members, besides contributing 10% their monthly salary to keep the party functioning, have finally resorted to borrowing additionally in order to clear their financial debt of Nu. 20 M. It is reported that the ministers and MPs borrowed some Nu. 100,000 to 200,000 from the National Pension and Provident Fund and other sources to clear their debt with Bank of Bhutan. The remaining debt, they intend to clear by collecting membership fees and voluntary contributions by the members. 

Following the ruling party, the Opposition Party too reportedly, is finding the ways to clear of their debt of Nu. 20 M to their former party president and an additional Nu 3.8 million to printing and media houses. The party aims to clear the debt by collecting money via three sources - registration fees of members, annual membership fees of registered members, and voluntary contribution by registered members. But with the meagre sum of Nu. 5 for new member registration in the party as of now, it’s obviously going to be difficult to collect a good sum unless the dedicated members voluntarily contribute a good amount to the party.

The Journalist

Though both the parties faced lots of financial instability, the opposition objected the State Funding of political parties, which the ruling party desired to adopt, terming it unconstitutional. But looking critically the state is already supporting the parties with enough fund. The National Council of Bhutan also decided no to the state funding for the two political parties stating it is unconstitutional.  The parties, I fell, will need a good sum of money when they are campaigning for the election and familiarizing with the commoners at grassroot level but for that purpose the Election Commission of Bhutan are giving the required fund. Besides our local government candidates doesn't get a single penny from the ECB but still they successfully carry out their campaigns and other meetings so if the state is to give fund to the party separately, why not the local government candidates also get a small share for their campaigns and all?

However, despite repeated discussions on the provision of state funding, yet it still remained just as a "monkey business" impasse as pointed out by The Journalist. In the case if the state is to provide state funding to the parties, it is clear that a huge amount will finish up for the welfare of the parties than for meeting the needs of the our people. Because already, the state have to pay a good package which the MPs demand as their salary and for other amenities like Prado’s, Housing, et al.

One way or the other, It seems that politics is a money game, be it in a corrupt society or in corruption free country.

Now with their past experience with regards to financial problems, will the existing parties learn a lesson from it and adopt new strategy to make the best use of their limited money resource in the next election? Or will they try and look for various other sources for revenue? Will this issue of financial crisis in party caution the new parties if any, for contesting in the next primary election? But they might be all mentally prepared to face the situation with bravery when it rocks the cradle in 2013.

                                                                                                       ..... to be continued..,