DPT Landslide!
26 March 2008
In a resounding landslide, the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) routed the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in every dzongkhag to capture the first parliamentary democratic government of the nation. Running on the slogan of equity and justice, candidates of the DPT trounced their opponents in 44 constituencies, the young Kabji Talo candidate in Punakha even beating the PDP president.
The DPT heavyweights, five former ministers, were able to beat their opponents while their much younger colleagues took the two PDP ministers out of contention. The PDP’s most highly rated candidates were also defeated by much younger DPT opponents, echoing the voice of the people and their inner sentiments about their perception of where the nation stands. It was a clear statement that did not need words to describe their true feelings.
The president of the DPT, Jigmi Y. Thinley, who steam rolled his opponent, Jigme Drukpa, by 4.109 more votes said: “ it is an ‘awesome mandate. That I and my colleagues must shoulder the burden in the absence of a strong opposition. I did not expect such a huge mandate. I thank the voters for the trust and confidence for DPT and the candidate it fielded. I will endeavor to serve the king, the country and people with deepest of commitment and loyalty,” he said.
“Having voted for us, people have voted for a strong and vibrate democracy. It is also the fulfillment of the wishes of his majesty the king and the fourth Druk Gyalpo, DPT will dedicate to build a firm foundation for a peaceful and prosperous country that are the legacy of the fourth Druk Gyalpo and all the great kings before him and look to the future with confidence and knowledge that we will have the guidance and wisdom of the fifth Druk Gyalpo,” he said.
Ugyen Tshering, the north Thimphu candidate and former minister said he never imagined that the DPT would win by a landslide. “This was a total surprise. We had always thought about a majority plus more seats to ensure that it would not affect legislation. I don’t see legislation being hampered as it is our intention to help all the people of Bhutan by not being partisan.”
He said the reason for the DPT winning by the huge margin two fold: the party workers and strategists of the PDP did not inform the party leadership about the ground realities of the political situation in the country. Secondly, the party choose to have a high profile campaign without understanding the issues that most concerned the people.
The clear and frank explanations given by the DPT president and candidates, he said, had brought the people closer to reality.
Yeshi Zimba, the South Thimphu candidate, and also a former minister, said that he was happy that people had trust and faith in the party. “Their support was so overwhelming. They will have extremely high expectations from us; we have a difficult task to fulfil ahead of us and we should be able to live u to the aspirations of His majesty and the people,” he said. Yeshi Zimba said he had not expected a landslide victory and attributed it to the capability of the candidates and the confidence that people had on what His Majesty has done so far. “We are seen as a party that will continue the legacy of the king. Voters have vested their confidence not to the party but to the king,” he said.
On the role of the party president influencing the decision of the people, he said that the president had done a lot in educating the people on the role of democracy and that most people had taken voting as a serious task that would become an example to the outside world…” It is a most rewarding feeling that people have now understood the concept of democracy.”
In what could be likened to a concession speech elsewhere, Sangay Ngedup, the president of the PDBPwas gallant in defeat, putting the future of the nation before the debacle that the party suffered. “The truth has come out. People have chosen the DPT. The best has won. It is the peoples’ choice. This is democracy. Probably people have more confidence and faith in the DPT. I did not expect the loss to be this great. I personally felt a little surprised and shocked. If we had lost by a little margin it was acceptable but only three seats is incredible,,” he said.
“The DPT will reign all powerful in the National Assembly and hopefully they will use it well. This is our plea as we are not in a position to fight back. I would like to congratulate the DPT, it’s President and candidates. Our only hope is they would make the process of democracy smooth and run the government to the best interest of the people. I hope they will remain true to their motto of equity and justice and make the nation stronger than it is today,” he said.
“I would like to tell the people to give the DPT all their support and cooperation. Let democracy succeed and let us fulfil the vision of the Fourth Druk Gyalpo. PDP will start working for the next term. We will live to fight another day.”
Observer was only able to contact one of three PDP candidates who won in their constituencies of Haa, Sombaykha, Khatoe-Laya and Phuentsholing, Chukha. The Phuentsholing, Chukha winner, Rinzin Dorji, said: “when my party hasn’t won I can’t consider my win a victory. “ He said that, although he would live up to the trust and faith that his own people had thankfully invested in him, he had not expected “such a decision” from the Bhutanese people at large.
“I think, in the years to come, they will realize their mistake of creating a government with such a large majority because e what can an opposition of just three people do. “I regret having joined politics.”
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28th Day of the 07th Month - Iron Male Tiger Year
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Either of the Party Winning was acceptable but winning with this margin is sad – I will be frank to state that some very good candidates with very high potential have lost to some very questionable candidates. It would have been much better if the people voted keeping in mind the candidates capabilities, as I feel a collection of good candidates would automatically lead to a better party. Anyway people have spoken and it is upto us bhutanese to wait and see the choice of the people. Tashi Delek
Yes, the onesided match is a concern. But we got to trust Lyonpo JYT and Co. to lead us well. He surely will.
The comment made by Rinzin Dorji “I regret having joined politics.” is beyond believe. How could he say that? I construe his comment as “I don’t have faith in my party PDP.” If the party was filled with such pessimistic candidates, then I think PDP deserved to lose. You are the only three candidates of PDP with seats in the National Assembly, please show some positive nature. This is the first general election. We will have many more in the future. The party with recoup and get ready for the next election. in the meanwhile, the three of you should show they people what possible changes PDP could have brought about.
In the spirit of true democracy!!
surveys show us that most of the time the choice of general public is wrong lomena la
If the opposition party also has a fair number of representation in the parliament then it could provide some checks and balances in the decision making process which is very essential for a good democracy. I think even the DPT members (including their president) would agree with me that this rule rule by a single party (the monoploly) is not the ideal sitautiion for a good democracy. PDP has some good candidates who could really contribute signifiacntly for a healthy democarcy. But they were passed over. This is not good and I am somewhat dissapointed. People have spoken but they overspoke and they will reap what they sow. Five years is a lot a long harvest period.
Even Shakespeare would have regretted & got shock of his life , if he was alive to see this mock Election. he would have instantly written a play , Oh Hell to To DPT
How dare dargo use the word ‘mock election’ when international observers and media had declared ours as the most succesful election? The result is the voice of the people. Respect that. And be careful in choosing your words.
TASHI DELEK FOR WINNING THE NA ELECTIONS AND WE HOPE YOU AND YOUR CO. WILL LEAD US TO BRIGHTER TOMORROW.
I strongly feel that bhutan is too young for democracy. May be we have to change the definition of democracy for Bhutan. Bhutanese have not understood the real meaning of democracy and I truely repent for that. Nobody voted on his/her own will and freedom. I sense that everyone, esp. people in the village are influenced greatly by the urban lots and did not let them to choose their own leader. Our people are not educated and less knowlegable about the whole process and democracy is just a monkey no work deal in here……democracy works in the west because west is different from the east. There are more things in the west that we can copy than politics
One party is expected to win but the results of this first election was a moral damper. At least I would have wished for Lynpo Sangay to have won from his constituency. The way results turned out, this victory was devoid of any thrill.
All is not lost though, we place great faith in the DPT president and the able leaders we have voted in place to lead us with equity and justice.
Here are LSN’s words “The truth has come out. People have chosen the DPT. The best has won. It is the peoples’ choice. This is democracy. Probably people have more confidence and faith in the DPT. I did not expect the loss to be this great. I personally felt a little surprised and shocked…,,” Now does that sound like words of a power hungry person? Hearing him speak them make me feel what a great loss it was. At first I thought it was a great lost for LSN but when I tried to sit back and absorbed what just happened, I can’t help but feel the great sense of loss for the Bhutanese people – such a great leader who really walks the talk. He had earned the respect of the people who worked with him. Though from a elite family, he is down to earth and loves to experience the life of a farmer believing that one really has to experience hardship to understand the difficulties of the rural Bhutan. He is one leader who really believed in helping the poor. The politics of fear instilled by the hypocratic DPT leaders really worked on the minds of unsuspecting innocent villagers. I can’t help but feel a mountain of dissapointment. This is not democracy but demo-crazy.
Its sad to have such a big margin between two parties… People had faith in DPT and chosen by almost 95% and therefore we shud have faith in them and we hope they too take decision which is in the interest of we bhutanese and take views of oppositions..
It’s not the DPT that won the elections, its the Bhutanese people at large, who placed their faith on the party. Hope they will keep their promises and fulfil and aspirations envisioned by His Majesty the Kings.
PDP on the other hand, failure is the pillar of success, they can look back, what went wrong, and look forward to another elections. There were lots of capable and well experienced candidates in the PDP. Actually PDP needs to refine their look and strategy. I cannot belive that the PDP President lost in his own constituency, which is quite unexpected.
I really feel great as i came to know that the DPThas won because DPT is the one who is associated with equity and justice and very much fitted for a country like Bhutan who is having democracy for the first time. so lastly but not the least i on behalf of every citizen of Bhutan would like to congratulate DPT and we wish that the DPT can lead the country towards the glorious of achievements within five years and for that we wish u a very best of luck. Thank u n TASHI DELEK
We lost good brains from PDP, It is really unbeliable. Many expected DPT to win and PDP to lose, but not not the way it happend….In many Demkhongs people made wrong choice……So…..WE WILL DEFINATELY REGREAT..
Can we all expect that such a high level of Trust and Faith in DPT’s President and there is no faith at all on PDP’s President by this General election’s result assumes.
There must be very bad reputation on the PDP’s President in the minds of bhutanese peolple in all levels of society. Am i rigth? Otherwise people wont leave u in vain after much hard works put in to gain some majority.It is indeed very shameful result and total kick-back from the Public of bhutan to our party leader and friends.
What could be that bad history on the PDP’s party formation, which made public of bhutan totally unhappy and should be beaten to the ground mercilesslly.
What huge polictial vacum had been created in the Assemly by this elections.
When DPT President is now like second King to rule with total Majority in the say of Assembly and his friends enjoy same power.
Therefore, i think bhutanese people must be mistaken or may be they r intellegent to keep the hands of Powerful peopl.
it’s often said your misdoings can never go unnoticed…..what ever you do it will come back to you…..
one big reason that people didnt have faith and trust in PDP is due to the bullying nature of the yab ugyen dorji, the father of PDP’s president….i say this because i am the public and i was present with them all the time and listened to their views…as all of us know how infamous yab ugyen dorji has become and now only the dumb and blinds are left to know about him …..many feared that if PDP wins then he will have greater influnce and power to quench his thirst…so naturally people doubted their choice for voting for PDP….
i dont deny the fact that PDP has some great personalities with huge capabilities to change the country for good…but it’s sad they were voted out due to above reasons by the people…
lets hope that PDP will do much better to gain people’s trust and faith… since am a well wisher of PDP so i thought it’s my responsibitlity to let them know the truth….
Wow..comments are good but it seems it’s given without much thought in it, give a deep thought, analysise and give justice to the comment which can be given by an individual who’s neither in the party else we will speak only in the favour of party whom he/she likes.
3 cheers to the deserving DPT!!
They sure might have done a great job to get this type of support from the people.
Talking about the landslide victory and the looming concern of a weeeeeeeaaaaaaaak opposition, steps should have been taken to field in at least 3 contesting parties and not allowed just two to fight for the votes.
I wouldnt be surprised even if one party got 100% victory over the other! Anyway, the chances to be so was 50-50. There is an urgent need for a 3rd party to rise in our country.
Hey PDP guys, why not break up and form a 3rd party now? Chew on it as you have 5 years time to reflect! I pity the young, intelligent and capable ones in there!
Anyways, good luck the next time around!
I once wrote a query to the election commission that this situation might arise (opposition with 2 candidates and ruling party with the majority) giving rise to a weak opposition. What a coincidence this has really happened !
some very good candidates have lost to some questionable candidates indeed. I hope PDP will take into account the lessons learnt and emerge victorious during the next election. My deep appreciation to all the candidates who worked so hard to make the elections a great success.
i was sad to read the comment given by Kaka Tshering..stating , he would join politics in 2013 is in doubt. as i know him personally, he is the man of really committed to any kinda work he does. this is something which is not expected from him.
For pdp to reimage the pdp must changer their president….
otherwise, pdp has more capable leaders..
i offer condolence, to pdp member who sacrifice their job to serve the nation..
Now that the Dpt has won 100% as even the opposition candidates have submitted their resignation which leaves no opposition at all, is the citizens of Bhutan happy with the result???? I personally think that people are not the winner but the loser as we won’t have democracy without the oppoeition party- where is the equity and justice???I am sure general people do not realize this and even the high elite groups have not thought of and they still think they have won..what a WOH!!
It’s pity that PDP lost very badly. We have never thought of having such result. While we expected the two presidents to come up with few capable candidates to govern the country but it came out unexpectedly. We deeply regret for that. We have deeply studied the pros and corns of the failure and come to the conclusion that one of the reason is because of selection of the cordinators who were well known to the public as geog gothips and have done more damage than good in the past so many years but to the PDP they seemed to be well known to the public and good to the party. In turn the cordinators seem to have acted as chamchas only giving positive aspect to the part y and not doin their ground work as they were supposed to do and as a result it proves to be a great fiasco. The people atlarge at the moment are stating the above reason for their failure i peep through and over heard the same. If the PDP wants to strength their strength they should take this reason into account. Sorry for the loss.
First, an offer of support to the winning party. Next, the only two winning candidates chicken out; then a call for investigation; finally a whole crowd of sheep is brought to thimphu to appeal ignorance about the principles of democracy – what next?? This is getting worse and worse.
Remember, International observers and media declared this a very smooth and fair election. All the befitting tribute Bhutan received has been tarnished by the losing party crying foul.