The party activities will hamper monarchy: Dorji (TIK-TALK)
New Delhi, March 25: On Saturday, two parties have come to the field to race for 2008 elections. While a number of political parties, formed in early 1990s were declared illegal, and are now operating outside the country, government sponsored parties have turned up to stage for political war. Government seems to have ignored the political bodies in exiled. Bhutan News Service talked Druk National Congress president Rongthong Kuenley Dorji the latest political development. Excerpts:
Two parties have already been announced in Bhutan. What is your party's stand?
This announcement was due and it doesn't surprise. We knew about their plan. Even the draft constitution is amended to suit their whims. For example, initially, draft constitution stipulated that 75 as a maximum number of National Assembly. Later on it was announced that number of members of NA is fixed at 55. However, latest announcement states 47.
Presently, fifth King is in meeting spree with heads of government. He is issuing decree on the conduct of government works and policies. It seems that he too is engaged in leaving no stone unturned for a government of royalist (Maternal uncle to be precise) to be establish.
What would be your new strategies?
We await the institution of constitutional monarchy in year 2008.
Will your party be able to get recognition in Bhutan?
The endorsement of general Bhutanese public is far superior to the present regime. After the institution of constitution monarchy in 2008 our party will naturally be recognized by the Bhutanese public at large. Our party members are not limited to existing active members based in Nepal and India, there are large numbers of our party cadres and members inside Bhutan.
Are these parties recently announced going to be democratic?
Of course these parties can never be democratic. These parties' agenda is to retain the 100 year old monarchy prerogatives intact. It is a ploy towards establishing a 'new' government under autocratic monarchy setup. This government would be no different to the present regime. Only after the institution of constitutional monarchy in 2008, a party formed by Sharchopa, Naglong and Lhotshampa communities can be deemed to have credentials of being democratic parties worthy of participating in the general election.
What happens then?
There is bound to be dissatisfaction among the people, if this development is not checked immediately. These parties' activities would inevitably harm the institution of monarchy in future.
What relation do these parties have with palace?
People's Democratic Party is led by Sangay Nidup, who is current Agriculture Minister and maternal uncle of the fifth King. Bhutan People United Party is formed by four serving Royal Advisory Councilors and 73 chimis of the National Assembly.
Are politicians inside Bhutan acting well?
In fifteen years struggle for the establishment of democracy in Bhutan, some Bhutanese have sacrificed their life and majority people have suffered the state brutality. Many Bhutanese people are harshly incarcerated in ranged of fifteen to twenty years. More than a hundred political prisoners are still in prison. Finally when the democracy is about to be instituted, the present chimis action is disheartening.
Even in the capacity of being chimis, they were more of co-conspirator in colluding in suppression of people's voice. When the opportunity has arrived for atonement, they are unlikely to use it. In fact, these Chimis have well illustrated their ignorance on democratic rights and showed the complete lack of reasoning faculty. They are indeed like a bunch of "Java Tokas"- a group of oxen who by nature need someone to goad them on.