Complaints, counter-complaints of bribery

Thimphu, December 12: Along the heating campaigns by the political parties for upcoming first general elections, the dispute among candidates and cadres from two parties in Pemagatshel reached the apex last week.

Druk Phuensum Tshokpa members complained of bribery that Nanong constituency candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, Jigme Drukpa, made.

Drukpa accepted that he gave Nu 200 each to three people, who were willing to become his party’s tshogpas on pretext that hey served him lunch at their place.

DPT members complained that he had earlier distributed money to other people as well to which Drukpa has denied.

To counter, the PDP member in the district submitted a written complaint to dzongkhag authorities and election officials, alleging DPT’s candidate, Zangley Dukpa, of bribery.

Dukpa, candidate for Khar-Yurung constituency, has been alleged of trying to bribe a PDP ‘tshogpa’ in Zobel gewog, Sangay Wangchuk, with Nu 1,100.

Dukpa accepted he gave the money not on political ground but on humanitarian ground as the people were mourning on a relative’s death. Bhutan News Service