Primary Round Post

On the night before the primary round of election, I got a call rather from a very unexpected person. My friend who is a gomchen called me up and asked me which party I was planning to cast my precious vote.  According to Bhutanese electoral law, 'gomchens are above politics'. But at that hour, he seemed least bothered.by the law. My enthusiastic friend seemed so energized  and eager to come at the level where politically divided voters were literally throwing pots and pans at eachother. To cool him down, I had to remind him about his status. Not only that, I also had to inform him about how apolitical civil servant I am.

Source: Kuensel

And coming back to our historic primary round of election, I have not much to say. Many people consider it as a successful endeavor. I am in fact astonished to see how both DPT and PDP won with lions share of votes. Personally, I feel primary round is a clear message from the Bhutanese electorate. Good or not, Bhutanese people seem less prepared to see anything that is drastic and new. They seem more happy with the old devil than with new angel. 

Back in Bumthang,  in my native place, DPT has won the race. Thank god it wasn't a landslide like in 2008.   Democracy seem to be truly taking root in Bumthang. For a reason known for Bumthangpas, Ex-Agriculture Minister was the talk of the day. Some were of the opinion that he is irreplaceable. Some even compared    him to the likes of a tiger that is fast facing its extinction. Interestingly, he is even called as a "bird in the hand that is better than two in the bush". While I have immense respect and regard to him as a politician and 'bird in the hand',  I do not think, he is irreplaceable. To me, we are all are replaceable. I strongly feel that jungle will never go empty when one tiger is gone. We will have bears and lions...even Monkeys.

And in my wife's native place. The most famous politician, known for his talking skills, the man who promised black-topped road to my wife's village (but bitterly failed), MP Tshering Penjor, who is now called as solin Penjor and will be remembered as such has given way to  Ex-NC chair, Namgay Penjor. The informal communication in the town has it that Ex-NC chair joined DPT because orange scarf is a thing of guarantee. But in the interesting turn of the event, he trailed in the polls by huge margin. 

For now, I would like to end this post by congratulating DPT and PDP for making to the general round. I would also like to congratulate DNT and DCT for having offered much needed alternatives to Bhutanese people. The race has just begun. Come 13th July, 2013, I will cast my vote to make a difference at my own level.