“We lost, but we did not die”
Mar 23, 2009: Sangay Ngedup formally stepped down as president of People Democratic Party (PDP) at the annual party convention.
He had submitted his resignation in December 2008, and stepped down officially yesterday, refusing to reconsider his decision, despite requests from party members including the opposition leader himself. The opposition leader, Lyonpo Tshering Tobgay, was named as the new president of the PDP.
”Our defeat last year was probably the worst in the history of elections. I blame myself for it. It is a normal practice in the democratic society for the president to resign, if the party loses by such scale. It is time to give opportunity to the young and capable people in our party to lead,” Sangay Ngedup said.
However, he said that he would continue to work for the party and support it fully.
Party members appealed to the ex-president to think again about his decision, but he remained adamant in his decision.
A party member from Samtse said that even though the ideal situation would be if Sangay Ngedup remained as party president, even after his resignation, ‘the show must go on’. Some party members went to the extent of saying that if the party president resigned, so would they.
Lyonpo Tshering Tobgay said that when they had lost all hope after elections, it was Sangay Ngedup who gave moral support to the whole party. “One thing that I always recall is him saying ‘we lost, but we did not die.’ This has held us up until now. His leadership is needed for this party.”
A woman from Wamrong said “When he was agriculture minister, he did a great deal for us, and I have come all the way to Thimphu just to request him not to resign.”
“I am not resigning because I lost hope or because I am angry at anyone. I am only thinking of the welfare of the party. I can not perform to my fullest abilities as I have no voice in the parliament, having lost in my own constituency,” said Sangay Ngeedup to the emotionally charged gathering.
Lyonpo Tshering Tobgay said that whatever happens, Sangay Ngeedup would remain the backbone of the party. “We will always be guided by his principles and ideals.”
Party members expressed dissatisfaction with the decision at the end of the meeting.
”I think this is too sudden, we should also have consulted workers on the field about this decision. Lyonpo Tshering Tobgay is no doubt capable, but as opposition leader, he already has a lot on his plate. Moreover, people draw inspiration from Sangay Ngedup, whose name is synonymous with that of the party,” said a member.
However, though dissatisfied, the party members have reconciled to the decision. “I know most of them said that they would leave the party, but that is not an answer. We still have to think about the welfare of the party, and of
our duty as the opposition party of such a young democracy. I don’t think most of them will follow through with
their threats. I, for one, will not leave,” said another party member.
PDP lost spectacularly to Druk Phuensum Tshogpa, winning only two of the 47 seats in the National Assembly during the first ever election held on 24 March last year.
Source: Bhutan Today