The way ahead for PDP
Mar 24, 2009: The new president of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) says the party will focus not on the past or the future, but on the present.
The Opposition Leader, Lyonpo Tshering Tobgay, was chosen as the new president of People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) at the annual convention that was held on 23 March. Lyonpo Tshering Tobgay called the resignation of the founder of PDP, Sangay Ngedup a great loss to the party but said that ‘the show must go on’.
He also said that Sangay Ngedup is not running away from his responsibility, but rather, taking responsibility for the party’s defeat.
Lyonpo Tshering Tobgay said: “His resignation is a shining example to our nation which I hope shall be emulated by future leaders. It shows that he is a man of high ideals. He will continue to be the back bone and an inspirational figure for the party.”
“He has shown us the road ahead, h has shown us that it is the poor who matter, and that we have to serve with humility,” said Lyonpo Tshering Tobgay.
The focus will now be on strengthening the party. “We do not want to dwell on the past; neither do we want to work solely for the upcoming elections. At the moment, we want to give this country a strong opposition for a viable democracy,” he said. “A country with no or weak opposition will risk turning into an autocratic state.”
The elected party president also said that the party is not falling apart. “PDP has a group of qualified and experienced people, we walk the talk.”
Talking about the people who threatened to leave the party with Sangay Ngedup, the opposition leader said it echoes the frustrations over losing such a leader. But in the end, everyone realizes that they need to work hard for their party.
”PDP has the responsibility to fulfill the aspiration of our former president in addition to His Majesty’s vision for a vibrant democracy in the country.”
On his own election as the party president, he said that it was not because he was the most capable person in the party, but because he happened to be the opposition leader.
“I will fulfill my responsibilities to the best of my abilities, but I would also urge my party to look for better people,” he said.
In the last election, PDP garnered 33 percent of the vote bank; however, the party has only four percent representation at the parliament.
Source: Bhutan Today