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Bhutan's ruling party brands opposition as anti-national and un patriotic.


In Bhutan there are only two parties in the government formed after the first election in May 2008. The ruling party that has overwhelming majorty is Druk Puensum Tshogpa- DPT. The 2nd election is on 23rd April 2013.


The opposition party- the People's Democratic Party- PDP won only three seats in the parliament and one out it was later lost in conflict. Its leader, the former minister and the in-law of the king shy away after loosing the election. His subordinate, Tshering Tongay found the first five year term very difficult.


 He says, “The opposition party bore the brunt of many attacks inside and outside the Parliament to an extent that we were called unpatriotic and anti-national,” he said. The fact that we could not work together and the opposition was excluded is a regret to us.”


Below is his dillemma's from kuensel 




Opposition’s accounts of its first five-year term 

OLThe opposition leader and Damchoe Dorji
The opposition leader yesterday shared his thoughts as he reflected on the role the opposition party People’s Democratic Party (PDP) played and a formidable responsibility it shouldered as it faced the overwhelming Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) majority.
Opposition leader Tshering Tobgay said it was difficult and worrying when they started off with only two members, although that minority gradually provided the two, additional impetus to assume a greater responsibility.
The opposition’s intensions, he said was never to go against the government but to question them when the need arose.
“Whenever the government was wrong, we took it as a responsibility to stand against them but also strongly supported them for the good works,” he said. “All that was for the well being of people and the country.”
Along with the government, the opposition also to be dissolved today, Tshering Tobgay said the party served their term well and played its part just as well in strengthening democracy.
“In the past five year’s of the opposition party’s tenure, we hope people are happy with our contribution,” he said. “To the people, we seek forgiveness for the mistakes we might have made.”
The opposition leader also said PDP was bringing in experienced, capable and committed candidates with the hope of elevating the party to a level it did in 2008.
His colleague Damchoe Dorji, speaking on the challenges the party faced said their biggest challenge had always been their limited representation in the assembly and the Parliament.
“It would have been better if we had more members, but despite that we served the people, country and the Parliament to the best of our abilities,” he said.
He also explained that inadequate resources to carry out their responsibilities, keeping the party afloat and clearing debts incurred in 2008 were other major challenges.
Opposition leader added that the concept of opposition and opposing the government was very new, unacceptable and challenging.
“In the early days, we were accused of opposing too much but we did find a balance,” he said, adding that if they opposed too much, the institution of opposition would lose its credibility because of which they had to hold back many a time.
“The two members had the responsibility of not just introducing the concept but making sure people accepted it as well,” he said.
One of the regrets the party had, Tshering Tobgay said was that in spite of the opposition’s efforts to reach out to the government, relationship with the ruling party always remained divisive.
“The opposition party bore the brunt of many attacks inside and outside the Parliament to an extent that we were called unpatriotic and anti-national,” he said. The fact that we could not work together and the opposition was excluded is a regret to us.”
However, the most satisfying part of the opposition’s tenure, Damchoe Dorji said was being able to fulfill the opposition party’s mandate, winning the constitutional case and defending the Constitution among others.
Tshering Tobgay added the satisfaction did not come because they won the constitutional case, but to have seen the institutions of democracy play their respective roles.
“Despite the government being so powerful, the system worked and that is a cause for a lot of satisfaction,” he said.

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