Dharamshala November 4 – Ruling out all speculations surrounding his standing in the forthcoming elections of the Kalon Tripa, senior Tibetan diplomat and the Dalai Lama’s special envoy said he does not have plans to fight the election for Tibetan exile government’s highest executive post. Mr. Lodi Gyari, however, has not denied his plans to quit the Tibetan political stage.
“I have never aspired to the post of the Kalon Tripa in the past nor will I do so in the forthcoming elections” was the reaction that came from Gyari Rinpcohe to the article “Is Lodi Gyari Quitting” by veteran Tibet suporter Vijay Kranti.
Mr. Lodi Gyari, in a letter sent to the Voice of America’s Tibetan service, said that he is currently in the midst of preparing for the visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Washington , D.C. He said that he will wait for a more appropriate time and setting to come out with a statement on the issues that have been raised.
Mr. Lodi Gyari , however, said that he will be failing in his moral duty if a clarification on the leadership of Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche as the Kalon Tripa and the forthcoming elections is not made.
“I have been a staunch supporter of Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche for the chairmanship of the Tibetan cabinet. In addition to his personal capability I admire his sense of dedication to the leadership of His Holiness. He has been giving unstinted support to His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s various endeavours, particularly in his contact with the Chinese Government. I have had direct experience of this as the head of the Tibetan team in our talks with the Chinese leadership”.
