Shimla – Samdhong Rinpoche, “prime minister” of the Tibetan government-in-exile in Dharmasala, is reluctant to contest for a second term, saying a younger person should take charge – but has indicated he would stay if the Dalai Lama wanted him to.
“A younger person should come forward so that he can lead the Tibetans for a longer time,” a newspaper in Dharamsala, the seat of the Tibetan government in exile some 280 km from here, quoted the 66-year-old Rinpoche as saying.
“I would prefer to retire quietly and pursue writing and gardening,” he added.
“Given a choice I would not contest, but if am asked to contest again by his holiness (the Dalai Lama), I will have to abide by his wishes,” Rinpoche maintained.
Observers say that as the Dalai Lama dominates Tibetan affairs, he would have the final say in the matter.
The last date of filing papers for the election is March 18.
The Dalai Lama had proposed Rinpoche’s name in September 1998 and he was elected the first “prime minister” in 2001 by a worldwide direct election by Tibetans, (excluding those in Tibet).
The Dalai Lama and some 100,000 Tibetans have been living in the hill town of Dharamsala and several other parts of India since the first wave of refugees fled Tibet 47 years ago soon after the Chinese occupied the area.
No country recognises the Tibetan government-in-exile.
