By Tsewang Lhadon*
The Tibetan people are yet on another threshold of a new government with hope and aspiration.
The re-election of Prof. Kalon Samdhong Rinpoche as Kalon Tripa with a sounding majority of 90.72% vote in July 2006 for a second term was clear indication that the Tibetan people want him to lead our fragile exile government.
However, the election of the four new Kalons by the 14th ATPD (Assembly of Tibetan People’s Deputies) on September 29th, 2006, and the shocking defeat of Kalon Lobsang Nyandak Zayul, former Kalon for Department of Finance and International and Information Relations under Kalon Samdhong Rinpoche and just a simple majority for Thupten Lungrik, Kalon for Education and Health send strong signals as well as new hope.
Politics or not, the voting pattern is interesting and in itself has significance – Kasur Kesang Y. Takla, current representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for Northern Europe with 38 votes out of 40; Ven. Tsering Phuntsok, Member of the Standing Committee of the 14th ATPD- 34/40; former Kalon Tenpa Tsering- 23/40; and former Kalon Thupten Lungrik – 21/40.
The non-election of former Kalon Lobsang Nyandak Zayul despite a seemingly great job by him in the two departments for fours years and considered as the youngest promising Kalon, and only just a simple majority for Kalon Thupten Lungrik could well be strong message for Kalon Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche.
As much as there has been good work done by the previous government under Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, one disquieting concern for many from the beginning was – if there was independent voice among the Kalons, so much so, that some called the three former Kalons as mere secretaries to Kalon Tripa.
In an age of elections, democracy and human rights, the spirit of freedom of expression and opinion is fundamental, difference of opinion critical particularly when decisions made affect the future of a nation, the concerns and lives of the people governed. The onus is even greater on those elected to represent the people. Standing-up for one’s believe cannot be construed as being disrespectful.
The four new Kalons have great record as civil servants and there is much good said about them. There is hope that they will represent the voice of the Tibetan people while using judgment to support the initiatives of Kalon Tripa Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche and a government that stands for the people of Tibet.
*Tsewang Lhadon is Former Executive Director of Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, Dharamsala
