DHARAMSHALA, July 16: Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the elected head of the Tibetan people, has congratulated Tshering Tobgay, chief of the victorious People’s Democratic Party in the recently held parliamentary elections in Bhutan.
Tobgay, 47, who led his party to a landslide victory against the ruling Druk Phuensum Tshogpa is expected to assume charge as the Himalayan nation’s second democratically elected prime minister later this month.
“I, on behalf of the Kashag, extend my greetings to you for winning with majority in the parliamentary elections in Bhutan,” Sikyong Sangay said in his congratulatory message.
“I also congratulate all candidates of Druk Phuensum Tshogpa party for the smooth and peaceful democratic transition of power; and leading the country for the past five years,” the Sikyong said.
The de facto Tibetan prime minister further noted that the success of democracy in Bhutan reflects the “vision and leadership of His Majesty the King of Bhutan.”
“The success of the general election and the smooth transition of power from one party to another reflect the vision and leadership of His Majesty the King. It confirms your people’s confidence and faith in democracy. This is a victory for democracy and its ideals,” Sikyong Sangay said.
“The flourishing democracy in Bhutan and other Buddhist nations in Asia proves that Buddhism is compatible with the universal ideal of democracy. The successful election in Bhutan has further strengthened this belief.”
During the election campaigning, Tobgay, a Harvard graduate, had censured outgoing Prime Minister Jigmi Y Thinley for his apparent warmness towards China by meeting the then Premier Wen Jiabao in Brazil last year.
The meeting was seen by many in India as Bhutan’s warming up to China. Many also linked New Delhi’s recent decision to withdraw subsidy to kerosene and cooking gas with the meeting.
In its manifesto, the PDP pledges that in its first 100 days of government, its first priority will be to rebuild and strengthen India-Bhutan relations and in the long term interest of strengthening democracy, the PDP government will request India to finance a significant amount of economic stimulus plan.
