By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, April 6: In what turns out to be yet another setback for the current Tibetan cabinet headed by the Tibetan PM Lobsang Sangay, the minister for security Dongchung Ngodup resigned from his post on Wednesday with immediate effect.
According to the announcement made by the Kashag Secretariat, Dongchung Ngodup resigned from his office this morning (April 6) and Kalon Tsering Dhondup of Department of Finance will take over the department of security.
Speaking to reporters, Dongchung Ngodup said, “I took the decision after what His Holiness said during the centenary celebration of Men-Tsee-Khang and the reprimand from the state oracles, which laid some doubts over my capability to carry on with my responsibilities. Therefore, I resigned on moral grounds and it was a personal decision.”
Ngodup said the Tibetan PM and his colleagues requested him to reconsider his decision. Ngodup said that he had made up his mind and nothing would change his decision.
“I am little sad for not completing my full tenure. However, I am very proud of what I have achieved and as a Kalon of security department, I feel fortunate to have been able to serve and handle the security matters of His Holiness the Dalai Lama,” the man responsible for the Tibetan leader’s security said.
He added that his resignation might lead to some debate in the Tibetan community. He, however, clarified that his decision to quit was solely a matter of moral responsibility and not due to any differences or disappointment with the present Kashag.
With just months left for his tenure to end, his resignation leaves the current cabinet with only five members. Earlier on February 28, Kalon of Information and International Relations, Dicki Chhoyang, resigned from her post before the the Tibetan elections.
Ngodup has served as Minister for the Department of Security in the previous cabinet (13th Kashag Sept 2006 – Aug 2011) and the current cabinet (14th Kashag) under the leadership of Tibetan PM Lobsang Sangay. Before serving as a Kalon for two terms, he served as the Secretary of the security department from 1993 – 2006.
