Lobbying for post draws criticism, delegates not happy
By Pawan Sharma
Dharamsala, September 9: Eyebrows are being raised over intense political manoeuvring and behind the scene lobbying that for the first time dominated the election of Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) president and new Central Executive held on Wednesday evening following a five day long general body meeting here.
Over 200 delegates of about 55 regional chapters from across India, Nepal and Bhutan of the TYC had assembled here to elect the 10-member central executive (centrex) to run the affairs of the TYC in next three years.
Interestingly, even as the delegates tried to edge out the outgoing TYC president Kalsang Phuntsok from again “grabbing” this post, he bounced back in the last round and installed himself as the TYC chief, much to the surprise of many.
That delegates were not happy with the style of functioning of Kalsang Phuntsok became evident when he was polled just 85 votes and was placed in the 9th position of total 10 members elected for the highest decision making body centrex which then elects president, vice president and general secretary.
However, in the absence of a viable alternative in the centrex, Kalsang managed to become the TYC president, though as per the voting trend he was not the choice for this post.
“Kalsang has become the TYC president by default. The potential contenders for this post were elbowed out by changing the charter of the TYC. Kalsang turned the tide in his favour after making it to the centrex as other members who were polled more votes than him were inexperienced,” said a delegate requesting anonymity.
During the general body meeting, the TYC changed its charter. It was approved that nominee for the central executive should have served as executive member of any regional chapter of the TYC. This move reportedly masterminded by the TYC chief sealed the fate of those who were in the race of becoming the new TYC president or making it to the centrex.
“The delegates were outwitted by the clever moves of the TYC chief who persuaded the delegates to change the charter with the ulterior motive of installing himself as the TYC president again. It was a well planned move which the delegates could not understand as they were unaware that it was a move to clip the wings of those who though in the race of the TYC chief, were not fulfilling this new condition,” said a delegate.
Repeated efforts to contact the TYC chief Kalsang failed as he was said to be busy in the meeting.
According to sources present in the meeting, after the centrex was elected high drama was witnessed in the venue of meeting. Realising that Kalsang was on the verge of becoming president again even as he was not their choice, the delegates tried to persuade former TYC presidents to shoulder this responsibility again.
The delegates were seen imploring Lhasang Tsering and Karma Chophel (Ex-TYC chiefs) to take up the leadership of the TYC.
The critics within the TYC have always accused their president Kalsang of doing too little in the past three years. “The contribution of the TYC in the past three years was chain hunger strike out side UN office which was mismanaged and freedom march from Dharamsala to Delhi. The freedom march is in the public memory, thanks to Kangra police’s action of alleged lathi-charge. Otherwise who would have noticed this march. What else the TYC did? Nothing,” quipped another critic.
