Local DPT workers appeal against candidate
January 9, 2008 -Thimphu: Druk Phuensum Tshogpa supporters including coordinators and village tshogpas from four geogs of Kengkhar-Weringla constituency in Mongar have appealed to the Election Commission of Bhutan and the DPT executive committee against the party’s decision to give the ticket to Sonam Penjore and not to Rinzin Jamtsho, who they say, has popular support.
The petition signed by 55 party members from Kengkhar, Jurmi, Silambi and Gongdue geogs said that Sonam Penjore was not the candidate of their choice and alleged him of carrying a firearm during his familiarization tour. “I did carry my firearm with me and it was holstered. Based on the mountainous terrain and the forests that I had to walk through I carried the firearm as a cautionary measure,” a DPT press release quoted Sonam Penjore. “There are times when I have to go through several hours in the forest. Wild animals were destroying crops and I was walking through their territory. It was only for safety, I don’t mind the complaints about carrying a licensed firearm, and to me it is better than being mauled by a wild animal,” he said.
The petitioners also alleged that Sonam Penjor, in informal dress, asked to lower the national flag in Gongdue geog which complainants said was unethical and total misconduct on his part, and against the national interest. While the press release stated that the incident never took place, Sonam Penjor said, “I have no authority to even make a suggestion like this, I know the significance of the flag and I would never ever think of it.”
The complainants also alleged him for carrying out his familiarization tour before he resigned from service. DPT refuted this allegation saying that Sonam Penjor took leave from his office to meet the residents of his hometown after he was requested to represent them. The management of Bhutan National Bank where Sonam Penjor worked, said he resigned after he decided to join politics, stated the press release. “He goes by the rules, we have no problem with what he has done,” the press release quoted a senior BNB official. The release also stated that an official of the Election Commission said they had no issue with the person in question as financial institutions had their own rules.
Meanwhile, the petition stated the party did not respect popular will and the candidate selection was done by the 20 party coordinators and the party executive committee. It also stated that the four geogs of the five in the constituency did not support the candidate chosen by the party. “We support the party. We are committed to it, but we want our candidate,” the petitioners said.
“It is not to say that Sonam Penjor is incompetent. It is the matter of choice of the people. And our choice must be respected,” said a DPT goeg coordinator. “During the familiarization tour, DPT told us they would send a team to study on which candidate enjoyed popular support. The party didn’t send anyone,” they said.
Talking to BT Rinzin Jamtsho said he was thankful for the popular support. “I urge them to choose their candidate from the broader perspective of national interest and expect the public to continue to support the party.” “I request the people who supported me to work together for the well being of the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa,” he added.
Sonam Penjore was a founding member of the DPT while Rinzin Jamtsho joined DPT after he could not win a PDP ticket.
Leave a Comment