Ex-Prime Minister Jigme Yozer
Thinley was unquestionably at ease as if he had already known the outcome of
election when the election result was announced that revealed the defeat of DPT
in the General Election by PDP. As reported by a media, JYT was kind enough to
congratulate current Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay through SMS immediately
after the result was out after a failed attempt to connect him over phone,
which by and large is unlikely given the circumstance. His post election address
to the nation also reflects how honorable JYT was composed and determined to
serve the nation in spite losing the General Election unfairly. He
said that DPT has set exemplary precedent as first ruling government and
that DPT as Opposition will again set the benchmark how an Opposition should
be. “I’m not sad from the loss, because my responsibility as always is to keep
myself and my people strong to strengthen our democracy,” a newspaper quoted
him as saying. There was no cloud of doubt that JYT will resign at that point
of time.
The DPT’s post election meet convened amongst supporters,
members and party workers from across the country at Thimphu on 15th
July, 2013 culminated into strong 15 points election petition. The meeting that
dragged on for two days saw people express dissatisfaction in strongest term on
the ‘unfair election.’ “People are sad not with loss. People are disheartened
with the unfair means used that are in contravention with laws,” a party worker
was quoted as saying.
As reported in the Kuensel issue
of 20th July, 2013, of the 15 issues, some of the main ones included
politicisation, or involvement of officials within His Majesty’s secretariat
and the timing of their granting of kidus, in terms of census and land to
people. The PDP claiming itself to be a party of the King and some of its
candidates claiming to have joined the party following the King’s command was
also among the issues.
The other issues included as per
Kuensel are; Allegations of the BCCI president telling people that PDP was
established to protect the institution; PDP’s pledges to give people census, land
and luring armed forces, which were royal prerogatives; the issue of disallowing
representatives, or party appointed observers at the closing of electronic
voting machines (EVM) at numerous polling stations across the country; complaints
of postal ballots that were sent on behalf of students and spouses and family
members of the armed forces; Involvement of military officials, especially in
relation to postal ballots, their use of coercion, forgery and involvement of
retired military officials in the electoral process; involvement of local
government officials in persuading voters by campaigning openly and calling
meetings; involvement of interim government advisor like Dasho Karma Ura, a
civil servant who was supposed to remain apolitical and facilitate free and fair
election taking sides; Dragging in country’s foreign policy, particularly that
of Indo-Bhutan relations and how the DPT government strained it.
As demanded by the people, DPT as
a representative of about 45% voter population made a decent move to simply
report the political wrong-doings to be addressed so that they do not occur in
future which in fact may protect the interest of democracy in Bhutan. It was
declared that DPT’s 15 elected members would not assume the role of Opposition
until the 15 points petitions were addressed. “It’s in deed in your hands to decide
whether we assume the role of the opposition,” party president, JYT declared
to the supporters and members.
Soon after the DPT’s 20 member representatives
received audience with His Majesty the King on 21st July, 2013, DPT had decided
to assume the role of Opposition in its executive meeting conducted on the same
day. A newspaper described; ‘10 party workers including an elected candidate,
looking rather dismal, conveyed the news.’ Party coordinator Dago Tshering was quoted
as saying that His Majesty had assured them that “he’d look into the matter and
instruct Election Commission of Bhutan accordingly.” This has been the last reported
update on the 15-points grievances.
To the utter shock of nation, Hon’ble JYT had
put in his resignation on July 31 even before the inauguration of the new parliament.
It was indeed highly unusual/unexpected move by a person of such caliber. The abrupt ceasing of his celebrated career before time in such a strange way sounds unwarranted. ‘To
give chance to the aspiring young politicians,’ was the official reason stated
for his resignation. The Bhutan’s first Prime Minister, whose services to the
nation is immeasurable, whose leadership
has earn acclamation from amongst the world leaders and whose leadership scares
even mighty India has finally exited from active politics under mysterious circumstance.
Different accounts of inconclusive stories have been making rounds as to how and
why JYT resigned. The truth can be revealed only with time. It’s thus the
puzzle left for the future generation to crack and unveiled the mystery in the
years to come.
