Popular parties of a democracy
That was a utopian motivation for those who heard of party based political system in the country for the first. It was assured, country would do better under their leadership but what all received thought the months was ‘a glass full of air’.
Reality check made a come back when they reached the people a year later. Transforming the chaotic phrases of words spoken in public into array of promised actions is like walking on fire. Working on democracy is beyond imagination for those who passed through the ages of absolutism.
Democracy does not mean assuring people, but reflecting the words into action, setting on ethical norms and reaching out to bandage wounds and grievances of the voters. To mean these values is to change your course in the next elections.
This was what has been the result of Bhutanese ‘rhetoric’ politicians. As they change their way being a political leader, they have seen how popular had they been with people. Election was compulsion, rather exciting for Bhutanese citizens who were on booths to choose a first elected government, and there were only limited options: either vote this or that.
Popularity is not measurable in a compulsory act. When it is time for the people to make their choice, popularity has come up. To be popular, one must be selective to events, firm to words, committed to action and sincerity to works.
In the course of two months, DPT could gather rather a laughable number of members, not to speak of the PDP. DPT gathered 250 members in two months and PDP around 100 in one month of membership renewal campaign. Interestingly, most leaders who contested to loose in this year’s election vanished out of the stage and suspicion are that if they would return to their political career once again. Next elections will set the face.
If Jigmi Thinley had boasted of being the most popular leader of plural Bhutan, the pride is likely to erode with the next elections. Frustrated with the unfolding events generated by the elected leaders, discussion has already ruled the Bhutanese society to see their alternatives.
To see even the ruling party, capturing almost power of the newest democracy, failing to regain its past members is certainly the reflection of dissatisfaction prevailing on the people about what the government and leaders doing. So, it is the time to raise questions: has really the democracy came in Bhutan? Coz it was given!!