Challenging the JYT factor in Bhutanese politics
Bhutan is gradually opening up. Freedom of organisation, freedom to choose political through is getting in though the Bhutanese blood and sense. The mouths that remained shut for centuries are looking for every opportunity to speak, marginalised and sidelined personalities are taking up to show the strength. Suppressed groups are creating avenues to make their voices heard.
Politics is the dominant force in any society for change. Bhutanese remained unchanged for years because politics remain stagnant. Now, as people take extra steps to come out of the Druk regime’s closet, political activism is taking momentum.
There was issue of hot discussion about a socialist party coming up earlier. However, as socialism is perceived as threat to the throne, possible pressure from pundits might have shut their mouth. They changed their name. A group was forced to changed their political believe probably on immense pressure. It did not end. Finally, the socialists have emerged again with the name Druk Chirwang Tshogpa or Druk Democratic Socialist Party.
The party has claimed that so far it has 300 members and 12 confirmed candidates of 25 potential candidates. One or two of the confirmed candidate are civil servants while most of them are from the private sector.
Two parties are in parliament; two have already announced their formation and one more is added to the list. It is not sure, if it is planned strategy of the ruling DPT to divide the opposition vote bank. In one way, Bhutan’s frustrated, sidelined and crushed section of the population is speaking up but in other way, they are making the DPT stronger.
None of these new parties have yet chosen their leader. The process is painful and difficult. In a guided democracy like Bhutan, president’s image is more powerful instrument to get votes over party manifesto, ideology and strength of individual candidates. DPT’s win in 2008 was the JYT factor. The new parties are looking for face that can challenge JYT.
Though, JYT factor could become instrument for DPT to win the vote, Bhutan is unlikely to get his leadership for long. JYT has possibility to get a bigger job in UN if UN’s effort to work out on happiness gets through next year. JYT is leader the world experts to formulate report and recommendations on how UN can make happiness as one of the development index. In fact, JYT has already created a secretariat for UN commission on happiness to be operational from Thimphu. If this commission comes into operation though UN session next year, when Bhutan with support from other friends submits report on happiness, JYT has possibility to get job as leading figure in the commission. Then, Bhutan and DPT will no more be accessing his services.
However, DPT will obviously use JYT as tool to garner votes in 2013 election and JYT will possibly leave the party to work in UN after the election. Without him, it is difficult for the party to win majority.
The general public remain unaware of the unfolding scenario. Thus, JYT’s presence in DPT will garner enough votes unless the opposing parties are able to inform the public that he might not be serving the country even it he gets votes. And this is a herculean task for germinating parties, who are yet to find any capable candidates. Better solution would be the merger of them all.