Bhutan’s new face of politics
The second round of Bhutanese elections is gradually showing the ugly faces of real power struggle that remained shut inside doors for centuries. The contesting parties are taking every opportunity to demoralise, devaluate and undermine the opposition.
Those unaware of the open governance and multi-party politics are already seeing the muddling as something that is tarnishing the serene name of the last Shangrila.
Wining votes
The primary objective is to gain maximum attention of the voters. This is politics, in essence, possible only through criticising other’s plans and programs – at least in the context of South Asian political campaigns. That’s what Bhutan is learning at this stage.
The allegations range from minor personal differences to critical national issues. In the east, the parties alleged each other for petty cases such as giving meals to people and giving away Nu 100 notes. In south citizenship and census categorisation dominated the debates and door-to-door campaigns. Parties, constitutionally, have no authority to issue citizenship yet their pledges for such issues continue. PDP claims DPT is taking credit of royal prerogatives on grating citizenship.
Relations with India
India was terribly irritated by the way JYT approached Chinese premier in Rio. Many India newspapers provoked the situation linking it to the recent subsidy cut.
One of the interim government members Karma Ura came forward to publicise the subsidy cut that left DPT impatient. In fact, Ura indirectly blamed the former government for current circumstances. The other cabinet member has mentioned they are yet to receive formal letter from the GIO with regard to some subsidy cut.
Subsidy cut in India and Bhutan’s elections are just co-incidence. Not only for Bhutan, but Indian government announced subsidy cut to many of its citizens in a major step towards reducing expenses. PDP and its supporters received a good opportunity to point fingers at DPT.
A few Indian and other papers mentioned Bhutan-India relation has strained. The reality would be easily examined once elected government is formed. But it was for sure Bhutan’s step to build diplomatic relations with China irked India. Fourth king Jigme Singye has mentioned, a decade back, that Bhutan will not maintain any diplomatic relations with permanent members of the United Nations – primarily pointing at China.
Outcomes
There aren’t any credible surveys done on possible outcomes of the elections. And such survey is rarely possible considering the terrain and topographical difficulties of the land. One online poll in Kuensel – that bring in the views from urban population and Diaspora – showed voters are more inclined to individual personality than party or leadership as general.
The 2008 elections was heavily influenced by leadership, not the personality of the individual candidates.
If such is the case, DPT is likely to return to rule but with lesser members in the parliament and PDP will emerge as stronger opposition. But PDP emerging as ruling party cannot be avoided.