Apolitically political

If the country’s political affairs continue to confuse people, its apolitical aspect has proven to be even more confusing.

As National Council aspirants begin emerging, going to zomdus, and some finding people’s support, many following developments are beginning to raise issues about a few of them.

Those in the new political parties have raised their concerns over some aspiring council candidates, who, they pointed out, had strong affiliation with the ruling party of Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT).

They [... Read More]

At cross-purposes?

Just a few months ago, it was the Office of the Attorney General and the Anti Corruption Commission that were at loggerheads, on whether there existed a case, with regard to the Gyalpoizhing land allotment case.

This time it is the Election Commission of Bhutan and the Supreme Court that are on opposite sides of the fence, on whether the national council members need to resign to re contest.

With the election process for the national council [... Read More]

To have their cake and eat it too

Upbeat one moment and glum the next, serving National Council members, of late, have been finding themselves frequently caught between the two extremes of temperament.

Initially, they were unsure whether they had to resign to re-contest for another term and forgo the end-of-term benefits, or take the benefits by serving until the end of their first term, but lose the chance for a second term.

Gradually, as the puzzle progressed, an interpretation of allowing existing members to [... Read More]

The few much in demand

While the entire country is still talking about and analysing the verdict of the Gyalpoizhing land allotment case, with opinions going from one extreme to the other, the political parties have other things on their mind.

And that is to get confirmed candidates from all 47 constituencies, a prerequisite to be able to contest the elections.

With the clock ticking, parties are basically trying to reach out for the same group of people, and even announcing on [... Read More]

The yes man’s syndrome

Even as the prominent political figures convicted in the Gyalpoizhing land allotment case are yet to make up their minds on whether to appeal the district court verdict, the mood among the other committee members is of lost hope and disillusion.

Most or all of them are civil servants, who have served many years in the civil service, and the verdict has basically brought up the question of whether they can continue in service, or whether [... Read More]

Resign or retire

The election commission has announced the date for the national council election as April 23, which leaves about six weeks for aspirants and re-contestants to get their act together.

But what the commission did not say is whether the present set of councillors would be allowed to re-contest, while still in office.

Instead, it said those in office, who wish to re-contest, must first resign.  This brings the council back to square one, for now, as far [... Read More]

The end of the road?

The verdict on Gyalpoizhing is out, but the case is far from over.

Not only because the court is yet to make its statement on the plots that were illegally purchased as deemed by the anti corruption commission, but also because those handed down sentences could appeal to a higher court.

Social media sites are overflowing with views and opinions on the verdicts handed down to members of the plot allotment committee.

Quite a few feel the verdict [... Read More]

Cutting it fine

Everyone expected some important announcements to be made at the closing session of parliament on Thursday, the last one for the first democratically elected parliament.

There was word that His Majesty, who, together with the council and assembly, constitute parliament, would not only announce the election dates for the council, as stated in the election act, but also clarify whether the present councillors can re contest without having to resign from office.

Nothing of that sort happened, [... Read More]

A tussle for human resource

In a recent gathering, an aspiring party candidate was jestingly heard saying he might remain an aspiring candidate in the coming election.

The comment was made in the context of fulfilling obligations to the civil service commission, by continuing to serve in the civil service for long-term training and studies availed.

As was the case in the 2008 election, candidates for political parties, as well as the national council, are likely to be drawn from the bureaucracy.

In [... Read More]

The Rupee hippo in the report

In his state of the nation report to parliament on Monday, the prime minister gave his government a very positive report card, a pat on the back, on its performance over the past five years.

That was only to be expected.  On the eve of elections, most governments are likely to tow that line, even if they have not done as well on the ground.

Together with the state of the nation report, packed with statistics and [... Read More]