BHUTAN TODAY The New Perspective
Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) denies Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa’s (DNT) president, Lotey Tshering’s claim of employing 20 youths to defame candidates in social media discrediting the party.
At a press conference on October 4, DPT General Secretary, Sangay Phurpa it is a baseless allegation.
Lotey Tshering during his campaign in Mongar said that DPT has been engaged in criticizing pledges of DNT and involved in negative campaign. “We explain our pledges to the
people and avoid attacking others’ manifesto,” said the president.
Refuting the allegations, Sangay Phurpa said, “I don’t know from where DNT got information of DPT employed 20 youth to defame them. Facing hard time to pay salary to the office staff, I can’t think of
employing that many youths to defame DNT.” He said that DPT doesn’t consider questioning of pledges as criticism rather it’s a corner re-examine the pledges and chance to explain.
He said that doing away with cutoff point in encouraging but it will have defects to apply in long-run. It will affect quality of education as students will take it easy and in particular private schools will be affected. He also quoted that it’s not in line with the constitution. .
In Article 9, Section 16, states, “The state shall provide free education to all children of school going age up to 10th standard and ensure that technical and professional education is made generally available
and that higher education is equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.»
DNT pointed out that 10,000 MW electricity by 2030 and privatization of small hydro-projects will have adverse effects on the the gap the rich and poor with the nation’s wealth in the hands of few people.
Sangay Phurpa replied that it was good feedback and DPT take as an opportunity to justify their pledges. He said that DPT is founded on utmost integrity, sincerity, and dedication to serve Tsa-Wa-Sum and do
not see a reason to resort to such unethical way to win elections which deviates from the party principle ‘equity and justice.’
General Secretary said, “We had and have no intention to defame DNT and its desperate way campaigning with a sole aim to gain political mileage rather than giving a choice to the people.” He also pointed out that DPT is party is getting caught in a barrage of fake social media to attempt to reduce electoral chances.
By Sangay Rabten
