Bhutan Kuen-Nyam party (BKP) introduced three candidates at the party’s head office in Thimphu, yesterday.

Leki Wangdi, 62, a retired colonel and a medical doctor will contest from Chhoekhor-Tang constituency, Bumthang. He will contest against his cousin, the Opposition Leader Pema Gyamtsho (Dr) in 2018.

Leki Wangdi who is from Tang gewog has served for 35 years with the Royal Bhutan Army and Royal Body Guard and has a MBBS degree from the Armed Forces Medical College in Pune, India.

“I have always wanted to serve Chhoekhor-Tang constituency but duty is beyond and you never get time to serve your own people,” Leki Wangdi said. “I thought that now I’ve retired, maybe this is the time I serve the people and decided to join politics.”

He added that after studying various political parties for the last two years, he decided to join BKP because the party has a clear, good environment, and an obligation that would not hurt the feelings of people.

Having served in the civil service for 19 years and now a businessman, 58-year old Nim Dorji will be contesting from Lamgong-Wangchang constituency, Paro. He has a Bachelors degree in agriculture economics from Washington, State University.

“I’ve worked in rural areas and working with farmers have taught me much about issues people face in rural Bhutan,” he said. “After consulting the people, I decided to join BKP because this is a party that is serious about serving the people and the country with dedicated members.”

Realising that not many wanted to join politics, Thinley Dorji, 48, said he felt he should join and serve the people from Bongo-Chapcha constituency, Chukha. Thinley Dorji who is a businessman has a Bachelor’s degree in political science from Delhi University.

“I chose BKP because I’ve always been a member of this party and now with Dasho Neten as the president, there is no question of integrity and people have faith in her,” he said. “I decided to join because I got good feedback from people.”

All three candidates said that what motivated them to join BKP was the party presidents, Dasho Neten Zangmo whom they described as a strong leader and vice-president Sonam  Tobgay.

Sonam Tobgay said the party would introduce eight more candidates on November 15 and all 47 members by December.

Yangchen C Rinzin