It was evident that Tsirang was Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT) stronghold much before the primary poll after the party president, Lotay Tshering’s familiarization tour.

The primary election results only gave DNT candidates more hope to make it through the general election.

Both Bimal Thapa of Kilkhorthang-Mendrelgang constituency and Garjaman Rai of Sergithang-Tsirangtoed constituency won with huge vote difference from their opponents.

The young and less experienced Garjaman Rai secured 3,132 votes more than the mid-aged and experienced Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) candidate, Kewa Ram Adhikari.

Kewal Ram said that he was prepared to face any outcome. “I’ll keep on trying until I convenience my people and I’ll come back strong next time,” he said.

He added that more than the individual candidates people and the country has won.

Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) vote and postal ballot had equal force in deciding the landslide victory for DNT in both the constituencies.

Experience and age did not matter for the people of Tsirang.

One factor that helped DNT was the president, who made it sure he met the people during his three rounds of tour.

The president visited during his familiarization tour, primary election and general election campaign. These meetings saw huge voter turnout.

In Kilkhorthang-Mendrelgang constituency, 32-year-old Bimal Thapa won from the former deputy speaker, Yangku Tshering Sherpa, of DPT with a huge margin. Yangku Tshering secured 3,617 votes less than Bimal Thapa.

Yangku Tshering said that although everybody expects to win because he won once, it all depends on the people.

He said that he doesn’t know why he lost. “Politics is about time. Although l lost I’ll always keep in touch with my people and work for them.”

Nirmala Pokhrel | Tsirang