DNT’s Karma Dorji’s pledges made the difference 

Kelzang Wangchuk | Nganglam

The promises, the newly elected representative from Nganglam, Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa’s candidate made as a possible member of the ruling party was the decisive factor in Karma Dorji breaking the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa stronghold in Nganglam, Pemagatshel. 

Karma Dorji’s campaign on the advantages of having a candidate from the ruling party had convinced most voters in the three gewogs of the constituency.

A voter from Norbugang gewog, Sangay, said they have voted for Karma Dorji because he promised to construct a 50-bedded hospital in Nganglam and blacktop all the gewog centre (GC) and farm roads in the demkhong.

He said it would help people in the demkhong avail better health services because people cannot afford to go to Mongar, Gelephu or Thimphu to avail health services. “It is also risky to travel during monsoon because of the frequent roadblocks.”

Another voter, Tshering Zangmo, 45, said people might have changed their mind this time because of Karma Dorji’s pledges and being a candidate from the ruling party had more advantages than the opposition party. “We supported DPT before,”she said.

“We supported DNT this time because the possibility of fulfilling promises was more realistic when made by a candidate from the ruling party,” she said. “DPT, as the ruling government brought many developments.” 

Voters from Nganglam town said since Karma Dorji’s priority was to construct a 50-bedded hospital in Nganglam and blacktop the gewog and farm roads, they expect the candidate to fulfil all the pledges during his tenure.

Voters in Dechenling gewog stayed with the DPT for reasons other than political. The demise of their elected representative, late Choida Jamtsho, made them stick with the party. 

Karma Dorji lost in the gewog  with 260 votes to the DPT candidate’s 488. Although they knew the advantages of having a candidate from the ruling party, they voted for the DPT to acknowledge and thank the former DPT’s member of parliament (MP) Choida Jamtsho’s service to the nation and the people in the constituency.

They said they are also happy for the DNT’s candidate, Karma Dorji, for winning the bye-election.“We hope the elected candidate would serve his best to bring developmental activities in the demkhong and never let the people, whether they voted for him or not,down,” said a Dechenling voter.

Meanwhile, Karma Dorji said he would work hard to fulfil all the pledges he made during the campaign period, adding that the construction of the 50-bedded hospital in Nganglam is the priority, as it was decided based on the population and Nganglam being a business centre for the eastern region.

With support assured from the government, Karma Dorji said his pledges would be fulfilled 100 percent. “My pledges were decided after discussing with my party and party members. I will give my best and will not let my people down,” Karma Dorji said.

The DPT’s Rinchen Pelzang  could not be contacted a day after the election results. Kuensel’s attempt to reach him through phone calls remained unanswered since the bye-election  results were declared on Tuesday evening.