KP Sharma

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has pledged to transform Nganglam into an economic hub, considering its strategic location at the crossroads of east, west, central, southern, and northern dzongkhags.

PDP President Tshering Tobgay made these commitments during a meeting with Nganglam, which has been one of the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa’s (DPT) strongholds for the last three elections.

“We have planned the Nganglam throm during our tenure, and it’s time to implement it,” he said. 

The president assured that the party if elected would finalise a town development plan for Nganglam, initiate township development, and upgrade the Nganglam hospital to a full-fledged hospital.

Regarding the concerns about the privatisation of National Referral Hospital, he said that the party has never pledged or have said anything about it.

“Rumours regarding the privatisation of the national referral hospital and people having to pay for health services aren’t true,” he said.  

Further, Tshering Tobgay pledged to develop a comprehensive tourism plan for Nganglam and neighboring dzongkhags, promoting tourism in the region.

To improve services, PDP promised to establish the Nganglam checkpoint as an international gateway for tourists and international visitors.

In a bid to enhance economic opportunities, PDP committed to identifying and developing industrial estates in Nganglam, fostering the establishment of industries and enterprises.

President Tobgay highlighted the importance of improving major roads like Nganglam to Gyalpoishing, Nganglam to Pemagatshel and Nganglam to Panbang and also talked about the benefits of southern highways connecting different dzongkhags and regions.

Tshering Tobgay appealed to voters to vote for the capable party.  He emphasised the need to vote for the competence of the party rather than regional influence. “We don’t elect the prime minister for a region; we are all Bhutanese after all.”

A 46-year-old voter, Pema, expressed her belief in voting as an individual right and stated that the elected government should prioritise the welfare of the people above everything else.

Nganglam constituency has been the stronghold of Druk Phuensum Tshogpa in the last three elections although Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa won the bye-election in 2020.

During the primary round, Druk Phuensum Tshogpa secured the highest votes in the constituency followed by PDP.

The PDP president will meet the people of Jomotshangkha today.