Dechen Dolkar
Addressing the popular perception that the opposition party has remained largely silent on various issues related to government decisions and pledges, the Opposition Leader clarified that the party’s role is to ensure effective governance rather than oppose every decision, at a press conference yesterday.
Opposition Leader Pema Chewang said that the party’s primary role is to support the government as long as it implements policies, rules, and regulations that benefit the nation and the people. “We are not here to oppose the government at every turn but to act as a check and balance, ultimately benefiting both the country and the people,” he said. “Our silence shows the maturity of the party.”
The opposition leader said that during the parliamentary session, the party has refrained from pushing for discussions on issues specific to individual constituencies. Instead, they have focused on broader issues and policies that will benefit the nation as a whole.
“We are giving the government time to work on their pledges,” he said. “After completing one year of tenure, the opposition will also follow up on their promises.”
The opposition also highlighted that 80 percent of the pledges made by both the government and the opposition during the elections were similar.
The Member of Parliament (MP) from the Maennbi-Tsaenkhar, Tempa Dorji, said that out of the 40 questions asked during the Parliament session, 19 were related to government pledges.
Opposition members have raised questions on various government pledges, including the regularisation of contract employees in the civil service, construction of Ponchula airport, rural life insurance, third child incentives, construction of the Kuri-Gongri bypass, decreasing interest rates on loans, and reduction of data charges.
The Opposition Leader said that the party also follows up on these issues bilaterally with the Prime Minister, providing suggestions to help the government achieve its pledges.
Mongar MP Naiten said that there are nine sub-committees in the Parliament where all issues are discussed. “It is not necessary to raise the issue in the public forum.”
He said that committee meetings provide a platform for both government and opposition members to raise issues collaboratively. “The ruling and the opposition MPs are working together to benefit the people.”
More than 107 committee meetings were held in a month to discuss various issues.
The opposition also claimed that the party supported all the Bills and motions that were tabled for discussion during the session.
However, the Opposition Party expressed concerns pertaining to the need for harmonisation of 47 Acts that were affected after the transformation exercise.
The Opposition Party expressed its commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in the legislative process and emphasised the importance of media in this endeavour.