Austerity when election nears

 Dasho Z thinks the DNT MP Karma Donnen Wangdi’s decision to step down as minister is only natural. He hasn’t got a ministry to cling to. What is unnatural is that the government allowed the MP to hold the cabinet portfolio though the ministry reshuffling erased his ministry almost 6 months ago. The DNT came to power by overselling austerity. Being a bit wiser would have helped the party in the next election.

What took so long to decide who should step down? Maybe they pushed the date to step down so that the austerity the government followed would remain fresh in public sentiment when the elections are held next year. Public sentiment is important for the party.

Dr Lotay and Co. know recasting their public image is a vital prerequisite for the next polls in which they have decided to contest, though the prime minister had asked people to give him one chance. He had assured he would deliver and not re-contest. Power strips people of their principles. We can’t blame the prime minister for choosing to re-contest. He certainly can in a democracy. 

The two red scarves and lung mar boost the party's image considerably. But that will not be enough. The economy is down. The country is riding a roughshod. There are views that the Govt. is responsible for all that’s happening in the country because of its weak economic decision-making. This isn’t true, but the hoi polloi doesn’t get to the finer nuances.

 It looks like DNT hopes Dasho SK will salvage its image. I am afraid I am pessimistic about it. Dasho SK doesn’t enjoy much popularity among people. His 2018 book earned him a handful of opponents. Those of us who allowed him to enjoy the benefit of the doubt feel he isn't the institution that his fans like to believe he is after reading the book. PM yesterday said the party is yet to decide who will lead it in the next election. If it’s for Dasho Z to decide, Dr L should lead the party. He is far more popular than Dasho SK. Dasho SK isn't made up of prime ministerial stuff. There is no quibble here.       

Though the stepping down was delayed, DNT actually got some brownie points here. The past precedence is rather bad. In 2018, Dasho TT sent Lyonpo Sherpa on paid leave after Sherpa’s name was muddied in some scandals. He was on paid leave till their tenure ended. He should have been relieved of his duties and removed from the payroll. He wasn't, after all, faultless. 

Anyway, Dr Lotay Tshering and Co. have decided to contest. They got the right. I only hope some power centres are not flexing their economic muscle to influence the elections, especially after the PM’s statement on the border issues. Some quarters have labelled him as pro-China, a label that isn’t exactly a good one when elections are near. Let’s go back to 2013 to know why.