PDP renames Tobgay as pary president

The national convention of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) held on Sunday in Thimphu re-elected Tshering Tobgay as the party’s president for the next five-year term. The gathering named Thrimshing MP Dorji Choden as Vice President.

Choden had joined PDP in 2013 general election after the party she led, Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa, was routed out in the first round of elections.

Tobgay and Choden were the candidates for the posts for which the members voted ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Tobgay received 389 “Yes” and 62 “No” votes while Choden received 378 “Yes” and 71 “No” votes.

Choden replaced Damcho Dorji as the second in command of the party. Sonam Jatsho will continue working as party general secretary. No election was held for this position and other executive members of the party.

Addressing the gathering, president Tobgay claimed his government lived up to its promises and served the country with humility.

“People appreciate because whatever we promised are being delivered,” he said. He said that although planning for the election was important, it was more important to serve the people for the remaining eight months of the government’s tenure.

Tobgay hinted at replacing some of the minister or MPs with new faces in the next elections but did not name who they are.

At the convention, the party also announced three new candidates. Sonam Jatso for Gangzur-Minjey constituency in Lhuentse, Tandin Dorji for South Thimphu, and Tobgay for Drametse-Ngatshang of Mongar.