They say there should be room in a democracy for constructive criticism
UNSC Non Permanent Seat: The prime minister seems to have no respect and regard for the institution or duty of the opposition party, as enshrined in the Constitution, according to the two opposition members.
This was in response to what Prime Minister Jigmi Y Thinley had said during the recent meet-the-press session.
The prime minister had refuted remarks the opposition leader, Tshering Tobgay, had made on the government’s bid for a non-permanent seat to the UN Security Council after the results were announced, calling it “unpatriotic and disloyal”.
“The honourable prime minister’s derogatory remarks indicate that, while the government wants to take all the credit for any success, it doesn’t want to be held accountable or face criticism for any of its failures,” opposition member Damcho Dorji said.
He said the opposition party was, however, not surprised that the prime minister has gone on record to label the opposition leader as “unpatriotic and disloyal”.
“Such incidences have occurred before, like when the government demeaned the judiciary, when they lost the Constitutional case,” he said.
He said the government has also “undermined” the institutions of the election commission, anti-corruption commission and media on various occasions.
“We feel the prime minister’s remarks are an attempt to deflect public attention from the government’s failed UN security council bid, and from a series of allegations of corruption that continue to plague the government,” Damcho Dorji said.
After the results were announced, where Bhutan was eliminated in the first round, the opposition leader, in the press conference, said the government’s international priorities were “irresponsible at best”, and that it should devote its attention to issues in the country.
They also called on the government to review its foreign policy.
Opposition leader said, if the prime minister had explained why the opposition’s concerns was unfounded and wrong, it would be a healthy debate, with an exchange of views and ideas, keeping in mind the best interest of the nation and people.
“But what the prime minister has expressed amounts to defamation, to libel and mudslinging,” Tshering Tobgay said.
He said, while a vibrant democracy required various institutions to play their part, and uphold honest checks and balance, it was not any constructive argument the government presented.
“It was an all out mudslinging and defamation of the opposition,” he said. “That isn’t healthy for a democracy.”
Saying that it could be a “game of politics”, Damcho Dorji said it was not so much of a criticism they made, but they had simply asked government to review their foreign policy.
“After spending so much resources on the campaign, since the results weren’t so favourable, it’s our duty as opposition to ask and review the foreign policy,” he said. “What’s wrong with that?”
Saying that government has not revealed the accounts of how much was spent in campaigning for the seat, Damcho Dorji said it has almost become a norm for government not to do so.
Audit report on lottery scam, accounts of people, who accompanied the prime minister on various trips abroad, details of health referrals to third countries authorised by the prime minister’s office, were some of the inquiries that went unanswered.
“We asked on many occasions for such accounts, but it has never been furnished,” he said.
Meanwhile, the opposition members said they “will not be intimidated by the prime minister’s derogatory remarks”.
“Instead, we shall continue to discharge our duties faithfully, without fear or favour, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, and in the interest of the country and the people,” he said.
The members of the opposition called upon the government to take the views and concerns of the opposition party constructively, and to recognise that they all shared the common objectives of strengthening the nation and fulfilling the aspirations of people.
By Kesang Dema
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