Page 26 - PDP Manifesto 2018

well wishers and all my fellow citizens
and I have prayed that the sun of peace and happiness shine over the people of Bhutan for all times to come. I also prayed to the guardian deities to aid and guide me in shouldering the overwhelming responsibility of serving our beloved nation.
We, Bhutanese, have been very fortunate
to be born in a land where we have always had Bodhisattva Kings. Our Kings have always been our inspiration. During the coronation speech at the Changlimithang on November 7, 2008, His Majesty said, “ roughout my reign I will never rule you as a King. I will protect you as a parent, care for you as a brother and serve you as
a son. I shall give you everything and keep nothing; I shall live such a life as a good human being that you may nd it worthy to serve as an example for your children; I have no personal goals other than to ful ll your hopes and aspirations. I shall always serve you, day and night, in the spirit
of kindness, justice and equality.” ese words of His Majesty echoed with every Bhutanese heart.
Unlike other democracies around the world, ours was not a result of a struggle. It came at the best of times. It came
as a gi from the rone. e Golden rone called upon the people to embrace democracy and the people of Bhutan did so. Our people contributed in their own ways. When we became a democracy in
2008, a 65-year-old woman, Tshewang Dema, answered the call of the rone to participate in the democratic process and walked more than 600 kilometers from capital imphu all the way to Trashiyangtse just to cast her vote.
e PDP became the rst political party in 2007 when His Majesty the Fourth King introduced parliamentary democracy.
Our people gave us 33% of the national vote in 2008 and we served the nation
as a humble two-member opposition. In 2013, the citizens of Bhutan gave the PDP an overwhelming 54.88% of the votes and the honor to serve the Tsa Wa Sum as the second democratically elected government. In the past 10 years, we have served our nation in the capacity of the world’s smallest opposition and also as the ruling party.
Today, Bhutan has reached a point from where it will only grow and all this has been possible with the visionary guidance of His Majesty, the wishful prayers of our clergy and the hard work of all our fellow citizens.
As we approach the third democratic elections in 2018, the PDP has put together, yet again, a crop of experienced and dynamic leaders who have pledged to serve the people of Bhutan with full dedication. e PDP candidates are united in the
belief that the people of Bhutan deserve no less than peace, prosperity and happiness
MANIFESTO : 2018 25
PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC PARTY
UNITY. STABILITY. PROSPERITY.