In what could arguably be described as the first foray into politics from the Bhutanese corporate world, four mid-career bankers have quit their jobs to join the fray.
All of them were employees of the Bhutan National Bank and handed in their resignations on October 31.
Sonam Penjor, 44, DPT’s candidate from Khengkhar-Weringla constituency, was the head of credit and worked for the bank since 1993. “Politics is new to every person in the country and there are good chances of clean politics,� he told Kuensel.
Peljor Rumba, 41, from Dovan gewog in Sarbang, served as BNB branch manager in Thimphu and was with the bank for sixteen years. Rumba said that he joined after continued pleading from his community members. He is competing from Shompangkha constituency as the PDP candidate.
Tandin Dukpa, 43, from Damji under Goenkhamey-Lunana constituency, resigned as deputy general manager after 14 years with the bank. “I know everyone in my constituency, which is very small, so I am confident of winning for PDP,� he said.
Chencho Dorji, 40, from Jabana, Paro, who was working as BNB regional manager in Mongar will contest as the DPT candidate from Doga-Shaba constituency. “This is a great moment for me and I finally decided to contribute my banking leadership experience in this historic process�.
All four candidates seem very pleased with their decisions and confident of popular support as they prepare to rush on their rather late familiarization tours.
In the corporate world, employees are generally well paid and get through life more comfortably than their counterparts in civil service. The response to the nation’s call has seen more of civil servants quitting their jobs to join politics. This week sees a change in the trend with four corporate employees joining different political parties.
“To join politics is about individual interest and desire. For corporate employees, I think it is a great opportunity for those with ambition, especially those who want to become popular and well known,� said Thinley, a senior civil servant. According to him, it is a positive happening in general, as there will be more employment opportunities in the corporations but, on the other hand, a vacuum is created as there is a loss of trained and experienced personnel.
A senior corporate employee commented, “As long as the intention is to serve the people and not to pursue power and corruption, it is fine for persons of any background to join politics. In fact, the parties will gain from their corporate mind-set.�
Each of the four corporate employees resigned after being approached by people of their respective villages and party workers. Source: Kuenselonline
