Service with humility’ is the People’s Democratic Party’s selling point and the party president seems to be leading with example.

“Service with humility is in tune with the changes. It means the government has to be responsive as its own survival depends on the peoples’ support,” said the PDP president, Sangay Ngedup. “People become masters and the government the servant.”

He added that the entire process was to prepare the people mentally to accept the changes and to understand what it means in their lives. “It is learning to hear the voices of the people, especially the poor and the needy. Service with humility also means disciplining the ministers and ensuring that they function with a code of conduct,” he said.

“The ministers have to understand that they are now servants of the people as people have elected them. They must show respect and concern toward the people and be ready at all times to look into their needs at close quarters,” the party president said. “They will be required to keep in touch with the people at all levels particularly the grassroots.”

And while the ministers will use the same vehicles that will be issued to the MPs and chimis, the party will also ensure that there are no fancy arrangements when the ministers visit different districts. And as far as their spouses are concerned, Sangay Ngedup said that there will definitely and absolutely be no Prados for them.

“We expect our ministers to conduct themselves with humility and simplicity and be role models for the bureaucracy. That would also include our MPs,” he said.

Asked if the candidates in his government will be able to deliver all that and follow suit, he said: “I do believe in them because they are all well educated and have years of experience. The majority of them come from humble background and are therefore down to earth.”

He added that since both the ministers in PDP are down to earth and used to hardships, the rest will follow suit through the example they set.

“My head is still burnt by the sun,” he laughed, referring to his long day in Dogar geog in Paro.

He walked tirelessly, spoke skillfully and conquered the hearts of the people of Dogar, only to find more people waiting anxiously to meet him in Shaba, on his return there Friday evening.

On the request of Kinga, 53, from Shaba geog, the PDP frontman, Sangay Ngedup, had agreed to put up in his farmhouse for the night. Although tired and resting on a makeshift bed on the floor, he looked as dapper as always meeting people who had flocked from as far off as Nubri (13 hours walk from Paro), to discuss their problems and catch a glimpse of him. Even though it was late into the night, no one left disappointed.

Accompanied by an elderly woman, 50 years old Tobgay was next in line. “I was supposed to return to Nubri today, but cancelled it because I got to know that Lyonpo is in town,” he said in excitement. “I want to talk to him about our problems and listen to him speak.”

There was an even bigger crowd waiting downstairs that kept the host and his family busy – serving food and refreshment. While a small group of dancers performed, all eyes were toward the door anticipating the PDP president’s entry. He smiled as he enters the porch at 9:30 and sat himself for a long night ahead.

As ‘walking the talk’ is another pillar of PDP, he explained what it meant.

“If we say we will do it, we will,” he said. “After active consultation with the people on their needs and looking at the government resources and capabilities, we will deliver what they want and not what we feel they need. There will be no empty promises made.”

Is he uncomfortable sleeping in a farmhouse surrounded by paddy fields?

“I have been so used to sleeping in remote huts in villages, this appears like a palace,” he smiled.

The next morning as people thronged the Shaba School auditorium to listen to the PDP frontman, Kinga, the host of the previous night had made up his mind. “Although I am not yet a member of any party, I have decided to join PDP. I had invited Lyonpo and requested him to stay in my house; I can see what he can do for the people and what he has done so far.”

Except for the occasional cough and clearing of throats, there was silence in the hall as the PDP president spoke.

“The two parties (PDP and Druk Phuensum Tshogpa) are not enemies; we are just two different parties. If you support one party and your neighbor supports another, don’t stop talking to each other. If you do that it is very unhealthy. You have to look at the common good of the country and the people,” he said.

“If you think DPT is good for you, give them your support and if you think PDP is good for you, give them your support,” he said.
Source: Bhutan Times