If there is a more committed and capable candidate from my dzongkhag, I will back out and support him.  But if the candidate is corrupt I will challenge him to the very end. 

By mitra raj                                                                                                                          April 15,2007

Thimphu: Contrary to the popular perception that politics is for the aged and the experienced, it is the younger lot that seems to be showing a keener interest in it.

Just a week after the Executive Editor of Bhutan Observer, Sonam Kinga, 34, declared his intention of seeking nomination to the National Council urging others to do the same, Sonam Phuntsho, 32, didn’t let the plea fall on deaf ears.

Sonam Phuntsho, better known as Sherlock among his friends, intends to contest from Bumthang.

“Many people think Bumthang is a developed dzongkhag, but the very village I come from (Choekhor) is pretty impoverished. The problems of these people have never been addressed,” he said.

Currently working as a focal person in the Planning Commission, he was persuaded by friends, relatives and prominent people in his village to stand for the prestigious position.

“I think the biggest contribution with my background in planning is that I have already seen the challenges our country faces, especially the economic challenges,” said Sonam Phuntsho. “My intention is to find out people’s problems and include them in the national policy so that they are addressed.”

Sonam Phuntsho, who stood third in the 2000 civil service examinations, feels that eradicating poverty alone will be a big challenge for the government that comes into power in 2008. He also stressed that equal distribution of development budget to all the dzongkhags was crucial for a regionally balanced growth of the country.

“My strongest feeling is that the National Council should be a strong body with knowledgeable, well qualified and unbiased people,” said Sonam Phuntsho, who has a master’s degree in Social and Information Studies from Gunma University, Japan.

Asked why he chose to contest for the Upper House, he said: “I think I can contribute much more than the existing politicians are doing.”

Although he awaits the government to accept his resignation, he is confident that it will come through. “I am optimistic that they will take my case positively as I have no ulterior motive,” he said.

He will begin campaigning to garner support as soon as his resignation is accepted.

“My concern is the same as the Election Commission’s, that there will be a lack of qualified people in the National Council,” he said. “Every capable person should come forward and fulfill our Druk Gyalpo’s vision.”

A senior civil servant from Bumthang said, “Sonam Phuntsho is a competent candidate who has policy analysis and IT background.”

According to Phuntsho, a Bumthang resident, Sonam Phuntsho is capable and has the support of all the people of Choekhor and 80% support of the people of Ura.

“It is good he is contesting,” he said.