With Poll Day for the Thromde Elections in Phuentshogling and Thimphu approaching, candidates are stepping up their campaigns to win over voters. In Phuentshogling Thromde, Deepen Ghallay and Tashi Wangchuk are contesting for the post of Thrompon.
39-year-old Deepen Ghallay says improving access to safe and reliable drinking water and expediting the implementation of Local Area Plans will be his key priorities if elected.
Deepen Ghallay, representing Phuentshogling Toed Constituency, holds a Master’s Degree in Planning and Business Entrepreneurship from the International School of Business and Economics in Kolkata, India. Before entering the race, he worked as a manager at a private company.
With Phuentshogling continuing to face drinking water shortages, Deepen says ensuring a safe and reliable water supply for residents will be his top priority if elected.
He said, “To mitigate the problem, Thromde has already identified the areas where reservoir tanks are constructed in Kabreytar. Likewise, Thromde has also identified the area for reservoir construction in Rinchending and Pasakha. So, in case I get elected as the Thrompon, I will work together to enable enough water supply to all residents 24/7.”
He also promises to review and expedite the implementation of Local Area Plans to support urban development.
“Local Area Plan is very important. To bring developmental activities, we have to see and check on the ongoing works so that we can continue with the developmental activities. The moratorium has been lifted in December last year I will prioritise on all the pending works. Also, the monsoon has damaged many roads so to bring developments, I will focus on The Local Area Plan.”
If elected, Deepen also pledges to remove bottlenecks affecting cross-border trade, streamline business regulatory processes and online municipal services, and propose the development of new bypass roads.
Deepen says he hopes to be remembered as a leader who addressed the everyday concerns of residents.
42-year-old Tashi Wangchuk says improving access to safe and reliable drinking water and strengthening disaster prevention and management will be his key priorities if elected.
Tashi Wangchuk, representing Nyedra Constituency, holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce from the University of North Bengal in India. Before entering politics, he established a gymnasium and worked as a fitness trainer.
Tashi says improving access to a safe and reliable water supply across Phuentshogling Thromde will be his top priority if elected.
He said, “To solve the water problems in our locality, and the entire six demkhongs, I think we should first have a good water source. So, first, I will look for reliable water sources and then, if possible, set up water reservoirs for emergencies. Also, I would prefer having expertise from outside so that we can have reliable water sources.”
His second priority is to strengthen disaster prevention and management through better planning, technical expertise, and preparedness.
“I feel we should have good expertise who could work on landslide-prone areas and also bring in necessary equipment from outside. Also, we should not only look at the current situation before we come up with any developmental activities, but we should also do proper research and survey.”
If elected, Tashi also pledges to support local businesses to boost tourism, improve public safety, and make municipal services more accessible and efficient.
Tashi says he hopes to be remembered as a leader who listened to the people, delivered on his promises, and served with integrity.
Kinley Dem, Phuentshogling
Edited by Sangay Chezom
