Reportage – 2006

Two to tango as the Chairman of the 14th Tibetan parliament-in-exile

DHARAMSHALA, India, 31 May 2006 — Congratulations is the word to the new 14th Parliament for resolving a difficult problem at the very beginning of their session.

Karma Choephel and Penpa Tsering will share the post of Chairman of the new parliament in two equal terms, while the deputy chairperson Gyari Dolma was re-elected to the same post.

The new 14th Assembly of Tibetan People's Deputies, popularly known as the Tibetan parliament-in-exile, was confronted with an unusual impasse over who would be the new Chairman of the new parliament. The solution was, that Karma Choephel and Penpa Tsering will share the post of Chairman of the new parliament in two equal terms.

The Election Commission of the Tibetan government-in-exile conducted the voting three times on Tuesday after the balloting remained equally split throughout the elections. Karma Choephel and Penpa Tsering were the two contenders for the coveted post. They received 21 votes each, with one abstention, each time. An extra meeting in to the night went without a solution.

A voting on Wednesday also proved futile when all the members stood firm with their positions.

The parliament decided that both would lead the house in two equal halves for the five year term tenure, after a day and half of voting and meetings. Finally, on the suggestion of the Election Commission, the members accepted to let both the contenders run the five year term devided between them, and elected Karma Choephel to lead the first half of the term.

The impasse became more cumbersome after posters denouncing Karma Choephel appeared in the premises of the Tibetan government-in-exile after Tuesday's impasse. Karma Choephel implied that the posters were the work of his opponent, however Penpa Tsering refused the allegation.

The Exile Tibetan Charter does not provide any other option than secret balloting for the post of the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the Parliament. This raises new questions for the future, and probably makes the first task for the new parliament the creation of options in case of such a situation in the future.

Karma Choephel has been in the parliament for the last 15 years, ever since major changes were introduced in the law-making body of the exile government in 1991.

After the Dalai Lama dissolved the 10th parliament in 1991, Tibetans in Diaspora elected the 11th parliament exercising full democratic rights. Up until the 11th parliament, the deputies were elected by an electoral college and a few nominated by the Dalai Lama. The number of members was also increased from 17 to 46.

"Being part of all the changes that took place in the parliament and the introduction of smooth and proper functioning of the parliament is, perhaps, my biggest achievement as a member of the parliament," Choephel said after taking oath of office.

All the 43 members of the legislature took the oath of office on Tuesday, while Karma Choephel conducted the house as the pro tempore Chairman on Tuesday.

Choephel was known for his stand for an independent Tibet, but he may not actively engage in holding on to that stand keeping in view the Dalai Lama's appeal for creation of a conducive atmosphere for the resolution of the Tibetan issue through negotiations.

"I will not particularly make efforts to bring the issue of Tibetan independence to the fore as in the past. I will keep it low profile," he said.

He will explore more to find out better quality services and scope for education, health and social activities of the exile Tibetans.

Penpa Tsering feels that his best achievements may have come in the form of reforms in the presentation of the Budgets. However, he still feels more changes and reforms are needed in the budget and the "Funds for specific projects".

Sonam Topgyal, a 58-year-old parliamentarian from Kham, has been in the parliament for the past 15 years. "Unity of the Tibetans is the area I will put in my efforts while working in the house."

Gyalnor Tsewang, 55, is a brand new member in the house. He is a businessman and an educationist — owns a carpet factory and a school (Himalaya International Model School) — from Nepal. He is one of the few Tibetan philanthropists, who sponsors 25 Tibetan students for their education.

"I will see in what ways I can contribute to resolve the Tibetan issue through the 'Middle Way Approach' laid down by His Holiness the Dalai Lama," Tsewang says.

Finance is also one of Tsewang's fields of interest. "I will try to develop the financial status of the Tibetan people through the co-operatives."

Youdon Aukatsang, 35, as the youngest, and a new member, would like to concentrate on the political issues. "I will initiate for members to be pro-active rather than re-active and my focus will be on the resolution of the Tibetan issue," she says.

The new 14th parliament has come as a much-needed and refreshing change as there were many younger-generation Tibetans represented. Some observers feel that the amount of time it took (one and a half day) to elect a new Chairman without wavering from their choice could be seen as a sign of the strength of character of the new Parliament.