Members of the Druk National Congress (DNC) also celebrated its 19th foundation day in Kathmandu, Sunday.
Traditional Bhutanese game, ‘Khuru’ was played among members to mark the occasion, honoring its founder-president Late RK Dorji, DNC General Secretary Karma Dupthob said.
Kesang Lhendup, President of the party reminded the members and friends present during the celebration programme, that democracy has arrived in Bhutan with the efforts and sacrifice of Bhutanese people and exile political forces but the genuine form of democracy is still denied to Bhutanese, added Dupthob.
“Lhendup expressed his expectation that the new government after the July general election would show more courage and resolve in consolidating the democratic gains thus far and initiate the negotiation with dissident forces in exile.”
DNC also demanded unconditional release of all political prisoners.
Controversial to mention here, both the DNC factions claimed June 16 as foundation day of the parties.
It must be remembered that the Rongthong Kuenly Dorji’s party, Druk National Congress (DNC) suffered a vertical split after its vice-presidents duo Chheku Drukpa and Gup Khilla and general secretary Narad Adhikari decided to walk out from it.
They later formed a new party, Druk National Congress – Democratic (DNC-D) by merging the then existing Druk Mimang Tshogpa (DMT) of Thinley Penjore.
Penjore became president of DNC-D on January 3, 2002 after his party was merged with breakaway group of DNC, and continued to lead this party until he opted the third country resettlement in 2011.
The official declaration of the party split was brought to public notice after on September 1, 2001.
