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Dalai Lama rejects Samdhong Rinpoche's resignation offer

By Gaurav Bisht | Hindustan Times

Prime Minister of the Tibetan government-in-exile Samdhong Rinpoche seen in a file photo taken on 10 March 2009. Rinpoche had offered to resign from the post of prime minster citing personal reasons, but the Dalai Lama had rejected his proposal.File photo/Tibet Sun/Lobsang Wangyal/India

The Dalai Lama has turned down the offer by prime minister of the Tibetan government-in-exile, Prof Samdhong Rinpoche, to step down.

Prof Rinpoche, the first directly-elected Prime Minister of the government-in-exile, had offered to tender his resignation citing personal reasons. The 70-year-old, the second powerful Tibetan leader next to the Dalai Lama, was reportedly upset over the ‘attempt to hinder’ his decision-making process and opposition from some cabinet colleagues, reportedly unhappy over the reforms being pursued.

There are seven ministers in the Tibetan cabinet.

Sources said Prof Rinpoche conveyed his feelings to the Dalai Lama before the Tibetan leader left on a two-week trip to the United States in the first week of May.

Rinpoche, who was elected PM for the second term two years ago, conveyed to the Dalai Lama that since he had two more years to complete his term, the process should be initiated to elect the next prime minister.

The Dalai Lama initially contemplated on accepting his resignation but then put the issue on hold. Later, he rejected the idea to advance elections.

The Dalai Lama observed that Rinpoche’s resignation would sent wrong signals and could be used by China in its propaganda against Tibetan leaders.

“Since the Tibetan people’s charter does not allow person to hold the PM’s office for the third consecutive term, I thought my idea to advance the polls will give an opportunity to young Tibetan leaders to take charge of political responsibility,” said Prof Rinpoche, while denying that his proposal was motivated by the growing disagreement between the cabinet on the decision making.

“There was no unanimity amongst ministers on plans to hold fresh elections,” he added, while admitting that at times there had been difference of opinion on certain issues.

“At times, there have been differences of opinion. The opposition to reforms has been weak,” said Rinpoche, who on Sunday convened a meeting to clarify that his plans to hold elections had been dropped.

According to the Tibetan people’s charter, the prime minister has the power to sack ministers.

In 1991, the Dalai Lama nominated Prof Rinpoche as a member of the Tibetan parliament-in-exile, and was later unanimously elected as its chairman.

In 2000, the Dalai Lama decided that the Tibetan people in exile should elect their own head of government, and in July 2001 Rinpoche was elected with 29,000 votes, or about 84% of those cast.

Rinpoche also heads the task force constituted by the Dalai Lama to assist the crucial negotiations with China on resolving the Tibetan issue.

Copyright © 2009 Hindustan Times

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