Sikyong 2021 final candidates Penpa Tsering and Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang. Facebook
By Lobsang Wangyal
McLEOD GANJ, India, 13 January 2021
As the preliminary round of elections draws to a close, results showed Penpa Tsering as the front-runner for the post of Sikyong, with comfortable margins.
Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang trailing second came as a surprise in this elections, and will challenge Tsering in the final round in April.
Gyari Dolma, who was expected to make it to the finals, followed Aukatsang with a difference of 650 votes, and is now out of the race for Sikyong 2021 according to the rules of the the Election Commission.
With just a few smaller polling places still to announce their results, Penpa Tsering’s lead of more than 23,000 votes from the total 60,000 will not change his position.
The unannounced votes are also not likely to affect Kaydor Aukatsang’s more than 13,000 votes, and his 650-vote lead over Gyari Dolma.
Dongchung Ngodup, another well-known name, secured a little over 9,000 votes.
The official results will be announced by the Election Commission on 8 February, naming the two candidates for Sikyong 2021 and the candidates for the new 17th parliament, for the final round of voting to be held on 11 April.
A video has gone viral showing the Election Commissioner Pesur Wangdu Tsering saying if the difference between the second and the third is less than 20%, both the second and third will be made candidates in the final round.
This video was in context of explaining an issue that arose in the 2016 elections, as that was the condition then, but the third candidate was far behind the second candidate to fulfil the condition. He was then not invited to contest the final round.
Only two candidates will be contesting the post of Sikyong in the final round. However, if there are two in second place securing the same number of votes, then both of them will be declared to be candidates in the contest, making three candidates in the final round.
“The Election Commission has clearly announced that unless there are two in second place securing the same number of votes, only two — the first and the second — will be declared as the final candidates,” explained an official at the Election Commission.
A total of 80,000 exile Tibetans around the world registered to vote. Around 60,000 people took part in the preliminary round on 3 January.
The counting of votes began on 5 January, and was to be completed on 12 January and the results announced on that day. A few places in Nepal and Bhutan haven’t announced their results yet.
@Silden Gangri, Nr. 47
just came across this and found out interesting things, it seem Sangye L. raised about Nelung Tomla, kaydor las second father-in-law. i have also heard for years that tibetan women’s association in switzerland is controlled by Nelung Tomla! he is the remote controller of TWA Switzerland, he did not want these women to join TWA central back then, since then swiss women do not pay membership fees and does not carry our national their banner too. there seems to be no question of rangzen and uma, all are tomlas dancers and perform on the important days with him, but 90 percent of the women does not care, so silden gangri, you can not compare with our NYNJ TWA, we carry the same banner of unity, sooner or later it will be solved. i had to investigate about this from switzerland ! tomla is definitely not liked by many. i felt NYNJ women are being misused here, so be honest silden gangri, karma is watching on you.
I would like to say that since we tibetans are new to democracy it is natural for us to be emotional and carried away in our support of our respective candidates. However i would like to point out that though you might not like the candidate or person who becomes the sikyong, we must respect the office and chair of the sikyong and address it accordingly in a cordial manner. Otherwise the world will see half the population of tibetans always abusing and making fun of the sikyong and entire tibetans will look like jokers. We have the full right to criticize the sikyong of course but we must not forget basic courtesy and manners while doing so. Lastly whoever the next sikyong maybe we all must respect the MANDATE of the tibetan people for that represents the hopes and aspirations of the tibetans, and abusing that office is abusing ourselves .
Tsoksur Penpa Tsering is highly qualified. But his alcohol dependency is likely to affect his performance. I heard that he gets drunk, and lets out big classified secret to his drinking buddies. There’s this story of him in a drunken fight with Amdo Chithue Gyari Thar, and in the end, a chef had to carry an unconscious Penpa Tsering to the former junior Judge of the court’s home. This episode is clearly narrated by Yapchen Passang.
Penpa gets drunk. And he says strange things. In parliament, looking drunk with red eyes, he said, “We Tibetans are grateful to the Chinese government. They have helped us and gave us solidarity in the past. And I have no doubt about it remaining the same for the future.” This kind of slip-up is worse than LS saying “We never had a country.”
In another drunken episode, Penpa miscalculated the number of siblings he has. He said “I have 9 siblings. 2 in Toronto….” which added up to 12 instead of 9.
Recently, while drunk, he said that Bon followers are getting better treatment by the Chinese govt, but thankfully he later withdrew the statement.
I would readily vote for PT considering exceptional leadership qualities. But his alcoholism is a turn off for me. I will request PT to show a certificate showing that he is totally sober from a doctor. If he does, then PT gyallo from me.
lejotsang. Your comment is enlightening, thank you. I have also heard that Penpa Tsering had fallen from his chair at the Washington Office while he was there for a year and half. He was drunk! This is no hearsay but was seen by Kalden Lodoe who is an anchor at the Radio Free Asia.
Kalsang Aukatsang has experience. He has been instrumental in the success of the present Sikyong. Besides, it’s not true that all the leaders who hold office have to have administration experience. There are many leaders who become Prime Minster or President without any experience. We had President Trump in the US.
Experience comes through doing the job in hand.
Geshe Lobsang Palden, it’s unbecoming of you who calls yourself a Geshe to humiliate lejotsang by putting down his teacher Yabchen Pasang. I thought you had learnt from Pratika Vartika that “ordinary beings cannot underestimate another being because if you do, it will diminish you”. Did you fail to learn this or are you deliberately defying the teachings?
I would advise you NOT TO USE “GESHE” next time you write comments because when you write, it also demonstrates the true colour of yourself. Your comment showed your arrogance by looking down on Yabchen Pasang.
Just because you bear the name of a Geshe doesn’t elevate your status. It’s just a name, a label, nothing more. So, don’t be arrogant and learn to respect others. A good Geshe should be humble and not full of self importance like yourself.
Yabchen Pasang obviously was concerned and thought the person posed a threat to HH. It’s understandable from a devoted Buddhist. But that doesn’t make him a trouble maker as you seem to portray him.
@ Lejostang,
What can we expect from you when your ultimate root guru seems to be Yabechen Passang Tsewang la? That says it all.
Also, you seems to be living under the rock. PT gave up drinking long time back.
How about let me say, I hear there is lots of skeletons in your closet? How do I do know? What would you say if I tell you, my neighbor from Bylakuppe Passang Tsewang told me ?
Let me tell you a story about Yanchen Passang Tsewang. He is my neighbor and is a person who is always looking to get some public attention. Several years back this nature of his almost killed an innocent Tibetan youth in Mundgod.
It is a long story, I will try to tell you a shorter version.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama was giving a teaching. Among the public receiving His teaching was a Tibetan youth who was addicted to drugs. That morning, he got up and told his family that he was going to give up drugs by promising before His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Whole time while sitting down during the teaching, his drug addicted mind was tearing him into pieces. Finally, he couldn’t take it anymore and ran up to His Holiness’s throne to prostrate and offer his pledge.
Security guards grabbed him and looking at his disheveled condition held in the settlement office. Yabcheng Passang Tsewang got wind of a young man held in settlement office for running under the throne of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Immediately he got around telling public that the young man was a Chinese spy sent to harm the person of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He led a mob to teach a lesson to this “Chinese spy”.
Luckily His Holiness security personnel saved the young man from Yanchen Passang Tsewang instigated mob. There are lots of other stories like this about the man Less said, better it is.
gyari dolma has not lost, she was cheated by kaydor and ls, but tibetan people know that she is the only candidate who has all the qualities of sikyong. she will be in our hearts and prayers. kaydor supporters are blindly supporting him because of ls. kaydor’s father in-law is tom la, an elderly toepa man, very selfish. i also learned that he keeps tibetan women’s association under control, he told them to vote kaydor. these old women are his dancers but all old woman 60 – 70 years old. acha palmo said they are not with twa dharamshala because of tom la, so sad. wake up tibetan people.
Sangye L! Have some respect for yourself not to fabricate lies to smear Tomla, a much loved Tibetan folk singer. The Tibetan Women’s Association of Switzerland was divided way back in its early days. There were two camps who wanted to be affiliated to Dharamshala and those who resisted. It seems the crux of the matter is again much the same like New York. However, it was very discreet and no one wanted to admit the unpleasant thing.
They gave the impression, everything was smooth on the surface but when it came to organised gatherings, only a sprinkling of one side of the group seemed to be present. Tomla has nothing to do with the division of TWA in Switzerland since it was there for a long time. In fact the TWA there has not many members.
For your information, one of the biggest divider was U-May Lam. The TWA discarded its initial goal to suit the political demands of the day. The TYC split on the lines of Rangzen and U-May Lam which is believed to be engineered by Penpa Tsering.
One of the most divided Tibetan group is NY. The late Thinley Kalsang and his mentor Penpa Tsering are responsible for the irreconcilable communal division fuelled by hater mongers like Mila and Thokme.
Thankfully the Swiss Tibetans are nothing like the ones in NY. They are far more cultured and loyal to the CTA. But look at NY! Out of some 10,000, only a fraction is said to pay the chatrel but constantly engaged in infighting among themselves. NY is populated by wayward, recalcitrant and uncultured riff-raff of Tibetans who didn’t fit into the Tibetan communities in India.
No wonder, there is unending turmoil because the quality of Tibetans in NY are of rather unflattering nature. There are few patriots but most are caught up running after the might dollar or worse.
Every coin has two faces likewise every story has two sides. So whatever Sonam Gyatso has narrated has only one face. If PT is bad person, I don’t understand why Rinpoche allow him to take control…….
BTW it’s PT la’s personal problem and he has no single record of bad doing in CTA.
Lob Tsering:
I agree that every coin has two sides. Now that we have heard one side of the coin from PT’s son-in-law, the other side of the coin’s account has to come from PT himself.
It is incumbent upon you who is selecting a Syikong for 6 million Tibetans to find out the truth to be an informed electorate.
Till now, all accounts of PT’s account came from outside of the family. This time, it is different — it’s coming from PT’s son-in-law.
If you read this: http://tibetexpress.net/13398/son-in-law-of-katak-rinpoches-family-pens-open-letter-to-tibetans-regarding-sikyong-candidate-penpa-tsering/
Sonam Gyatso clearly states that his motivation to come out this time is because of PT’s repeated attempts to cover up his past misdeeds and, peddle lies, and present himself in a false narrative.
PT must have the motivation to clear the doubts of people who would otherwise want him to be Syikong.
PT is not my first choice but between the two final candidates that we have right now, I will certainly vote for PT. For one, We need a mature, experienced and a law-abiding Sikyong. Also, it is always good to have a change of guard at the top leadership after 10 years to bring freshness, hopefulness and new ideas to emerge and to implement. I think PT will do great as Sikyong.
Finally tibetans are not fool to read these comments saying Jamyang Norbu la and dhardon la etc… have ruined the votes!!! it is nonsense, we are not stupid, you are saying these to try to mislead but people know this already. the main reason of loosing the votes is that some kaydor supporters made false accusation videos and distributed it to mislead the people at the last minutes, remember it. by doing these, bad karma is ahead for kaydor to receive knock – out punch from kungo pt la on 11.4.21!!! pt supporters are happy that their opponent is not gyari dolma who could win the final. it was totally miscalculation by the kaydor supporters especially ls to endorse him unofficially. at the end tibetans are the losers.
Jamming Norbu, Dhardon Sharling and all those New York organizing committee members and Kaydor-LS groups are all part of the reasons that resulted in GD trailing behind Kaydor.
I remember GD saying in her speech at New York that she is always concerned about who all is coming out in support of her even though she is thankful for their support. So, controversial and opportunists people should have stayed away from endorsements and open support if they really wanted GD to win. They didn’t and was almost stealing the spotlight from the main candidate herself. All these were the responsibilities of the New York organizing committee members and the supporters.
GD trusted LS-Kaydor too much for her own good in this election.
Jamyang Norbu the writer ruined Gyari Dolma’s chances by his support for her. Anyone Jamyang Norbu supports will lose vote. Look at Tethong Namgyal in 2011. He lost after Jamyang Norbu’s support.
Kaydor should email Jamyang Norbu, Lukar Jam, Sermey Loga, etc to not show support to him. As support of these people are vote-loser. In the final round, it pays to hold the middle or centre ground.
Dolma Gyari la should never have sought the support of the opportunist Dhardon Sharling. This folly pushed thousands of voters against her.
Kaydor was very cunning by not accepting Sharling’s help, even though she was exhibited as LS’s biggest supporter in his second term. Kaydor is nothing but a proxy for LS to hold onto the power and privileges.
Now is the time to ask Kaydor questions:
1. Why did he disrespected Kundun by pulling down his portrait from the walls of Office of Tibet?
2. How could have he compromised Kundun’s security by allowing Dolgyal followers to come so much close to His Holiness during an event where in they were able to shout at him on face?
3. There are talks of you and your sister Youdon being close to Dogyal followers in Sikkim and abroad. Are there any truth in these talks?
4. Why did you buy Office of Tibet space in Washington in your name? Why couldn’t you buy it in the name of CTA/Tibetan organisation? Have you transferred the same to CTA on papers?
5. Why did you take loan and didn’t reflect it as payable to Tibet Fund in the case of purchase of space for Office of Tibet in Washington?
6. Will you learn Tibetan language to read and write while in office?
7. If you say your father was a hero dedicated to the cause as you so paint him to be, what are his core contributions? Why didn’t any of your siblings study in Tibetan schools? He didn’t even care to preserve and promote the language and culture. I am from Dehra Dun and I know that for a fact you are all opportunist and have no ethics or integrity.
8. If you are elected as Sikyong, what positions will you appoint LS to? Supreme Advisor to CTA?
9. Why did you run against Dolma Gyari? You fully knew about her contributions and her sacrificing last five years of Ministerial position to come again this time to serve as the Sikyong. She had supported your friend in both the terms!! How could you betray her like that?
10. How much did you charge for your work for the Tibetan community in US?
Osel,
fair enough. we should also ask some questions to PT:
1) was he removed with the consent of HH the dalai lama from OOT
2) did he try and not granted any audience by HH since his removal from OOT
3) why did he not condemn his supporters who stormed office of Tibet right in front of his nose. This is complete hypocrisy. KD is accused of removing HH picture when there is no proof. However, there is no outcry from the same people when PT failed to stop/condemn his supportes when they stormed the SACRED office?
4) Did he lie in his bio that he was appointed by CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION to manage gangchen restaurant, when in fact he was working for his mentor Katak Tulku
5) did he lie cos he wanted to cover up cheating Katak’s wealth and dumping his family
6) Did he misuse official letterhead of Tibetan Parliament to write fake letters to foreign embassies to obtain visa for his brother and sister (see: http://tibetexpress.net/13398/son-in-law-of-katak-rinpoches-family-pens-open-letter-to-tibetans-regarding-sikyong-candidate-penpa-tsering/
7) is remaining silent against people like Mila Rangzen, Thokmey, Trinlay Kalsang and many others who peddle lies and divisive language, denegrate our religion and HH his ultimate formulae to win the election?
8) the last 4 years have been consumed by controversy generated by you and your supporters. This is because you consider yourself more important than the cause. Are you deceiving people to vote for you so that you immerse yourself in another 4 years of controversy?
Both the candidates must be asked tough questions to clarify any doubts that the electorate have. RFA/Voice of America etc are afraid and cautious. Tibet sun can take the lead and compile these questions from both sides in a virtual debate…
Osel, It’s time Mr Penpa Tsering answered these questions as well. Don’t you think?
Did he murder the late Kathak Tulku Rinpoche in order to take over the family wealth and business including his wife?
Why is PT dodging questions all these years about what really happened to Kathak Tulku? Is it not in his own interest to clear the air of criminality about himself?
Mr Penpa Tsering allied himself with the late Thinley Kalsang in a people smuggling racket. Penpa Tsering had taken at least two groups of Tibetans to New York in cahoots with Thinley Kalsang, disguised as “Tibetan delegates”. Is this true of false?
Sonam Gyatso, the son-in-law of Kathak Tulku has recently stated that PT forged seals, Letter Heads and used his own Tibetan Parliamentary Letter Heads for invitation letters and letters to embassies in order to get visas in people smuggling syndicate and calls him a criminal. Are these true or false?
Sonam Gyatso says, he cheated on his wife (the widow of Kathak Tulku) to whom he initially proposed and later he was having an affair with a young college girl while he was still married. Is this true of false?
Sonam Gyatso alleges that he finally decamped with their wealth and livelihood, leaving them penniless. Is this true or false?
So, Penpa Tsering truly needs to answer these pressing questions because both the murder of Kathak Tulku and human trafficking are criminal enterprises which would disqualify him from holding the office of the Sikyong.
Surely, I don’t want a criminal as the Tibetan Sikyong. It will be a disgrace to the whole Tibetan Movement and the Exile Government.
If you can arrange both the Sikyong candidates for a candid admission or rejection of the accusations, Kaydor will be ready to oblige.
Well, PT have time and again refuted these allegations. What more do you need? Tenpa Yarphel spoke of these allegations inside parliament, but kept mum outside when PT challenged him to bring these accusations outside.
The onus is on the accusing party to file case in court and prove PT’s crime. The onus is not of the accused to prove his innocence. Btw who is this Sonam Gyatso? Have never heard of him ever before. It was poor journalism on bigoted Serta Tsultrim’s Bangchen’s part to have brought out this Sonam Gyatso’s random statement like that. This Sonam Gyatso should go to court if he has truth by his side. Therefore, your questioning PT here to prove his innocence doesn’t stand any ground.
What Osel have asked of Kaydor with questions above are explanations of reasons for what has happened under his nose and have asked him to explain “Why” of some of his decisions. Kaydor is also asked to explain “what” would be done with LS post election. All above are valid questions!!!!
Chodron, If someone accuses you of sleeping with another man other than your husband, is the onus of proving yourself innocent upon you or the accuser? Mr Penpa Tsering is accused of murder by Tenpa Yarphel and infidelity by Sonam Gyatso, so the onus of proving himself innocent is on PT.
Murder is a serious charge. Surely, PT has a responsibility to the Tibetan people to clarify such poisonous allegation once and for all. Just as you would vehemently deny any accusations of sexual relationship with other men, PT has to come out and deny or admit the allegations. Silence can be interpreted as admission of guilt.
Remember, Kathak Tulku died at the prime age of 38!!! There is no mention of a specific disease that plagued him. He died mysteriously at a young age! That is why, there is serious speculation of foul play by PT to grab the wife and family wealth.
You and the other lady called Dolma from Dharamshala are insensitive to the suffering and humiliation of the family at the hands of PT. You are totally blindsided by your infatuation to PT that you don’t have an ounce of sympathy for the bereaved family.
It goes to show the type of people you guys are. This is a simple Tibetan family whose mother was exploited by PT’s lust and then left high and dry after he met a younger and fresher college girl to ingratiate his sexual appetite. No matter how you and your ilk try to paint PT, he is a bad boy who loves sex and booze! Despite all the disinformation by his bevy of luscious labellas and the three hate mongers, no one can be fooled about the reality of PT.
The Tibetan media ignored Sonam’s Letter except Tibetexpress because they sided with PT. I suggest Sonam Gyatso to make a video clip of his story and upload on youtube for a wider audience.
Chodron,
I am puzzled by your refrain “I don’t know who this guy Sonam Gyatso is”. With all due respect to you and other concerned Tibetans, please analyze and think more prudently.
Sonam Gyatso is the son-in-law of penpa tsering. Penpa tsering ditched katak Tulku’s family the next day when he knew that a highly educated and capable groom will find out all his misdeeds.
I have nothing against you whomever you support. But, ask yourself, what would happen to our cause and HH if the highest official of CTA has such a baggage even if they are mere allegations. What if evidence or criminal complaint is filed Tom.
These allegations prevented samdong rimpoche from nominating PT as kalon
Sonam Gyatso is the corrupted guy who was in charge of redoing Upper TCV’s hall. He failed miserably and has corruption case against him for pocketing money that was meant for the hall. So not a very good source himself pointing fingers at others.
Dongdre,
Sonam Gyamtso is a mentally corrupt guy. If he is so sure about what he accuses, why doesn’t he file a case in Indian court of law, instead of publishing an open letter in the so called Bangchen just few day before the election. Who will believe in such a press, which is owned by Serta Tsultrim, a chithue supported by Chushigangdruk nyingpa. These things are done to character assasinate an honest man. Separation/divorce happens in many people’s life. Even Kaydor divorced his previous Ari inji wife. They must have some problems. So don’t bring personal life in public with made up stories.
Dolma,
please, do not make baseless conclusions. it is evident that you are one such supporter of PT who would say anything to counter allegations against PT.
educate yourself with the facts from:
http://tibetexpress.net/13398/son-in-law-of-katak-rinpoches-family-pens-open-letter-to-tibetans-regarding-sikyong-candidate-penpa-tsering/
these are the facts from the press release:
1) Sonam Gyatso is Penpa Tsering’s son-in-law. He attended private schools and completed college with an engineering degree from Delhi University
2) He was a student leader at Tibetan Youth Hostel and president of Tibetan Youth Congress, Delhi
3) He was requested by TCV to serve as project officer/engineer
4) after the completion of the TCV (he initiated the project and completed it – NOT as you say suggested “renovate”.
5) after the completion of the hall, he was the project in-charge of TCV Chauntra from the onset; then TCV selakui before he left TCV.
He has served TCV wholeheartedly for more than a decade.
Penpa Tsering, after the death of Katak Tulku, proposed to Katak’s widow, promising her that he will take care of the family as a gratitude to what Katak Tulku had done for him.
Instead, he spent the next ten years pillaging their wealth — bankrupting restaurant, two factories. He also began an illicit relationship with his current wife while being a husband to Katak’s widow. when Sonam Gyatso came into the family as a groom, he fled the family after stealing their wealth.
Would you trust such a person as the Sikyong of 6 million Tibetans?
Sonam Gyatso further states that he has documentary evidence that PT used official parliamentary letterhead to smuggle people to foreign countries. If these prove to be true, he can be arrested and charged by…
Gyari Dolma la would have easily won against PT if she was to come in the final. We checkmated ourselves!
I don’t feel like writing anything more. I am so sad and angry.
Gyrai Dolma la is and will be always the better choice. Common people!!!!!!!
Not easily though. It will be an uphill task for any other candidates including GD to beat PT’s comfortable margin. People here are only discussing what happened in the case of GD because she is loosing to Kaydor by only few hundred votes.
Gyari Dolma la was my favourite. I wanted her to come in the final. I was even in the WhatsApp and Facebook groups created to garner support for GD la.
Followings are where we erred:
1. The biggest mistake we made was to focus our attacks on PT and took Kaydor very easy.
2. Tsephel (girl) at Delhi who is a relative of GD la spearheaded the negative campaign against PT and didn’t do anything to checkmate the moves of Kaydor!
3. LS took us for a ride. He supported Kaydor. […] A lot of us believed LS and that’s where we went wrong.
4. Our voter base in the monasteries in the South and Bir betrayed us. A lot of them were sweet mouth in the face but went behind our back and voted for Kaydor. Kaydor is a person who has done nothing good as compared to GD la who has worked for over 30 years for the community.
5. Kaydor’s team did negative campaign against both GD and PT la discreetly. They planned his campaign visits in a way where he visited all those places where GD la have already visited. He went in after the visits of GD la to change the minds of thousands of her supporters. Youdon Aukatsang (Kaydor’s sister) talked to many core supporters of GD la and turned them.
6. GD la spread her campaigns too wide. We did suggest in our groups that she should focus on bigger vote bases only. She should have also talked more of her family’s legacy and contributions like Kaydor who trumpeted imaginary contributions of his family and his father.
7. Chushi Gangdruk Tsokpa of which Gyari family has always been biggest patrons betrayed her for a candidate whose father was instrumental in breaking the Tsokpa!!
to be contd…
Yes, it’s true!!! This TSEPHEL wouldn’t stop spewing venom against PT in our whatsapp groups. It seems she doesn’t care if Gyari wins or not, she is bent on talking and spreading ill of PT. Tsephel and her ilk have helped Kaydor win and Gyari lose.
Not only Tsephel, another GD supporter called Tsering Sangpo from Boston was active in spreading venomous lies against every other sikyong candidate. Sad to see such supporters!
It will be not a landslide victory in next stage for PT, Kaydor will get GD votes and Lobsang Nyendak votes, Dongchung Ngodup votes will mostly go to PT if UTsang voters and tsokpas votes for him.
Tough road ahead for PT, it will be a big challenge to convince the UTsang voters. Whoever wins shall follow the road and vision laid down by HH the Dalai Lama.
Whoever will lead Tibetan Govt in Exile (CTA) should be one who will unify the country, work for the return of Tibetans to Tibet, follow the Middle way path and work for the downtrodden families, people that is living in Tibetan settlements, who because of many reasons are neglected by the administration. Cholkha, choelug fanatism should be discouraged as Unity for Tibet should be encouraged, if we still continue to follow the current scenario, then next ten year will become a total chaos.
CTA should not be superficial, who works only for photoshoot to upload on Govt social media, should really serve the poor and needy in society, who are ignored, who don’t have any hook or nooks, who don’t know how to wag their tongues or tails.
Gyari was one of my three favorite sikyong candidates in this 2021 sikyong election. However, she was put to this situation by cunning LS-Kaydor and her So-called supporters.
First, Having foxy dhardon sharling to share Dias with GD and giving this controversial and publicity hungry lady from PT-LS ugly saga such prominence at New York event cast a shadow of doubt on GD’s moral compass.
Second, most of the controversial New York lhakar group members (who are more on dancing spree and always bashing others for their own lack of effective rangzen ideas) and other controversial Tibetans in New York openly suppporting GD put off many people.
Third, despite her open respect shown to Sikyong LS before and after New York visit with photo opportunities, LS-kaydor pulled the rug quietly from her by negatively lobbying against GD and other sikyong candidates (favorite reason given being ‘there is no chance he it she will win this prelim election. So, better vote Kaydor or else PT will win”) and secured every single votes from three major monasteries in south India for kaydor.
Fourth, the election outcome clearly showed the strong residue of 2016 election. In such a scenario, there is no way any of the other good candidates other than PT and Kaydor have a chance to go into final.
Some anti Khampa folks are calling Khampas “Aroks” and that they will stop paying Chatral–it seems there is some resentment that most of the self-immolators were from Kham and Amdo.
Now it is the time for Utsang folks to show how they can lead.
But I am not convinced that there is a huge UTsang faction who condemn “Aroks” –need to explain what this Tibetan word means.
Tibetans missed a chance to gain some strength from the Women’s Zeitgeist. O well…
Donald Trump is a lesson that surrounding oneself with sycophants is not the wisest strategy.
Dharamshala rejected Kaydor, just look at his total votes polled.
Dharamshala people can’t be brain washed.. they know very clearly that who is good for the Tibetan cause.
don’t go by your choice because it’s the matter of tibetan cause. so leave your inside views lo.
With Penpa Tsering to be new Sikyong, some cunning people making plan to get top position in Tibetan office in India and West. One clear example is Lochoe in London. First we see her on official face book page of Lobsang Nyendak. Next she with Penpa Tsering on youtube program. Before Lochoe was like chamcha of current Sikyong Lobsang Sangay and his handyman Kaydor. She go to Dharamshala many times on Tibetan government money. Many people asking for what and how? Now with Lobsang Sangay out she hoping Penpa Tsering make her London Office of Tibet Representative. He should be very very careful of her. Only think of her own interest. Shameful.
Not trukshing like Dhardon Sharling, but this lady Lochoe looks like an opportunist like Dhardon who loves to stay relevant by clinging to people in power.
Dhardon did not support LS in both his elections and openly criticized LS for being an ineffective leader. As soon as he became Sikyong, Dhardon went to offer khatag to LS and respectfully took a picture with him which she shared widely and that’s how the infamous kalon appointment came about and the rest is history.
If kaydor is going to be Sikyong I am 100% sure that my whole family will not pay the chadrel amount to Bhoe pay shung. It’s a waste paying money. He will crush our society. We want penpa Tsering la to win this time and I want the truthful person like him to take over thé sikyong tag. Kaydor is liar and hypocrite.
Khampas cholkha shenkog is over now. They have about 20,000 in number in exile and voted all in block for DG and Kaydor. This is a proof. What more proof you Aroks need. PT will rule for the next 5 years and then again next 5 years because Utsangs will vote for him.
Gyari is unlucky that Election Commission said only TWO candidates are allowed.
But she can run again in 2026, and I will vote her.
A big mistakes by a section of Tibetan people in not favoring DG. She should be the runner up. What happened to those Millions $ controversy with Kaydor La? Does anyone know clearly?
Former representative in North America Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang is running for the Sikyong 2021 with his competitive resume and controversies. The candidate has been criticized of disrespect for the Dalai Lama with incapable leadership and inflated political ambitions.
It was said that Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang’s career heavily relies on his close relationship with the current sikyong Lobsang Sangay. Source close to CTA said Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang was appointed to Represent for North America entirely based on the support of Lobsang Sangay, and the appointment was not endorsed by Gaxagat all.
Meanwhile, another dispute of Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang is about disrespect for the Dalai Lama.
In the past, same as other Tibetan communities, the photo of Dalai Lama were on the wall of the office of Representative for North America. After Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang took the office, he removed the photo of Dalai Lama and replaced with a photo of Lobsang Sangay. In addition, Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang failed to manage the reception and security of the Dalai Lama’s visit to the United States. After meeting with President Obama, Dalai Lama was arranged to leave the venue through a garbage conveying passage, which was interpreted as a snub and contempt for Dalai Lama. Normally, any national leader or important person would enter or leave only through the main entrance. Besides, incidents like followers of Shugden rushed in and insult Dalai Lama occurred during Dalai Lama’s visit, which led to accusations of Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang’s incompetence.
I agree with you about Kaydor, he is neither qualified nor had experience. Everywhere he goes he benefit himself. One of the Tibetans from California had written that he took salary while working as President of Tibetan Association, all North American Tibetan Association were Voluntary and they spend their own money. He also created controversy during the tenure of Representative of NA like photo of HH the Dalai Lama and security problem when HH visited the US. as per one CTA employee from Dharamshala that he employee one hotel worker paid good wages. That hotel worker is from where he stay during 5/50 conference. Moreover his friend LS bought a House in US few years back and paid Cash amounting to more than $300,000/- where he got this money. CTA audit should look his W2 TAX FORM. He has no knowledge how Tibetan System works. If he is not standing then GD should have won in his place. So the GD supporters should stay away from this man.
Your agenda is to pull Gyari Dolma’s voters to Penpa Tsering in the final. But please don’t try to create division in our Tibetan society. We need a leader, who can stand against China and bring millions of dollars from America to Dharamshala.
Sorry to say this, but on what basis is Kaydor even a worthy candidate for Sikyong? He is where he is not because of his hardwork, experience or service to the Tibetan masses but singularly because of NEPOTISM. He became the representative at DC office of Tibet just because he is Lobsang Sangay’s friend and because of the same reason he headed a few departments in the CTA during LS’s regime. Fact of the matter is that he parachuted straight from the sky and grabbed those important chairs in the CTA. Had LS not won the first election, Kaydor would still be an unknown entity just like you and me, silently working for his bread and butter in some far corner of the world.
Honestly speaking, having a good friend in the high place and the backing of a bunch of biased supporters does not qualify for becoming a Sikyong. The person should, at least, have climbed the ladders of success from the bottom and earned the honest goodwill and support from the public. Kaydor standing for Sikyong is the biggest slap thus far on the intelligence and the wisdom of Tibetan people.
However, I will blame Kaydor for being so ruthless in vying for Sikyong’s seat despite his incompetence, inefficiency and corruption but if he becomes Sikyong, I’ll not blame him but blame the Tibetan public for their defective mental disposition and their inability to make a difference between good and bad.
Kaydor fooled us once by becoming the representative of HHDL at DC: shame on him, but now if he becomes Sikyong and fool us twice: shame on us.
The Choice is clear in the finals:
PT’s Record:
1) accused of stealing Katak Tulku’s wealth, wife and ditching them (shttp://tibetexpress.net/13398/son-in-law-of-katak-rinpoches-family-pens-open-letter-to-tibetans-regarding-sikyong-candidate-penpa-tsering/)
2) accused of misusing official paper to send brothers and sisters to Ari (http://tibetexpress.net/13398/son-in-law-of-katak-rinpoches-family-pens-open-letter-to-tibetans-regarding-sikyong-candidate-penpa-tsering/
3) a habitual drunkard
4) associated with and supported by people critical of HH such as Mila Rangzen
5) associated with and supported by every divisive individuals in the comunity: late Trinlay Kalsang, Thupten Thokmey, Mila Rangzen
6) Violated the trust of HH even after recommended by HH to the Rep. of Office of Tibet. For this reason, he was removed from office with the consent of HH. For this reason, he HAS NEVER RECEIVED A SINGLE AUDIENCE WITH HH.
7) ultimate truth is: PT has repeatedly lost the faith of HH the Dalai Lama. He is the most controversial and opportunistic politician we ever had.
How come he does not disown divisive figures who support him. How come he does not condemn his supporters who openly criticize HH the Dalai Lama in the worst possible manner.
LS and Kaydor may not be perfect. But they will not tolerate people who divide our community, openly criticize HH, and they have the educational background, people skill, and charisma.
I can foresee PT running late for meeting everytime because he had too much to drink every time. we do not want such an individual at such a crucial time.
My first choice was Kungo DN la. based on the above facts, Kaydor definitely has a much cleaner record.
I am ready to be fooled twice then for the sake of Tibet and its cause.
Sorry Gyari Dolma is over now, as only two candidates are allowed. Now excited about Kaydor vs Penpa tsering match.
I feel sorry for Gyari Dolma. But she can fight next time.
My prediction in my letter to the Editor is now very relevant. Here’s what I wrote:
“After the ballots on 3 January, only two candidates will be allowed to compete in the final contest, as per an announcement by the Election Commission. This decision was received by the public in a low-key manner, but the question of who will win the presidency depends a lot on whether two or three candidates are allowed.” (link here https://www.tibetsun.com/letters-to-the-editor/2020/11/16/sikyong-2021-vote-splitting-and-other-observations)
It is Penpa Tsering’s misfortune that only TWO candidates are allowed. If three were allowed, then Penpa is 100% guaranteed to win, as Kaydor and Gyari will split the votes.
Gyari Dolma should seek a recount of her votes because the margin of vote difference between her and Mr LS 2 is statistically so small and; EC should permit recounts.
Dolma Gyari made some big strategic mistakes which in the end proved to be very costly because unlike Lobsang Nyandak and Lamaji, she is only less than a thousand or so votes from the second finalist. The biggest mistake is her taking endorsement from Dhardon Sharling. It is a big put off for many elder Utsang women voters, who believe Dhardon Sharling is the Ani Neymo of whole episode of Case no 20!
Two, the biggest damage was done by Sikyong LS instigating his Khampa followers and telling them GD has no chance in hell. In my small close knit WhatsApp group, there were monks from monastery based in Mundgod conversing what LS was telling them through his close contacts.
I voted for GD because she represents Nari-Shakti (women empowerment). Strangely women are becoming their own worst enemy.
She should not have embraced Dhardon Sharling rather too closely. If her late brother were alive, he would tell her to stay away from Dhardon Sharlings of Tibetan community. It was like Dongchung Ngodup hiring Kunga Tashi as his trumpet player. This time only few thousand Tibetans, mostly friends and families agree to follow the pied piper of Yarlung Tsangpo.
GD’s lost is Kaydor’s gain, but I won’t vote for him and others should not. PT may not be my first choice but Kaydor of desecrating and demoting His Holiness the Dalai Lama can NEVER be trusted with my vote.
Your stated reason, “I voted for GD because she represents Nari-Shakti (women empowerment)” proves you are so out of reality. We Tibetans are fighting so many challenges, including our existence as a Tibetan, our language, our refugee status in Nepal and India, our homeland and here you are fighting for woman empowerment. Time to wake up before it’s too late.
I highly respect Gyari Dolma la and her life long services for Tibetan cause. I fully trust she will do what is best for Tibetan people.
Dechen, Minneapolis.
Gyari Dolma was not a good candidate at the outset and it is good that she is out of the race. For that matter, Kaydor has almost zero chance to win this race too since he pulldown His Holiness portrait and replaced it with LS which only Aroks can do.
PT will easily win the race for Sikyong. We Utsang will show Arok our unity when it comes to beating Kaydor.