February 11: Gross National Happiness (GNH) will serve as the guiding principle for both the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

The presidents of the two parties faced each other in the first televised debate yesterday evening. The debate was held at the RAPA hall here in Thimphu.

During the first half of the programme, the DPT President Jigmi Thinley and PDP President Sangay Ngedup outlined the party’s philosophy and ideology. Both said their parties would be guided by the philosophy of GNH propounded by His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo.

The presidents said their parties would strive to achieve GNH for Bhutanese citizen.

The DPT President Jigmi Thinley said the DPT shall explore and undertake all measures to create the necessary socio economic conditions that will enable the people to pursue happiness. He said they will be guided by the principle of equity and justice, good democratic politics, and a small compact government.

"Political parties condition national politics and bad politics create tension, conflict, and instability at the cost of the well being of the people.," said Jig mi Thinley.

To have good governance, good politics and good political parties are a must.

The DPT President Jigmi Thinley said their government will not have more than 10 ministries, will strengthen decentralization and separation of power among the three branches of the government.

The PDP President Sangay Ngedup said the party’s philosophy will be guided by GNH. He said the PDP will strive to achieve the visions of their majesties the kings.

The PDP President Sangay Ngedup said to achieve the vision of their majesties the kings, the People’s Democratic Party will uplift the living standard of the people and strengthen good governance. He said the PDP will be guided by the principles of service with humility and walk the talk.

"PDP will strengthen the infrastructure, curb corruption, enhance the livelihood of the people, and promote service to the people," said Sangay Ngedup.

On rural development, the PDP President Sangay Ngedup said they will enhance production and improve access to market.

To improve the livelihood of the rural people, he said the party will provide rural credit at low interest rates and establish gewog centers where services will be made available.

He said they will focus on providing quality education and gainful employment.