Exiled Tibetans debate with PM aspirants in Dharamsala

DHARAMSALA - The National Democratic Party of Tibet (NDPT) organized a debate here on Saturday as a part of a campaign to decide who will be the next Prime Minister-in-exile.

The aspirants to the post of ‘Kalon Tripa’, - Kasur Tethong Tenzin Namgyal and Lobsang Sangay debated and also took questions from the audience on a range of issues related to the Tibetan cause.

“Both (the candidates) answered in the same manner, that they both will work under the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and their political stand will be middle-way approach,” said Yangzom, a Tibetan exile.

“The general election is very soon (to come), so many Tibetan people are so excited and they want to know so many things from the candidate. So, we brought them in front of the Tibetan public, so that the Tibetan public can see and they can ask many questions and they can say whatever they want, whatever they want to know,” said Chimme, President, NDPT.

The first round of campaigning included tours and democracy awareness talks in about 21 places all over the India.

An estimated 80,000 Tibetans arrived in India along with the Dalai Lama after an abortive uprising against the Chinese rule in 1959 and over the years their numbers have swelled.

China accuses the Dalai Lama of seeking independence for Tibet, but he says he only wants autonomy for the Tibetan people.

The Dalai Lama has in recent years called for limited autonomy for Tibet, but some Tibetans demand full independence. (ANI)