Pema Chewang

Dasho Pema Chewang (born c. 1967) is a Bhutanese politician and former civil servant who founded the Bhutan Tendrel Party (BTP) in November 2022. After a 32-year career in the Bhutanese civil service, including his final posting as Secretary of the National Land Commission, he resigned from government service to enter electoral politics. Following the January 2024 general election, in which the BTP won 17 of 47 seats in the National Assembly, Chewang became Leader of the Opposition.^[1]

Early Life and Education

Pema Chewang earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Sherubtse College, one of Bhutan's oldest institutions of higher education, located in the Trashigang district. He later pursued postgraduate studies abroad, obtaining a Master of Development Economics from the Australian National University in Canberra, Australia.^[2]

Civil Service Career

Chewang spent over three decades in the Bhutanese civil service, serving in a range of planning and policy roles. He held the position of Chief Planning Officer at the Gross National Happiness Commission, where he was involved in the formulation and coordination of national development plans. In 2014, he was appointed Secretary of the National Land Commission, a post he held until his resignation in November 2022 to pursue politics.^[3]

In recognition of his distinguished public service, Chewang was awarded the Red Scarf (Kabney Marpo) by His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck in 2020, conferring upon him the honorific title of Dasho.^[4]

Founding of the Bhutan Tendrel Party

In November 2022, Chewang founded the Bhutan Tendrel Party. The name Tendrel (Dzongkha: རྟེན་འབྲེལ་) refers to the Buddhist concept of interdependent origination, reflecting the party's emphasis on interconnectedness, collective wellbeing, and harmonious development. He was unanimously elected as the party's founding president. The Election Commission of Bhutan (ECB) registered the BTP as a political party in January 2023, making it the newest entrant in Bhutan's young multi-party democratic system.^[5]

The party's platform advocated for national unity, economic prosperity, and progressive governance, positioning itself as a fresh alternative in a political landscape previously dominated by the established parties. During the launch of the party's general election campaign, Chewang was noted for his blend of humour, perseverance, and strong communication skills.^[6]

2024 General Election

Chewang stood as a candidate in the Kanglung-Samkhar-Udzorong constituency in Trashigang District. In the primary round, he secured 49.16 per cent of the vote, finishing first. In the general election held on 9 January 2024, he won his seat with 66.91 per cent of the vote. Nationally, the BTP secured 17 of 47 seats, while the People's Democratic Party (PDP) won the remaining 30 seats to form the government.^[7]

Chewang assumed office as Leader of the Opposition on 3 February 2024, making the BTP the official opposition in Bhutan's third parliament since the country's transition to constitutional monarchy in 2008.^[8]

References

1. "Pema Chewang." Wikipedia.
2. "Pema Chewang." Wikipedia.
3. "Pema Chewang." Wikipedia.
4. "Pema Chewang." Wikipedia.
5. "Bhutan Tendrel Party." Wikipedia.
6. "BTP advocates unity, prosperity, and progress." Kuensel Online via X.
7. "Pema Chewang." Wikipedia.
8. "Bhutan National Assembly January 2024." IPU Parline.

Contributed by BhutanWiki Editorial