Two Nepali-speaking residents from southern Bhutan, also known as Lhotsampas, have emerged winners in the first parliamentary polls that was held in Bhutan Monday aiming to transform the country from absolute monarchy to a ‘constitutional democracy.’

Dr Mani Kumar Rai and Justin Gurung who had contested from Samchi and Chirang constituencies, respectively, have won the election held for the National Council or upper house of Bhutan by convincingly beating their closest contestants. Both Rai and Gurung are of non-political background. Rai, a veterinary doctor, is a resident of Charghare and Gurung, a graduate in commerce from St Xaviers College in Calcutta, is a resident of Funtechuk of Chirang.

Of the eight Nepali speaking candidates who had filed their candidacy for the NC election, four including Rai were from Samchi alone. As per the result published by the Election Commission after counting the votes, Dr Rai had secured 7,996 votes beating his close rival Bishnu Lal Gurung who had only got 5,612 votes.

Justin Gurung, however, had defeated his closes rival from Dukpa community by almost double votes. Gurung got 6,181 votes while Pema only got 3,217 votes. nepalnews.com ag Jan 03 08