Druk National Congress led by Rongthong Kuenley Dorji has said the Bhutanese government’s attempt towards ‘democratisation’ is nothing but a ploy to establish a new puppet government under the autocratic monarchy.

In an email conversation with Nepalnews, Dorji, who remains under strict security surveillance of the Indian government in New Delhi since 1997, said the formation of political parties in Bhutan would further put the institution of monarchy in difficulty.

On Saturday, Bhutan’s government mouthpiece Kuensel stated that two new parties have been announced for the purpose of contesting the first ever democratic election which the former King had planned to hold in 2008.

The newly announced parties are People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Bhutan Peoples’ United Party (BPUP). PDP has chosen Tobgay as its leader while the DPUP is yet to choose its leader.

Dorji claims that BPUP is led by serving Minister for Agriculture Sangay Nidup, who is maternal uncle of the present King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk. Apfanews.com, a web portal run by refugees says the BPUP includes four current advisors of the King and 73 members of the present National Assembly.

Last week the Kuensel ran several news stories on formation of new political parties in which Chief Election Commissioner Dasho Kunzang Wangdi repeatedly called on the leaders to form parties and register at the commission before July this year.

Dorji claims the parties were established to serve the interest of the regime. “Even the draft constitution is amended to suit their whims,” he said claiming that the decision of the Bhutan government to downsize the strength of the National Assembly from initial plan of 75 members to 47 is intended at incorporating only the royalists for which the fifth King has been very busy planning.

Dorji said his party would formally enter into the open politics of Bhutan only after the formal declaration of constitutional monarchy in 2008.

He said the newly formed political parties could never be democratic. “These parties’ agenda is to retain the 100 year old monarchy’s prerogatives intact. It is a ploy to establish a new government under autocratic monarchy. Such a government would not be any different from the present regime,” said he.

He was of the view that parties including of members from Sharchopas, Naglong and Lhotshampas communities could only be deemed to have democratic credentials –worthy of participating in the general election.