FTCI CEO Tashi Wangdu announces his candidacy for Sikyong 2016
DHARAMSALA, June 10: Tashi Wangdu, the CEO of the Federation of Tibetan Co-operatives in India (FTCI) today announced his candidacy for the upcoming election for the new Sikyong (Prime Minister) of the Tibetan people.
Speaking to media persons at a brief press conference held in Mclead Ganj, Dharamsala, Tashi Wangdu laid down three reasons for his candidacy.
“There are three reasons why I have announced my candidacy for Sikyong 2016. The first reason is I consider it a great honor and opportunity to take up responsibility and serve the Tibetan people to resolve the issue of Tibet under the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama during his life time. The second reason is that, in recent times, some dedicated and responsible members of the Tibetan community have expressed that I should to stand for Sikyong’s election. And because of my twenty years of service in various Tibetan settlements, international relations and economic development of the Tibetan community through FTCI, I have decided to stand for the Sikyong’ election with a great sense of pride and confidence. The third reason is to resolve the issue of Tibet, which has been the most important issue since we came in to exile, through negotiation by strengthening the Central Tibetan Administration. The four things that need to be visible or seen by all the Tibetan people are “SEEN” which stands for sustainability, education, economy and negotiation. Because of these and other compelling issues that need to addressed, I have decided to stand for the Sikyong’s election,” Tashi Wangdu said.
While answering questions from the reporters, Tashi Wangdu said that he would follow the guidance and wishes of the Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama, without explicitly referring to the Middle Way Approach. He also stressed the urgent need to resume Sino-Tibet dialogue which has been stalled since January 2010 after nine rounds of talks.
The preliminary round of the election for new Sikyong and members of the 16th Tibetan Parliament-in-exile will be held on Oct 18, 2015 and the final election will be held on March 20, 2016.
