Bhutan King hands over reins to his son
In a sudden move, King Jigme Singye Wangchuk of Bhutan handed over his responsibilities as the Monarch and head of state of Bhutan to the Crown Prince Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.
The Crown Prince will now assume the full responsibilities of head of state as the fifth Druk Gyalpo, according to Kuensel online- premier news portal of Bhutan.
"The time has now come for me to hand over my responsibilities to Trongsa Penlop Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck," the December 15 news report quoted King Jigme as stating.
"I am confident that a very bright future lies ahead for Bhutan with the leadership of a new King and a democratic system of government that is best suited for our country as enshrined under the Constitution. I have every confidence that there will be unprecedented progress and prosperity for our nation in the reign of our fifth King."
"As the transition was formally announced on December 14, the 24th day of the 10th Bhutanese month, the day was charged with emotion, and a special sitting of the Cabinet in Tashichhodzong was unable to articulate a comprehensive discussion. Cabinet members and special guests that included the chief justice, the speaker of the National Assembly, and the chief election commissioner were overcome by emotion and sat in a long and stunned silence after His Majesty the King's announcement," the Kuensel reported.
King Jigme, in fact had been saying that he would abdicate from the throne since last December.
Stating that the time was right for the transition, King Jigme said that, as long as he himself continued to be King, the Crown Prince would not gain the actual experience of dealing with issues and carrying out the responsibilities of a head of state. "With parliamentary democracy to be established in 2008 there was much to be done so it was necessary that he gained this valuable experience."
The Kuensel report adds that King Jigme, too, had taken over the reigns of governance at the age of 16 years. The current Crown Prince, who has now become new King of Bhutan, is 26 years old.
The prime minister of Bhutan Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk, while saying that "the government had been aware of His Majesty's wishes but they were at a complete loss when they actually heard the royal command and received the royal kasho announcing the actual abdication."
Meanwhile, in Nepal, Bhutanese refugee leader Tek Nath Rijal, talking to BBC Nepali service, and reacting to King Jigme's decision said it was not of any significance to them. Rijal had been urging the Bhutanese government and Bhutanese King to allow the repatriation of over 100,000 refugees who are languishing in refugee camps in eastern Nepal for last one and a half decade. nepalnews.com sd Dec 16
