The election opponents Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay and Speaker Penpa Tsering held a joint press conference today expressing their apologies and affirmations of their commitment to secure and ensure unity, harmony in the Tibetan community following His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s speech at the centenary celebration of Mentseekhang.
“During the centenary celebration of Mentseekhang on 23 March, His Holiness the Dalai Lama expressed concern on the declining morality of Tibetans. Similarly, the state oracle Nechung and Tsering Chenga issued an advisory recently, admonishing the election-related activities of the two candidates and their supporters which had a tone of regionalism and groupism, thus causing deep sorrow to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.” said Speaker Penpa Tsering who addressed the press first.
“Therefore, I offer my profound apology to His Holiness the Dalai Lama for the same,” he said.
“Whatever has happened in the lead-up to the election has already happened. We can’t change it anymore. What we can do now is think of the future,” he appealed the public with folded hands and told stop all election-related negative activities which are causing serious distress and disunity.
The Speaker also added that ‘there are no personal grudges or differences between the two final candidates and called on the public to do the same and exert concerted effort to achieve harmony in the entire community’.
Recalling an advice from His Holiness the Dalai Lama to both of them recently, he said: “Holding both of us in his hands, His Holiness the Dalai Lama told us recently that it is the responsibility of both of us to harness unity among the three traditional provinces of Tibet following the election.”
“Now that the election is over, we urge you to stop all election-related negative activities. It is your democratic right to support your preferred candidate during the election. However, now we should stop leveling baseless allegations including editing the Nechung oracle video to disrepute people. It is unfortunate that we couldn’t leave even the gods and oracles out of this,” he said, urging once again to his supporters to shut down the various chat groups on social media and elsewhere.
Speaking after Penpa Tsering, Sikyong Lobsang Sangay addressed the press conference “As per the recent advisory of the oracles, there is a strong need for unity and guarantee of faith in the community. When there is unity and bonding, our collective merit increases, which has a parallel impact on His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s lifespan. Therefore, as I have said before, it is of extreme importance that we maintain our unity and the sacred bond of affection for all,” .
“The election is over now. I agree, that in the lead up to the election, there were a few unfortunate instances, which have caused sadness among the public. For that, I offer my sincere apologies,” he apologized.
“Most important of all, I offer my deep apology for causing sorrow to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and pledge that the Kashag would move forward with resolute conviction and bearing His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s advice in our hearts, we will fulfill those noble ideals and aspirations,” said Dr. Lobsang Sangay.
“According extreme importance to His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s advice, we are formulating a series of programs in health and poverty reduction to create a robust and vibrant Tibetan community. The next Kashag would implement it in earnest,” he promised the public.
“We don’t have a more valuable and precious leader like His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The unity of the Tibetans inside and outside Tibet and the success of the Tibetans in exile are all due to His Holiness. Even if you look at history, there is not a single individual more important and resourceful than His Holiness the Dalai Lama for the Tibetan people,” Sikyong added.
“Therefore, I promise that I would do my best to fulfill the aspirations and vision of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and urge the public to do the same,” he said.
Finally, speaker Penpa Tsering specially expressed regret and apologies to the Tibetans inside Tibet on behalf of both the final candidate if the recent events have caused disappointments.