Thaindian News

Dharamsala, April 27 (IANS) The newly-elected Tibetan prime minister-in-exile, Lobsang Sangay, Wednesday urged “every Tibetan and friends of Tibet” to join him in their “common cause to alleviate the suffering of Tibetans in occupied Tibet and to return the Dalai Lama to his rightful place in the Potala Palace”.

In a message from the US, Sangay, who was once dubbed a “terrorist” by China because of his earlier association with the militant Tibetan Youth Congress, said: “Time has come for all Tibetans to take on greater responsibility”.

Taking note of the arrest and killings of the Tibetans allegedly by the Chinese government, he also asserted: “We are already facing immense challenges including a critical situation in Ngaba and Amdo with Tibetans being killed and arrested by the Chinese government.”

Making it clear that he would follow the Dalai Lama’s agenda, he said: “I view my election as an affirmation of the far-sighted policies of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, and another important step towards the realisation of his vision of a truly democratic Tibetan society.”

Sangay, a senior fellow of Harvard Law School, has been chosen in the third direct elections for the prime minister that were held March 20.

He will succeed the incumbent, Samdhong Rinpoche, who was chosen twice to the post.

Sangay also asked his supporters to refrain from celebrations.

“I would also like to appeal to my supporters to refrain from organising celebration parties because the result of this election is not an individual loss or victory, but rather a mandate to shoulder the aspirations of six million Tibetans,” he said.

Sangay’s five-year stint is expected to be full of challenges, with the Tibetan parliament giving a nod to the transfer of political power from Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, to the newly elected political leader.