No plans to reconsider retirement, says Dalai Lama

Dharamsala, Mar 19(PTI) The Dalai Lama has conveyed his
"clear no" to the resolution of Tibetan parliament in exile,
asking the spiritual leader to reconsider his retirement plan.
"His Holiness said in his address during teaching that he
has no intention of backing down. He is the only person to
decide and any decision will only be his," Joint Secretary at
the Dalai Lama's office Tenzin Taklha, said.
Earlier a resolution was passed by the parliament on
Friday urging the Dalai Lama not to shed his political
authority and reconsider his retirement plans.
The resolution was then submitted to the Dalai Lama for
his re-consideration.
"We sent the resolution passed by 37 members to the
Dalai Lama's office Saturday," said Speaker Penpa Tsering
during the ongoing debate in the parliament, the proposal of
His Holiness was discussed in detail.
Only one member (Tenzin Chonden) favoured the
proposal while rest of them were of the view that the Dalai
Lama should continue as the political head .
The 43-member house is being attended by 38, including
the speaker and the deputy speaker.
The Dalai Lama, who has been carrying on a
six-decade-long struggle for freedom of Tibetan Buddhists,
announced his decision to retire as political head of Tibetan
government-in-exile and to hand over his "formal authority" to
a "freely-elected" leader on March 10.