military cadres as the king lay ill in Switzerland. The Dorji family was subsequently put under close watch. The King's own uncle and head of the Royal Bhutan Army, Namgyal Bahadur, was among those executed for their role in the assassination of Jigme palden Dorji. The post of Prime Minister (Lyonchen) was vacant, and the King identified Jigme Dorji's brother Lhendup as the successor. Lhendup's mother, then head of the Dorji family, advised the King against giving any title to Lhendup because it would have made the situation more explosive. In 1964, however, the King announced his intention to appoint Lhendup as Lyonchen. Lhendup fled to Nepal in 1965 due to political pressure, and was effectively exiled by the National Assembly. List of prominent Dorjis Raja Ugyen Dorji, Gongzim (Chief Minister) 1907–1917 Raja Sonam Topgay Dorji, Gongzim (Chief Minister) 1917–1952 Ugyen Rimpoche, lama and son of Topgay Dorji Jigme Palden Dorji, Lyonchen (Prime Minister) 1952–1964 Lhendup Dorji, Acting Lyonchen (Prime Minister) July–November 1964 See also Politics of Bhutan House of Wangchuck Bhutan House References Politics of Bhutan