GURU RINPOCHE IS USED AS A POLITICAL TOOL
The Tibetan Govt in exile is SPONSORING GURU RINPOCHE STATUES. When done they will be placed in Gaden, Sera and Drepung. It is Tibetan Govt mandate that these three Gelug institutions MUST HAVE A GURU RINPOCHE STATUE IN THEIR MAIN ALTER.
There is nothing wrong with Guru Rinpoche or Guru Rinpoche statue in Gelug Institutions, but are the Tibetan Govt sponsoring Lord Tsongkapa statues to be placed in the venerable institutions of Sakya, Kagyu and Nyingma?? Of course not. It makes you wonder what sect of Tibetan Buddhism the Ministers in the Tibetan Govt predominantly belong to. Not that it makes any difference in reality, but they are making it a difference.
Guru Rinpoche is a buddha, but having or not having his image has become a political issue. That reflects the level, 'education', and mentality of the so called ministers of the Tibetan Govt. We can see why they have never recieved indepence or even autonomy for Tibet.
As to when the statues will be placed is not known as they are in the processing of making them.