NC needs a major shake-up

Nepali Congress (NC), the party that played a leading role during the 2006 Democratic Movement, is facing a leadership as well as an organizational crisis. Despite winning two general elections earlier with a simple majority, it has now been reduced to the second-largest party in the Constituent Assembly (CA) polls. But why? Is it because Nepalis prefer communism instead of democratic ideologies? Or is there something wrong with the NC leadership, the largest democratic party? NC, under the leadership of B P Koirala, had secured two-thirds majority in the first parliamentary election held in 1958 securing 74 out of 109 seats but it managed to secure only 114 seats in the CA polls held in 2008 under the leadership of GP Koirala.

As the oldest surviving democratic party of Nepal, NC has a history of 60 years of active democratic exercise during which period it led almost all the major revolutions and agitations in the country. Be it the revolution of 1950 against the Rana regime, student movement of 1980 that led to the announcement of referendum, the People’s Movement of 1990 or the People’s Movement Part II of 2006, NC led the way.

So, why did NC suffer defeat in the CA elections against all expectations? As an organization, NC has been suffering a lot, though Koirala’s personal image and personality has proved instrumental in assuming a key role in the current political stage. The party, which brought the Maoists to mainstream politics, ending the decade-long armed insurgency, is lagging behind. Why? In the Hindu epic Mahabharata, we find that after the end of many years of war, Krishna helps Pandavas to become victorious. But after the victory, the entire dynasty of Krishna, i.e. Yaduvanshas, witness a devastating end. Is the NC heading towards a fate similar to that of Yaduvanshas?

Who is going to steer the party after Koirala? NC leaders and cadres themselves don’t seem to have a suitable candidate in mind. Second-generation leaders like Shushil Koirala, Sher Bahadur Deuba and Ramchandra Poudel have not convincingly displayed their ability and skill to steer the party in the 21st century. They lack boldness, a clear vision, and enthusiasm as per the need of the hour. Each suffer from distinctive negative public image—Sushil Koirala is viewed as very narrow-minded, Deuba as chicken-hearted and Poudel as one who lacks a clear vision and inclined toward regressive forces. All of them failed to live up to the people’s expectation when they had their chances.

Meanwhile, third-generation leaders like Sujata Koirala, Bimalendra Nidhi, Prakash Man Singh, Ram Sharan Mahat, Narahari Acharya are rising in the party’s leadership hierarchy with more enthusiasm and vigor. But the party cadres appear hesitant to accept these younger generation leaders as national figures. In such a situation, there exists no alternative than opting for collective leadership. If the third-generation leaders can cooperate and work together closely, there is no doubt that they can provide better alternatives to the party.

NC lacks a proper cadre evaluation system. Those who are close to the party’s top leadership fare better than those who focus on arresting workers’ attrition in the villages and remote areas.

The party has postponed its general convention a number of times due to dispute over active membership distribution. There is a tendency within the NC leadership to capture party’s organization at any cost instead of winning the hearts of its members. The party also needs to hike up cooperation, collaboration and unity, which is badly needed at this moment. To revamp its organizational effectively and win the next general election, NC has to focus on four important factors: Leadership, Organization, Vision and Enthusiasm, (LOVE).

LEADERSHIP

Leaders like B P Koirala, Suvarna Shumsher Rana, Surya Prasad Upadhyaya and Ganesh Man Singh, who had steered NC in the past are lacking at present. These leaders had vision, boldness, ability and people’s love and support as well. The party no longer has such able leaders. Congress leaders should analyze the current national and international situation, chalk out programs and policies as per the need of the hour and mobilize their cadres to regain people’s confidence and lead the country toward a bright future.

ORGANIZATION

NC’s party organization was weakened during the decade-long insurgency waged by Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist). As a result, its activities are limited to the capital city and other urban areas of the country. At the village level, its leaders and party workers cannot campaign effectively due to the Maoist threat and intimidation. Therefore, NC needs to make an effort to reach out to people at the grass root level and penetrate remote areas to win their hearts. The party also lacks a proper cadre evaluation system while nepotism and favoritism continue to be its hallmarks. Those who are close to the party’s top leadership fare better than those who focus on arresting workers’ attrition in the villages and remote areas.

Therefore, the party needs to revamp its organization by launching people-oriented programs and activities.

VISION

NC has been following the ideology of democratic socialism since 1956. In fact, some Western countries adopted the ideals of democratic socialism to counter the growing influence of communism with the rise of Soviet Union and communist China in the 1960s. With the fall of Soviet Union and the subsequent end of the cold war, there is no ideological competition in the world. Now, the international socialist movement has slowed down and the world is guided by market economy, liberalization, globalization and privatization. Not surprisingly, NC has never reviewed its ideological doctrine in the changed national and international contexts. Is it relevant to follow socialism in this rapidly globalized and liberalized world?

Maybe, Nepal being a country dominated by communist ideologies, it is still relevant to adopt some principles of welfare economics, but discussion on this regard has never taken place within the party. What is the right economic model for the country to revamp the economy after the devastating effects of the decade-long insurgency? How can Nepal compete with other South Asian and South-East Asian countries in the increasingly globalized and liberal economy? We need leaders who can steer the party as well as the country towards the right direction.

ENTHUSIASM

NC party workers seem to lack enthusiasm while the Maoists have stirred up theirs in the name of “civilian supremacy” and “national independence”. Maoist leaders are issuing slogans after slogans, not only to oppose the government and to criticize India, but also to engage their party cadres. They are working on many fronts simultaneously—running trade unions, organizing Young Communist League members, coaxing People’s Liveration Army soldiers and so on. In stark contrast, NC has no programs to keep its workers engaged. They continue to remain idle as the party leadership has neither outlined any responsibilities nor programs to engage them productively. There are so many areas such as social work, community-based activities, cleaning campaign, conservation campaign, et al, in which party workers can be engaged.

Similarly, there also exist pressing issues like lengthy power cuts, price hikes, scarcity of consumer goods, lack of transport services, frequent strikes and shutdowns. All these problems offer an opportunity to the NC to launch programs and involve party cadres to make the people feel that something is being done for them. The opposition party, the Maoists, are cashing in on problems like price hike, border encroachment, civilian supremacy and so on. Why is the ruling coalition, especially the Nepali Congress silent on these issues? Last but not the least, NC also needs to cleanup its image and free itself from the grip of an outdated mentality and corrupt leaders.

sirish27@yahoo.com