KATHMANDU, April 23: There were high hopes among the people that this historic change would end all our ills. Loktantra was restored on Baishakh 11, 2063 BS (April 24, 2006). But 14 years after abolishing the 240-year-old monarchy, people’s hopes have dashed, and the voices of dissatisfaction with the system itself is only getting louder. 

Loktantra ending the decade-long Maoist conflict that claimed more than 17,000 lives. The new constitution of the republic was promulgated by the elected members of the Constituent Assembly (CA)-- a key demand of the former Maoist rebels -- after much ruckus in 2015. 

Elections to the federal, provincial and local governments have already been held under the framework of the new constitution, and all three tiers of governments are in place. But those hoping for good days after the promulgation of a democratic constitution are only left with disappointment, as leaders have failed to deliver on the promises made to the people. 

Corruption cases have skyrocketed in the last few years, and the commitment of major political parties to ensure good governance and the rule of law proved elusive. Those with access to power  corridors in Singha Durbar and Baluwatar are able to reap benefits from the state. A large section of the population still lives in grinding poverty, only made worse by the 2015 earthquakes and the ongoing lockdown.

Although the outcomes of the elections, held under the framework of the new constitution, paved a way for a stable polity, leaders never failed to surprise people with their sheer stupidity and selfishness. Almost 1,500 young people left the country on a daily basis in the last 10 years or so. 

As the country celebrates the 14th Loktantra Diwas in the midst of this troubling reality, professor Krishna Pokharel says that it is time for all the leaders of ruling parties as well as other democratic parties to retrospect over what they did in the past 14 years. "Today is a day for the ruling as well as other democratic parties to self-retrospect, and salute the great sacrifices made by the people," Pokharel tweeted. 

 
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