My Republica

Narayan Manandhar

The contributor for Republica.
news@myrepublica.com

The crux of the matter

Published On: May 24, 2023 09:00 AM NPT By: Narayan Manandhar

There are two ways to control malaria. One, you can have mosquito nets and mosquito repellants. These are essentially preventive measures. Nets and repellants will help keep away mosquitos and prevent you from catching the disease. Second, the most effective way to control malaria is to attack the breeding grounds of the mosquitos.

In the jungle of corruption

Published On: May 13, 2023 08:45 AM NPT By: Narayan Manandhar

With the unfolding of high voltage “fake refugee scandal” corruption or rather anti-corruption cacophony is out there in the streets, in the parliament and in the media. In fact, it is the talk of the town.

Reforming Anti-Corruption Legislations

Published On: May 7, 2023 09:00 AM NPT By: Narayan Manandhar

Corruption and anti-corruption are very much in the headlines. Besides media revealing high-profile cases, there are a couple of factors triggering the debate. First, some bills related to corruption and anti-corruption (amending corruption control Act, Procurement Act, the CIAA Act) are underway for amendment in the parliament.

The Byawastha-Awastha Hypothesis

Published On: April 27, 2023 09:00 AM NPT By: Narayan Manandhar

There is a simmering debate in Nepali politics that in spite of so much change in the political system (byawastha), there is little or no change in the living conditions (awastha) of the masses. This is what I call the Byawastha-Awastha hypothesis.

Political Match-Fixing

Published On: February 4, 2023 08:09 AM NPT By: Narayan Manandhar

The formation of electoral alliances and its consequences for the making and breaking of coalition governments, party splits, defections, horse-trading and buying and selling of MPs will continue to feature in Nepali politics. This implies political instability and turbulence to be the core feature of Nepali politics.

Anti-Corruption Drive: Preventive Vs Punitive

Published On: January 27, 2023 09:23 AM NPT By: Narayan Manandhar

Broadly, anti-corruption strategies are categorized into three groups, namely, promotional (educational, awareness generating programs), preventive (systemic reforms) and punitive (sanctions and deterrence) measures.

(Un)Common Minimum Program

Published On: January 17, 2023 12:45 PM NPT By: Narayan Manandhar

Anyone taking a deeper dive into the new coalition government’s common minimum program will immediately find it to be hurriedly drawn, highly ambitious, populist and distributive in character.

PM Deuba’s defining moment

Published On: August 31, 2021 03:45 PM NPT By: Narayan Manandhar

Deuba’s fifth stint as the Prime Minister of Nepal may be brief but the unfolding of events, both national and international, reveals to be a defining moment for him.

Antics of MCC critics

Published On: August 18, 2021 07:10 AM NPT By: Narayan Manandhar

KATHMANDU, August 18: Given Nepal’s current situation, MCC or no MCC is not going to make any difference. The sky is not going to fall without the MCC, nor will we be having a heavenly ride with the MCC. Yet, the political forces in the opposition have found it to be a rallying cry.

Politics and Business

Published On: August 7, 2021 11:07 AM NPT By: Narayan Manandhar

For me, as an academic taking interest in issues like business ethics, corporate social responsibility and anti-corruption, keeping aside highly personalized attacks and innuendos, Mr Shrestha’s appointment opens up a never-ending debate on nexus between business and politics in Nepal. Once again, I repeat, business is politics and politics is business in my Nepal.

Political trilogy

Published On: July 30, 2021 12:40 PM NPT By: Narayan Manandhar

Nepal’s anarchic monarchy had an unceremonious end after the notorious palace massacre of 1 June 2001. The incident was a kind of implosion within an exclusive system. King Gyanendra was able to drag on the dead and defunct monarchy for the next five years simply because the 9/11 incident took place and subsequently the US declared a “war on terror”.

The Accidental Prime Minister

Published On: July 22, 2021 01:14 PM NPT By: Narayan Manandhar

With mere 63 seats in parliament which has 275 seats, the Nepali Congress party (23%) was not even fit for an opposition, forget heading the government. But the unfolding of political events and circumstances pushed Deuba to head a wobbling government that could easily fall apart with no reasons rather than holding together with a purpose.

The Political Imbroglio

Published On: April 1, 2021 07:35 AM NPT By: Narayan Manandhar

The on-going political imbroglio has been created by the lack of trust and mutual doubt and suspicion amongst the four major players. As none of the four holds a simple majority, they have to join hands with the other to form the next coalition government.

Why K P Oli must go

Published On: March 18, 2021 10:10 AM NPT By: Narayan Manandhar

Failing to sack Oli out of power is tantamount to breeding a situation of impunity at the highest level of executive authority.

What next for NCP after the court verdict?

Published On: March 9, 2021 07:55 AM NPT By: Narayan Manandhar

If NCP Double is to split along UML and Maoist Centre what will happen to those MPs crisscrossing between Oli and Dahal-Nepal camps?

Olitics-politics and ethics

Published On: February 28, 2021 07:00 AM NPT By: Narayan Manandhar

Prime Minister Oli is very much the part of the problem. Therefore, cannot be part of the solution.

Oli’s follies

Published On: February 12, 2021 07:00 AM NPT By: Narayan Manandhar

Deceit and thuggery have gone to such an extent that in one moment PM says one thing and in the next moment does opposite of what he just said.

Comedy of errors of communist rule

Published On: February 3, 2021 07:00 AM NPT By: Narayan Manandhar

The very party chief who boasted so much about having two-thirds majority dissolved the parliament and called for next elections, again, to secure the two-thirds majority.

Decoding controversies surrounding writ petitions

Published On: January 25, 2021 07:00 AM NPT By: Narayan Manandhar

Several controversies have surfaced surrounding the dozen writ petitions filed against the PM’s decision to dissolve the parliament. Have a look.

Parliament dissolution is constitutionally wrong, politically illegitimate

Published On: January 13, 2021 07:00 AM NPT By: Narayan Manandhar

If a majority government does not wish to run the government only sensible way out is to resign and pave the way for others to form the government.