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New coalition, constitutional reform and political instability
Published On: August 14, 2024 08:30 AM NPT By: Rajaram Bartaula
Amid a series of rapidly changing governments, a coalition government of the Nepali Congress (NC) and the CPN-UML has once again taken the helm under the leadership of UML supremo Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli. Whether this aligns with the electoral mandate or not is a matter of debate and discourse
China’s Strategic Interest in Nepal
Published On: June 17, 2024 08:35 AM NPT By: Rajaram Bartaula
Nepal's geo-strategic location is important for China for several reasons.
Democracy's Global Impact Resonates Amidst Growing Concerns of Backsliding
Published On: March 6, 2024 08:30 AM NPT By: Rajaram Bartaula
The year 2024 is becoming an election year in the global arena. An overwhelming 2 billion voters in 50 countries will turn to the polling centres to cast their ballots exercising their universal franchise, a beauty of democracy to elect their representatives to govern.
Call for the Primacy of Climate Diplomacy
Published On: January 19, 2024 09:00 AM NPT By: Rajaram Bartaula
The effects of climate change were visible on the mountain slopes of Baadasur while walking through the natural trail on a hiking trip at the beginning of January. The Rhododendron, which normally starts blooming in the second week of February and lasts until April under regular climatic conditions, is now observed blooming in the middle of winter. This anomaly indicates the adverse effects of climate change due to global warming.
Nonalignment or Multi-alignments
Published On: October 13, 2023 09:30 AM NPT By: Rajaram Bartaula
Nepal, in its neighborhood, is surrounded by countries with nuclear power in their arsenal: China, India, and Pakistan. These countries are so uniquely characterized that one is the arch-rival and adversary to the other, facing each other at the frontiers ready to engage in conflict at any time.
Whither Political Ideology
Published On: August 23, 2023 08:32 AM NPT By: Rajaram Bartaula
There was a time when politics was taken as a field of study with deep interest and politicians were given due respect because of their conviction, dedication, and service to society. Leaders were taken as the harbinger of change and acclaimed. But today, the scenario has dramatically taken a U-turn where politicians are taken as scoundrels, and thieves of the treasury because of their changed role and contribution to society with a bad name.
Coalition politics in Nepal: Navigating the Challenges of Making and Breaking Alliances
Published On: July 5, 2023 08:30 AM NPT By: Rajaram Bartaula
Often, petty interests of political parties override national interests. Since more parties mean more diverse interests, undue pressure is put on the Prime Minister to reconcile differences, and at a certain point, it leads to their breaking.
Democracy in Disarray
Published On: June 19, 2023 09:00 AM NPT By: Rajaram Bartaula
Nepal is losing its momentum in meeting the expectations of its people as a flourishing democratic nation with prosperity and advancement. In the 15 years following the announcement of Nepal as a federal democratic republic in 2008, and particularly after the promulgation of the constitution under a new political setup, the country is descending into chaos, exhibiting all the characteristics of a failed or failing state.
Developing Connectivity to Help Nepal Thrive
Published On: April 20, 2023 09:00 AM NPT By: Rajaram Bartaula
There have been murmurings, gossip, and serious talks within the corridors of Singhadurbar or its periphery about BRI projects, MCC, or Indian investments in hydropower projects, especially in the Koshi and Karnali river belts and the Arun River, a tributary of Koshi. Some time ago, the streets and general populace were divided into for and against MCC in a political line as stimulated by their leaders.
American Interests in Nepal
Published On: February 15, 2023 08:30 AM NPT By: Rajaram Bartaula
Nepal, as a land-linked nation between the two emerging global powers China and India, draws the attention of the superpowers as well, including the United States. Nepal stands to benefit from this situation immensely if it can conduct its diplomacy properly and wisely.
Fractured Popular Mandate and Political Stability
Published On: January 2, 2023 08:40 AM NPT By: Rajaram Bartaula
With the formation of a new government, it seems that in the diplomatic contest between the three global powers in Nepal - India, China and the USA - China came victorious!
Tripartite Agreement on Gurkha Recruitment has lost relevance
Published On: September 6, 2022 06:00 AM NPT By: Rajaram Bartaula
From a diplomatic perspective, maintaining warm and friendly relations between the neighbors may be one dimension and the monetary benefits the Agneepath Scheme brings along with it another, but accepting Agnipath has more disadvantages for Nepal and Nepalis.
Electoral Integrity: A Crucial Aspect of Sustaining Democracy
Published On: January 3, 2022 06:30 AM NPT By: Rajaram Bartaula
There are a host of issues before the election commission and the state to address as a challenge in order to strengthen and defend the electoral democracy, fostering more inclusive and participatory elections.
Himalayan Quadrangle or Himalayan Triangle?
Published On: December 1, 2021 06:30 AM NPT By: Rajaram Bartaula
It would be a litmus test for Nepal to maintain and continue its age-old non-aligned foreign policy in case any emerging regional super power presses her and forces her to oblige them with a strategic partnership. Tilting against the other with a security alliance would be a blunder for its survival. There could possibly be a Himalayan Triangle, a formation of three nations China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, rather than a Himalayan Quadrangle with the inclusion of Nepal.
Distributive Justice in a Plot of Land
Published On: August 19, 2021 01:11 PM NPT By: Rajaram Bartaula
By developing residential community areas near the economic zones, the government could ensure the realization of the constitutional provision of creating a just society by levelling the playing field with fair access to jobs and educational opportunities for the landless. Distributing public land plots to the disadvantaged is not a permanent solution.
The Social Enigma behind Untouchability
Published On: July 25, 2021 03:14 PM NPT By: Rajaram Bartaula
In order to emancipate and liberate oursewlves from the caste system, we have to, first and foremost, erase and eliminate it from our minds and remind ourselves that discrimination is an act of sin. But that’s a herculean task as the caste system has been stuck deep in our thoughts for over a millennia.
Why did provincial govts continue CIDP, despite criticism?
Published On: July 1, 2021 06:59 PM NPT By: Rajaram Bartaula
The CIDP is devised to address the requirements at the community level for smaller projects, which could not be included in the national level program (budget). So, it contradicts not only the principle of decentralization but also the democratic ideals because of its distributive character.
Political Space for Youths
Published On: April 17, 2021 07:00 AM NPT By: Rajaram Bartaula
The political space for youths is going to contract further in South Asia including Nepal until and unless the senior leaders voluntarily give the youths the chance to lead.
Politics of convenience of Nepali Congress
Published On: February 9, 2021 08:10 AM NPT By: Rajaram Bartaula
Nepali Congress is putting its feet in two boats in its response to House dissolution. In other words, Congress is playing a politics of convenience but will it help?
Messing up the system
Published On: January 22, 2021 08:00 AM NPT By: Rajaram Bartaula
When a government elected with an overwhelming majority dissolves the House due to the failure and inability to manage intra party wrangling and discord, it could become a bane for democracy.
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