We proclaim to practice democracy, but end up murdering it in the daylight. The political leaders who lost the elections are leading the nation with the same age-old mentality. Their thirst for power has not only cast our nation into a deep hole, but they behave as new lords of our society. As a citizen, I find it deeply insulting to see promises broken time and time again. Despite overwhelming support from donor nations, we have failed in capitalizing on the opportunities too many times. People have every reason to be angry. Our economy is a shambles. The episodes of violence, murder, smuggling, and black-marketing are killing the very fabric of our society.
Former Prime Minister GP Koirala led the nation most of the time after the 1990 revolution. He proved to be a power-monger who created insurmountable problems at home, and tarnishing our international image. Koirala represents the status quo and fails to understand the dynamics of a changing world. He is yet to realize how people have rejected him and his party. His utter failure to govern the country coupled with ego and political ambition is obstructing the workings of the transition government and the constituent assembly, which is proving to be disastrous for Nepal’s long-term future. Unlike his brothers, Koirala fell short in working for the benefit of the masses. History books will not be kind to him.
Crafting a new constitution is different than late night political deals. The 601 representatives have to answer their constituency at the end of the two-year term. The model of our constitution has to be discussed and dissected in our society where media should play the role of watch-dog. It has been more than six months since the first sitting of the house, and they have not even begun the process of drafting the constitution. Our constitution cannot be crafted behind the curtain dictated by our neighboring “Big Brothers” to the benefit of certain interest groups.
By all accounts, we are not a perfect nation and we shall never be one. But our political culture must change to move ahead. We need to change the political discourse in this country. Because of the handful of leaders’ greed for power, the UN Human Development Report claims that more than 38% of 28 million people are suffering from abject poverty. Meanwhile, Nepal is increasingly becoming a haven for international players to manipulate our politics to their own advantage. We cannot continue to be directed by those alien hands. We need their assistance in development works and other socioeconomic activities, but they should have never been the centre of attraction. We should not subscribe and bow to everything they dictate. Once the election is over and the government is formed, the whole nation should come together to help the government navigate the tremendous challenges we face. The government alone cannot solve all our problems. Political fluidity poses an instant threat to national sovereignty and integrity. Moreover, our leaders do not seem to realize the need for new politics. People are educated and smarter than they were a decade ago. We mandated the representatives to represent our interests, not to kill our aspirations. It seems people’s hopes have been dashed once again.
Sadly, our political culture goes in the other direction. Let alone the opposition party, who is angry they are not in power, even the ruling coalition do not support the government. How can we expect change? How can people feel a sense of confidence in their leaders? We are heading into a ditch from which it will take years, if not decades, to come out of. The infected state of mind cannot bring about the change we need. We are being fooled by old faces in new masks. Our proud historical events and political breakthroughs are not enough for us to be hopeful.
Our leaders should be transformational role models for all of us. We should be able to look up to them and promise ourselves that we, too, can one day be a leader and lead this country. They should be torch-bearers, and be able to inspire all of us to come together to rebuild this broken nation. Political leaders should have a clear vision directing the country into much-needed development and stability. We should, as President-elect of the United States Barack Obama once said, rise and fall together as a nation.
subhash580@hotmail.com
(The writer is studying Political Science at St. Olaf College, USA)
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