Many are still skeptical about this idea. But it might be just what we need. Federalism will make it easier for the public to vent their frustration, and easier for them to get addressed. It will reduce the risk of poor governance. And it will also increase the possibility of spotting a good leader. Let me explain how.
Diffuse discontent
No system is perfect, and there will always be some discontent at the existing system. If the power remains centered in Kathmandu, all the discontent will be targeted at Kathmandu. Even for little things such as, lack of a physician in Baitadi, collapse of a bridge in Phidim, and the death of straying cattle on a highway in Narayanghat. Kathmandu will simply not have resources to tackle these issues on its own. The public will rightly feel their complaints are being ignored. Naturally, they will resort to more eye catching measures such as strikes, vandalism and even warfare against the state to seek attention.
It does not have to be this way. We can have a federal Nepal, where some of the responsibilities are totally delegated to the regional governments. In such cases, the inability to have a doctor in the hospital and the collapse of a suspension bridge will not lead to angst against Kathmandu. Much discontentment will be directed toward the regional government. The leaders at the regional level will have to handle the situations. The chances of the discontent being heard and eventually addressed are a lot higher. This will generate greater public confidence in the system. It will reduce the chances of strikes that bring the country to a halt.
Reduce the risk of poor governance
If you put all your eggs in one basket, you risk the chance of ruining all the eggs, if the carrier drops the basket. But, if you have 14 eggs, carried by 14 different individuals, the chance of all 14 individuals falling and ruining all the eggs is extremely small. Having one chief executive in Kathmandu with all the responsibilities is analogous to one person carrying all the eggs. Having 14 chief ministers with significant powers to run their region is analogous to 14 individuals carrying 14 eggs. In the case of 14 chief ministers, the chance of ruining the country is a lot lower.
Groom potential leaders
Despite being the 43rd largest country out of more than 200 countries in the world (based on population), Nepal has not be able to produce leaders admired by its citizens. There are no leaders that are admired like Narendra Modi in Gujarat, or Nitish Kumar in Bihar. This is because the environment has not been conducive for grooming potential leaders.
Having federal states will change that. It will give greater opportunities for leaders to show their capability to govern. It could possibly act as a platform for future leadership at the national level.
It will also reduce the wasting of rare talent. Take for example, Nitish Kumar. It would have been very difficult for him to become the prime minister of India. If he had no option, but to work in Delhi, and try to become India’s prime minister, his talent would have gone wasted. Now he has the opportunity to show off his managerial ability and his dedication for his country by managing his home state.
There could be many potential Nitish Kumars in Nepal, whose talents are getting wasted because the only place to show off their talent is in Kathmandu. Young politicians like Gagan Thapa could fill a chief minister position at the regional level and prove their real worth.
These arguments have gone missing from the federalism debate so far. Most of the arguments have been based on who will gain, and who will lose. Such arguments have fuelled passion on both sides. Those that fear federalism the most have gone on to say that federalism was never the demand of the public.
It is quite natural for the comfortable class residing in Kathmandu to get nervous about the idea of federalism. After all, they don’t have as much to gain, but possibly have something to lose. But the idea of a unitary state for a country that has to manage 28 million citizens is very risky. It will be a lot less risky, if responsibilities are delegated to the regional governments.
The writer is an Assistant Professor of Economics and Finance at Texas A&M International University in Texas, US
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