KATHMANDU, Dec 13: Former President Dr Ram Baran Yadav has insisted on the need of the full implementation of the constitution for bolstering up national unity and resolve the country’s problems. 

The first president of Republic Nepal said so while launching the book titled ‘Nepali Congress ra Loktantrik Samajwad (Nepali Congress and Democratic Socialism)’ penned by the senior leader of the Nepali Congress, Ram Chandra Poudel, here today. 

Former President Yadav said as the constitution has been issued in line with the Nepali Congress’ ideology and principles the Nepali Congress itself should be more responsible for its implementation. 

He expressed concern over what he said was rapid increase in the trend of religious conversions going on in various parts of the country although the constitution has provisions for secularism. 

Noting that the principle of democratic socialism propounded by the founder leader of the Nepali Congress, the late BP Koirala, was still relevant at present, the former President suggested ending the factionalism inside the party and strengthening the party unity. 

He also expressed worry over big development infrastructures constructed in the Chure and Tarai region leading to widespread deforestation in the region thereby causing soil erosion and desertification. He urged for serious attention to the need of addressing this problem. 

Senior leader and the book’s author Poudel said through the book he has tried to explicate about the democratic socialism ideology adopted by the Nepali Congress in the context of the debate and dispute between the brand of socialism advocated by his party and one advocated by the communists. 

He underscored on the primacy of political ideology and said anarchy and deviation would be unleashed in society if the political ideology became feeble. Senior leader Poudel said there was no dearth of political ideology in the Nepali Congress but what was needed in the party is debate and discourse. The Janata Broadcasting and Publications Limited has published the book. 

Nepali Congress central committee member Dr Ram Sharan Mahat said the socialism advocated by the Nepali Congress is achieved through the democratic system whereas the socialism advocated by the communists is achieved through class struggle. He also said that it was a matter of happiness that the Communist parties in Nepal have come to follow democratic socialism, liberal economic policy and the democratic governance system adopted by the Nepali Congress. 

The former finance minister argued that it was because of the policies adopted by the Nepali Congress-led governments since the restoration of democracy in the country that positive changes have been seen in the education, health, social, economic and trade sectors. 

Central member Pradip Giri suggested internalizing the thoughts of Gandhi, Mao and BP Koirala to work in favor of the voiceless people in the rural areas, saying the development that is done without the participation of the people is never sustainable and effective. 

Prof Lokraj Baral said although there are several definitions of socialism in politics, the real socialism is the one that works for the welfare of the voiceless and oppressed people. 

Former president of Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) Dharmendra Jha and Chair of the Janata Broadcasting and Publications Limited Dr Bijaya Poudel critiqued the book and expressed their views regarding the main features of the book as well as the establishment and goals of socialism. RSS

 
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