Democratic Values

With Nepal facing a myriad of challenges ranging from political instability to economic slump, efforts being made by the government alone may not be sufficient to take the nation out of this testing situation. In this post-COVID scenario, the unemployment problem has also gone from bad to worse. This has led to an increase in the number of foreign job aspirants. The country could become capable of dealing with such challenges and moving forward to accomplish goals of overall development and prosperity only when the political parties forge a broader national consensus. Since no single political party has secured a clear majority in the federal as well as provincial legislatures, promoting consensus politics is necessary. The country can strive for addressing the key national issues through consensual decision-making and law formulation. It is needless to reiterate that democracy is the best form of governance as it helps in maintaining law and order based on the notion of power sharing. A wider national harmony is possible only in countries where the democratic system of governance prevails.

Democracy also enables people in electing their leaders to run the government as free and fair periodic elections are its foundation. People can enjoy equal rights irrespective of their caste, religion and sex. As democracy boosts the quality of decision-making and enhances the dignity of citizens. Another strength or feature of democracy is that it offers a mechanism to handle differences and disagreements while it offers chances for everyone to rectify their mistakes. Though Nepali people had first established democracy in the country more than seven decades back, the democratic values and principles have yet to become deepened as anticipated. Many political leaders and ordinary people had sacrificed their lives for democracy. It was Falgun 7th of 2007 BS that the historic popular uprising abolished the 104-year-old family rule of the Ranas, ushering in the multiparty democratic system.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has emphasised the need for the political parties to reach an extensive national consensus in order to attain an inclusive economic growth in the country.  The Prime Minister made the remark while speaking at a special function organised in Kathmandu to mark the 73rd National Democracy Day on Sunday. He said that the government was working on bringing about changes in the lives of people as per the political changes. Democracy Day holds a lot of historical importance for the nation and the people. It was the day when Nepali people had been freed from the clutches of the autocratic family-centric regime. The day must inspire one and all to work towards leading the nation to desired socio-economic transformation. The Constitution of Nepal, 2015 envisages the socialism-oriented economy in order to make an end to the economic inequality from the nation. Recalling that constitutional provision, the PM appealed everyone to get united for preparing a basis for socialism.

The Prime Minister said that the government is committed to institutionalising prosperity by dealing with economic challenges, establishing sustainable peace in line with transitional justice and having independent and balanced diplomatic relations in view of the nation's geo-political situation. For the people to feel ownership and work towards safeguarding democracy and its achievements, political, economic and social exercises should be based on democratic norms. The government, political parties and their leaders need to make people feel change through social justice, good governance, equality and prosperity through the larger political understanding and consensus among them.