Consolidated Federalism

Establishment of federal democratic republican system in Nepal is an epoch-making political transformation that has ensured the inclusive democratic rights of the people and made them the master of their destiny. This change is a result of the long struggle of the people that fought against the autocratic regimes, which ruled the country for centuries. The federal democracy is being institutionalised in the past seven years after the promulgation of the new constitution in 2015 but it has a long way to go before it gains roots in a consolidated way and functions smoothly without any glitches. For this to happen, legislative, administrative and financial apparatuses have to be put in place for their unhindered working. There should be no delays in ensuring the sound functioning of the system or it can give room for public disenchantments and opportune fault finding for the anti-federal elements. Central to the decades of mass struggles was the deep-rooted aspirations for development and prosperity and the freedom from political suppression. If the system gained after sacrifices fails to deliver as per the public desires, this only fuels mass frustration. 

Political transformation is a means, and the wellbeing and prosperity of the people is the end. In this regard, people have high hopes on the representatives they have chosen through the ballots. Pro-public conduct and dedication of the representatives to consolidate the federal democratic system and fulfill the aspirations of the people are crucial. In this context, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda has highlighted the vital role played by the elected representatives at all three tiers of the government in fulfilling the aspirations of the people and accelerating the pace of development by properly utilising the available resources. 

The Prime Minister the other day was addressing an important gathering of the chief ministers of the Provinces who have crucial responsibilities in handling the affairs of the federal entities. The provincial executive chiefs, the ministers working with them, provincial security officials, high level civil service officials and the people’s representatives are the key stakeholders with the depth of understanding of the difficulties and conveniences of running the federal mechanism. Based on their daily face to face encounter with problems and challenges, they can recount the odd points and suggest what need to be done to make the system work smoothly. Principles and goals spelled out in the constitution are the key guidelines for every stakeholder of the federal governance to follow. The supreme legal charter of the nation enumerates what deliveries and rights the sovereign people are entitled to in a federal democratic republican Nepal. 

So the every stakeholder of the system, particularly the people’ representatives, should keep the constitution at the centre of their plans, policies and their executions. That is the main mantra for the institutionalisation of the federal democracy and the implementation of the constitution itself. The representatives of the people have been mandated through the constitutionally stated political exercise during the elections and the serious onus lies on them, as outlined by the Prime Minister in his Pokhara address, to meet the aspirations of the masses in an efficient manner. Seven years after the promulgation of the constitution, the nation has come past the difficult phase of transition and now is the time to move forward on the path of development and prosperity. For this to be translated into practice, having political stability and adhering to the principle of good governance is crucial.