Watch Your Actions

The election results have assured us that at least we will not be witnessing the nonchalant leaders and their shenanigans in the decisive hall of the parliament. Remember an MP dozing off and, afterwards, casually complaining about the banality of discussions in the parliament. Nepali citizens didn't dwell on that, perhaps being accustomed to seeing such drama in the parliament. The hurling of furniture to express disapproval sits atop all the dramas in the Nepali parliament. It's a shame that the leaders chosen by the citizens could go to that extent. 

Those leaders were supposed to be the representative voices of the entire population in the country. In retrospect, it hurts every Nepali citizen that their collective dreams of a “better Nepal” have gone unrealised, owing to the lacklustre behaviour on the part of political elites. What goes on behind the closed doors in Nepali politics is apparent in the growing number of corruption cases and other scandals embroiling the political leaders. Shockingly, the leaders have failed to behave even in the open space of the parliament when watched by the entire country.

The overt exhibition of their mischiefs does well to explain their actions behind closed doors. To put it lightly, Nepali leaders in the past have showcased the lack of discipline and ethical standards that they should possess. The undisciplined actions inside the parliament by leaders should not be viewed as their emotional expressions; these antics are solely fuelled by their old habits of taking the citizens for granted.

This election, the people have sidelined the leaders they perceived as stubborn and ineffective. Hopefully, it indicates the beginning of something special. First of all, we need our leaders to behave well and speak in good manners. Every single mischief in the parliament is an insult to citizens and their high hopes pinned on the political class. A disciplined and organised parliament is the least that the Nepali people deserve at the moment. The overwhelming number of young people in the parliament is evidence of the people’s quest for change. Along with weighing development on various fronts, people will also test these new characters and their temperament.

The new government that will be formed under Balen Shah is set to become the most powerful government since the 1991 democratic election. There's wide speculation that the parliament will have the weakest opposition of all time in Nepali politics. This means RSP will be driving the politics with a thumping mandate, and if they fail to deliver, they should blame no one but themselves. How RSP and its leaders will act once they inherit the power is something very interesting to see. 

For the sake of Nepal and its citizens, it's high time that they channel their energy into serving people's interests. The abuse of power and anarchism in the parliament will only remind the citizens of old times. The RSP and its young leaders need to keep themselves away from the gimmicks practiced and set a precedent by showcasing restraint. Let the parliament be a space for subtle arguments between the ruling party and opposition forces. The walls of the parliament can't absorb the clamour anymore.