NC Convention should adopt resolution for institutionalizing democracy

Kathmandu: Nepali Congress, the oldest democratic party of the country, is going through the process of holding the 13th general convention of the party – the question is will the party adopt strategy for resolving the problems dogging the country or just complete the normal events of the general convention.

Although the party has played important roles during different democratic movements of the country, the party is also equally responsible for the sorry state of the country. It is alleged that the Nepali Congress and its leaders cannot remain out of power and they run only for power rather than solving the problems and giving political outlet to the country. For example, Nepali Congress planted the seed of political instability in the country after dissolving the parliament in 1994, which had the majority in the parliament following dispute within the party. In November 1994, the then Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala called for a dissolution of parliament and general elections after a procedural defeat on the floor of the House when 36 members of parliament (MPs) of his party went against a government-sponsored vote of confidence. Nepali Congress’s move to dissolve the parliament with its majority contributed to destabilize the political change of 1990.

The internal rift of the party contributed to provide fertile land for the Maoist insurgency. As a result of the internal rift within the party, the party saw a split and merged again after some interval. However the party is yet to learn lessons from its past mistakes. The political parties started the politics of consensus following the success of the April uprising. The unity among three political parties resulted to deliver the new constitution through consensus despite opposition and external pressure. This is a good testimony that internal unity helps to solve all domestic problems. However, the greed of power of NC President Sushil Koirala and filing of his candidacy for the post of Prime Minister, breaching the previous agreement between three major political parties, resulted in political instability in the country and many groups got the opportunity to play in the mud water at a time when there was a need of implementing the new constitution.

The Oli government was formed at a time when the country was passing through a very difficult juncture. The government might have various weaknesses but this is the time to encourage the government to stand by the people’s aspiration rather than other forces seeking opportunity for changing the government. If the information coming from different sources that Nepali Congress is mulling to topple the incumbent Oli government is true, it will be very unfortunate for the country. It is not that the Oli government should stay for long but it is obvious that if the political parties engage in frequent changing of government, it will bring political instability in the country. Being the oldest Democratic Party, Nepali Congress should believe in people’s power and periodic election. For example, Maoists had never imagined that they could get such results during the election of the second constituent assembly. Nepali Congress should play positive role for institutionalizing democracy rather than just running for the power game.

Although we got the new constitution through the constituent assembly fulfilling the six decade long aspiration of the Nepali people, it also brought a lot of challenges as many groups are trying to lead the country towards instability and divide, so all the political forces should unite together at least for a couple of years to institutionalize the new constitution and give political stability to the country. The general convention of the Nepali Congress is taking place at a time when the country is in a critical juncture. This is the opportunity for the party to take appropriate decisions towards leading the country towards stability. The party should convey the message that the current constitution is the result of a long struggle of the Nepali people and all people should contribute to institutionalize the constitution through the general convention.

The general convention should not only be the junket to elect new leadership but the opportunity to form appropriate policy for the party, which will support to solve the problems dogging the country. Nepali Congress should come out of the mindset that they should be in the government all the time even at the cost of the country and people. However, rather than being involved in various ideological debates and discussions, all the leaders are indulging in the game of grabbing power. Three leaders of the party, who are at retirement age, are running for the top post of the party rather than working on how to make the party vibrant and relevant in the modern context. Most of the leaders including the youth leaders are involved in one group or other to secure their position in party politics. Youth leaders are the backbone of the party, so they should pressurize the party leadership to come up with clear policies and ideology for the party rather than just running for the posts. The general convention should provide opportunity to bring ideological leaders to the top positions of party rather than being involved in groupism.

Being the oldest democratic party of the country, Nepali Congress could play the leading role for resolving the current crisis as attempts are on to bring ethnic conflict in the country. Though the party took leadership in various movements and led such movements to success, the party has played a very frail role towards institutionalizing such changes due to power seeking nature of its leadership; therefore this is the right opportunity for the party to prove that it has the capacity to bring positive changes in the lives of Nepali people. The general convention should elect the youth leaders in major positions and make clear strategy for institutionalizing the new constitution and giving political outlet to the current problems dogging the country. Youth leaders should play the role of catalyst for bringing the party to the right track rather than just securing their positions in party hierarchy. The old leadership should adopt the role of patron and handover the party leadership to the youths who are capable of facing the current and new challenges.

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