December 9, 2024, Monday
Nepal 1:37:26 pm

Contesting poll alone!

The Nepal Weekly
November 12, 2024

That leading political parties have decided to contest December by-polls alone is an encouraging sign for the natural growth process of political organizations. Fed up by the alliances they made during elections in the past, leading parties have finally decided to face people on the basis of their own capacity. Fighting elections on the basis of the values that parties are attached to is democratic and should be encouraged. Although in a democracy leaders and parties practice the skills of negotiation, agreement, alliance, compromise and understanding on the basis of values and issues, forging ties with parties pursuing conflicting values is not healthy. The political alliances that Nepali Congress, CPN UML and the Maoist Centre formed in the past in various combinations could not result in any political stability in the country. None of the modalities of alliances could offer the country hope and political stability; the alliances only helped parties to join or break combinations. As a result of such break-up people in general have lost faith in the politicos. Contesting polls alone will also give political parties a realistic sense of their support-base and boost their confidence in their political journey ahead. The same could be instrumental in guiding parties and leaders to chart strategy for future in an informed manner. Competing in polls alone specially by leading political parties and their leaders could also be helpful in enhancing the cause of political ethics and accountability. The process could encourage leaders to have pledge as per their capacity and not promise for things that they cannot do. Handling politics independently on the basis of the values and beliefs is essential in the context of Nepali politics. It would facilitate the process of mobilizing politics positively in the interest of broad cause and public service. Politics after all is for service to the people; it is not and cannot be a tool to have transaction for power or remaining in power all the time. When political parties approach people in polls with their agenda or scheme they would be able to convince people better and earn their trust effectively. This process when compared to the practice of alliances and their mixed bag schemes could introduce real time competition among the politicos concerned. Constructive and positive competition in politics, they say, would be in the ultimate interest of the society and people. That is the reason why the determination of leading political parties to compete alone and out of any political alliances could be appreciated as a good step in politics. Consolidating the same in the future election would be in the interest of all those who have to exercise their sovereign power once in five years or in 2084 B.S. or 2027 A.D.