EDITORIAL
The nation is trying to get a new President. Political leaders are trying to get a comfortable president. UML leaders are claiming a president from their own party citing the agreement between the UML and the Maoist Center during the constitution of the present coalition government. The Maoist Center, which is leading the government, is taking a stance for a consensus candidate for the post of president. The Nepali Congress believes that the party will get the presidential post with the support of the Maoist Center. Foreign powers are also playing games for finding a president comfortable for them.
The presidential post is a ceremonial position but the ceremonial president also can play key roles by taking benefit from the existing holes in the constitution. The previous president Dr Rambaran Yadav had violated the ceremonial role by disobeying the government’s decision for changing the Nepal Army chief. Outgoing President Bidya Devi Bhandari also neglected the implementation of some government decisions — including keeping pending the citizenship amendment bill passed by the House of Representatives. When President Bhandari kept pending the citizenship amendment bill, a large section of the patriotic force supported the President’s move, although, it was unconstitutional. We all know that there are plenty of holes in the constitution as it was drafted by those who were naive about a democratic constitution. Otherwise, they could accept the 1990 constitution regarded as the best constitution in the globe. Be that as it may, the present constitution is unfamiliar with the Nepali tradition.
Presently, the country is passing through a critical economic phase. The fact is that the government has failed to meet the revenue target for managing the increased expenditure after the promulgation of the new but expensive political structure under loktantra. The president and vice president are enjoying many facilities including an attractive amount of salary. After their retirement also, they enjoy retirement allowances including medical expenses. If we elect a new president and also a new vice president, after some decades, the government should manage a hefty amount for their retirement allowances. Already, it has become a “white elephant” for a nation like Nepal.
Understandably, until today, the political parties are unable to give a name for the new president and we know that those foreign powers are covertly playing for a president comfortable for them. Surely, a president elected under the recommendation of a foreign power will serve foreign interests rather than the interests of the country and the people. Until today, we have been confirmed that at least the kings didn’t compromise on foreigners’ interests. In this regard, an institution of monarchy is far better and economically affordable for a poor country like Nepal. If we want the survival and existence of a sovereign and independent Nepal, restoration of the institution of monarchy is obvious.
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