By Deepak Joshi Pokhrel
There is a saying in Nepali that goes, “Ma pitey jasto garchu, ta roye jasto gar.” Its literal translation is, “You pretend to cry, and I pretend to beat you.” This time-tested adage appears to hold true in the Nepalese political context. The reason is that political parties—both opposition and ruling—work in collusion to form governments and dismantle them soon afterwards, blaming each other for their failure. This has been their modus operandi.
After years of struggle to end the partyless Panchayat system, multiparty democracy was restored in 1990. The end of the monarchy was seen as the beginning of a new era of political development. It was also viewed as the foundation for scripting a new chapter in which people would be able to elect their representatives to govern them. In simple terms, there was euphoria among the people. But this jubilation was very short-lived. The end of the monarchy laid the ground for political parties to engage in unethical practices for their personal benefit, triggering resentment among the people.
Since 1990, Nepal has been governed by different political parties—NC, UML and Maoist. Three individuals—KP Oli, Prachanda and Deuba—played a game of musical chairs, taking turns to lead the government. What mattered to them was the pursuit and retention of power. Democratic institutions, values and doctrines were manipulated and, at times, compromised to serve political interests and ensure their continued hold on power. In that sense, they were playing a game of “You pretend to cry, and I pretend to beat you”—a political charade in which they continue to fool the people in the name of politics.
Whether through coalition governments or single-party governments, nepotism and favouritism have characterised governance. A stark example is government officials’ visits to foreign countries for official purposes. During such visits, the PM or another minister is accompanied by his mother-in-law, girlfriend, distant relatives and individuals who succeeded in greasing the minister’s palms just a few days before the journey. But who cares? The expenses of such visits are ultimately borne by citizens who are already struggling under an economic burden.
This scribe is not against members of such delegations. My submission is: what is the point if the members cannot articulate the challenges and problems facing the country? What is the use of such delegations if their members do not have the guts to face press conferences and respond to questions with knowledge, confidence and clarity?
Over the years, Nepal has witnessed several natural calamities, including floods, landslides and ice avalanches. These tragedies have killed thousands and displaced many more. But sadly, the government’s post-disaster response has been very dismal. Experience from the past shows that, in the aftermath of a tragedy, ministers charter helicopters and visit affected areas to take aerial stock. They neither join search-and-rescue teams nor take strong initiatives to help survivors. To avoid backlash and criticism, they address the nation through national television, expressing condolences. This approach has been the prevailing practice of our governments and ministers.
Unlike in the past, the Home Minister himself springs into action and joins the search-and-rescue effort. He is seen at ground zero with half of his body submerged in mud—something rarely seen in the Nepalese political spectrum. While the incumbent Home Minister was leaving no stone unturned to rescue survivors, former Home Minister Bhim Rawal criticised Balen’s attire during his visit to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York. In his words, Balen was ill-dressed and did not match the dignity of such a prestigious occasion.
However, Balen was seen wearing full Nepali attire while addressing the gathering. Not only did he wear Nepali dress, but he also ended his remarks by saying, “May Pashupatinath bless everyone, and may the world follow the path shown by Lord Buddha,” in Nepali. This earned him accolades.
What is very surprising is the fact that the criticism came from a person—Bhim Rawal—who himself was expelled from his party for misconduct and for breaching the party’s norms and values. What is also very strange is that Bhim Rawal has a tarnished image within the party and has been dragged into many controversies. It seems that Bhim Rawal has forgotten his controversial past. Someone needs to tell him that he should engage in introspection and self-reflection before making such statements.
Through this piece, this pen-pusher is neither advocating nor promoting the Balen-led government. Likewise, this scribe is not spitting venom against the CPN-UML or any other political party. However, we should be able to acknowledge that the members of the present Cabinet fare better than their predecessors. They have substantial academic backgrounds, with many holding doctoral, medical and engineering degrees. Their command of the English language—which is cardinal when articulating our plight and grievances to the international community—is truly commendable.
The country was ruled by three major parties—NC, CPN-UML and the Maoists—after the restoration of democracy in 1990. But sadly, these parties never tried to address the day-to-day struggles of the people. Their intention was to remain in power, no matter how, creating political chaos. This situation led to greater disenchantment among the people. One consequence of this frustration was the rise of alternative forces, including the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP).
The RSP government, under the leadership of Balen, came to power just six months ago. The people entrusted it with the task of cleaning up the chaos created by the three major parties. But it is a little unrealistic to expect a miracle within six months of its formation. The country is in a mess—socially, economically and politically—as a result of the musical game played by three individuals: Prachanda, Sher Bahadur Deuba and KP Oli. The present government needs time to wipe out all these anomalies. What we need is patience and support to make the country better for future generations.
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