A Sham Debate; Undercurrent of Anger, Deprivation & Despair Remains By Shashi P.B.B. Malla   The Nepali Congress General Secretary Bishwa Prakash Sharma has made the laudable proposal that no one should become the president of the republic more than once and the prime minister more than twice. In India and the United Kingdom, there are no term limits. In the United States, a person can only be president twice, but there are no term limits for justices of the Supreme Court. US Senators serve 6-year terms and Representatives serve 2-year terms but are eligible for re-election indefinitely. There are no term limits. In Nepal, because of the lack of term limits, a person can become prime minister again and again. There are serious disadvantages in this state of affairs – above all in the development and consolidation of democracy as such. Such a person who hogs the positions of power deprives a new generation from rising and making meaningful contributions both in the political parties and the executive office of state. If such a person was an outstanding personality and made major contributions to the country’s development, it would be a different matter. Unfortunately, this has not been the case in Nepal, nor in India under Narendra Modi. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was a towering personality who guided the Indian ship of state through thick and thin. In Germany, such exceptional and first-rate leaders long at the helm were Konrad Adenauer and Willy Brandt. As was to be expected, multiple former prime minister and Nepali Congress party president Sher Bahadur Deuba has rejected NC-General Secretary Bishwa Prakash Sharma’s proposal. Thus, the so-called leaders of the reigning political parties are determined to perpetuate the kleptocracy – by hook or by crook. Neither the current ruling PM K.P. Sharma Oli or later Deuba [or his wife Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba in his stead] will provide political stability, deliver better services and achieve more success. If we do believe such a tall tale, then we’re living in a fool’s paradise – and that is exactly where the Nepalese people find themselves! The intended constitutional amendment is just to consolidate the power of the two biggest parties, the NC and CPN-UML. In any case elections have become meaningless in Nepal. Oli insists Nepalese abhor violence, and Nepal cannot be compared to Sri Lanka or Bangladesh. But this is only superficial. The political equation is maybe different and the variables at play may be different, but the underlying discontent and disgust with the ruling dons and their hangers on is already simmering and just needs a spark to reach boiling point – in which case, the comparison with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh may become relevant! Just think of only a few flashpoints – lack of jobs for the youth, lack of opportunities and the exodus, galloping inflation, and the unresolved and blatantly continuing scams. Then we have the role of the Head of State. Is the President of the Republic impervious to the dismal state of the nation? Is the current incumbent just a mute spectator to the macabre Dance of the Dons and their self-serving “musical chairs” power play, or is he even enjoying the tamasha? All the more reason for the reinstatement of Constitutional Monarchy, whose supreme tenet was always the welfare and prosperity of the Nepalese people – unlike the reigning Dons whose guiding dictum was, is and will remain: “For Self, Party & Stooges”. The writer can be reached at: shashipbmalla@hotmail.com