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By Shashi P.B.B. Malla

Theoretically, political parties link the state to political forces in society by giving organized expression to interests and making them effective politically.

The study of political parties covers a number of interrelated issues:

  • The goals or political ideology of a particular party
  • The social basis (or bases) of the party support
  • The way they mobilise support
  • The distribution of power within the party organization.

Parties need to mobilize the votes of non-members in elections, and this electoral necessity may constrain policies and change goals, an aspect of the electoral process that is central to the political theory of representation.

Political Parties in the Himalayan Republic

During this dark period, the ruling and main political parties – the Nepali Congress, the Unified Marxists-Leninists and the Maoists – caused havoc to the political system and its institutions.

There was repeatedly failed leadership, the erosion of credibility in public institutions and systemic problems, such as misgovernance and endemic corruption.

The Himalayan Republic was on the verge of becoming a failed state and the oligarchic/autocratic leaders of the main political parties were responsible.

The Gen Z rebellion was the outburst and outpouring of public frustration with what K.P. Sharma Oli, Sher Bahadur Deuba and Pushpa Kamal Dahal had made of the Himalayan Republic.

What the Interim Government Failed to Do

The interim government of Sushila Karki should have taken stern action against Oli, Deuba, Dahal and other top leaders responsible for the morass of the Himalayan Republic.

Pending further action, they should have been debarred from participating in the March general election.

It should also have initiated action against the perpetrators of the violence and anarchy who had infiltrated the Gen Z movement.

The government has also been quite silent about the role of the security forces before, during and after the Gen Z movement came to a close.

The interim government has only kicked the can down the road.

General Questions about Nepali Political Parties

In the forthcoming general election, it has been reported that of the 143 parties registered with the Election Commission, 114 will take part.

Why do so many people establish new parties?

It is possible that some people have a sense of their own capability and potential and think that they can influence events in the country.

Others are probably not that much educated and have not learnt any profession and conclude that politics as such – through the medium of founding a new party – a possible path to earning a living or even get rich quick by becoming a minister!

The Road Ahead

However, there are just too many political parties vying for votes.

This is just a waste of scarce resources, considering the electoral process in its entirety.

The Election Commission could, for example, in future demand that political parties need a deposit of NPR 50,000 and should be sponsored by another 100 people.

Anyone standing for election should have as a minimum a Bachelor’s degree in any subject, so that we would have at least educated lawmakers.

Anyone aspiring to be a minister should even have a Master’s degree.

Look at the pathetic state of the country now. The terrible state of education, health care and the economy in general will, at least, be recognized and confronted.

The writer can be reached at: shashimalla125@gmail.com