However, the country is getting a pre-monsoon in its weather radar with thunder and clouds in the sky, the political climate looks clear after an electoral outcome that provided an overwhelming majority to Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), a clear indication of the voters' mind toward change. Two seats short of securing a two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives is itself a historical event in the annals of electoral results after the first parliamentary votes in 2015 BS, when Nepali Congress obtained a two-thirds majority.
Despite having an electoral system supportive of a hung parliament, for the first time in 35 years, Nepali voters have broken the shackles of the voting pattern of being blind to an ideologically laden mindset. With the failures of socialism and capitalism, the ideologically guided system of governance was dead after the financial crisis of 2008. Contrary to the global political phenomenon, with the reinstatement of democracy in 1991, the Nepali mass was divided into two distinct camps: one led by the communist parties and the other by Nepali Congress. Such was the situation that each group treated the other as untouchables. There has been a sea change in 2008, after the removal of the monarchy, complemented by the proclamation of the constitution of Nepal in 2015, declaring the country as a federal republican democracy. In these 35 years, the electoral results of this year are the most surprising and thought-provoking. Questioning itself, what made the people change their minds and vote this time around? The simple answer to this question is that they got the alternative and reliable party, spirited by the whims of good governance led by youths and highly qualified folks.
There may be several factors that impact the electoral results. But, in my opinion, two major factors, mishandling of international relations, particularly with the neighbors, and bad governance infected by impunity, corruption, and nepotism, played the pivotal roles for the humiliating defeats of CPN (UML) and Nepali Congress. With the inclusion of the disputed areas, Limpiyadhura in the map of Nepal, India was not happy. Similarly, constant outreach and closeness with China, the Western powers were also not pleased with NCP (UML) led government. On the other hand, after signing the BRI, Nepal did not pursue the project implementation procedures that annoyed the Chinese, too.
Mishandling of international relations, particularly with the neighbors, and bad governance infected by impunity, corruption, and nepotism, played the pivotal roles for the humiliating defeats of CPN (UML) and Nepali Congress.
The election results have left many political activists in a state of deep mistrust. It is difficult for them to reconcile the fact that a new party, lacking any real organizational foundation, has won by such a landslide. Consequently, the parties that suffered heavy losses are grappling with loss aversion, reeling from an outcome that has left them deeply demoralized. They remained confident that their strong organizational base and large active membership would secure them a respectable size in the electoral win.
Until yesterday, the whole state mechanism was under their sphere, which they suddenly lost and are feeling the agony of power loss. On the other hand, the winners have taken over the most coveted seat of governance with the control over the state apparatus to rule for the next five years. This unexpected win may, if not consciously controlled, bring overjoy on to them and start enjoying overwhelming majority power toward singlehandedly trying to steer the nation with an iron fist, suppress the opposition on different pretexts, which would be devastating and politically damaging to the democratic credentials. Being a ruling party with the absolute majority in the House, coming out of the winner-takes-all propositions, should be open to a constructive dialogue and productive conversation with the opposition political parties in major policy decisions. It is the responsibility of the ruling party to build up the resilience capability, facilitating harmonious relations in the face of political divisions.
Dissatisfaction, disappointment, and disagreement need to be treated cautiously and prudently, which would bring positive results for the nation and people. At the same time, the people are also eagerly waiting to see a new phase of reformed governance that ensure transparency, and accountability. The culprits, who were involved in corruption charges, loots of the state resources and had misused and abused their power should be brought under the legal investigation, and be punished without any fear and favor.
Since not all days are Sundays, the circumstances would not remain the same all the time. It should be borne in mind that the opposition is a government-in-waiting. It is the delivery that counts, and people keep a close eye on it. Engage with the difference prudentially, not with hostility. People pay attention to the language, dealings, and postures of the leaders. The expression of acrimony, aggression, criticism, and contempt are feelings of resentment, and people listen attentively to it when their leader publicly comes out with their speech. Both the ruling and opposition need to refrain from annoying each other if they want a cultured political system of governance.
The digitalization of the government delivery system would be instrumental to a result-oriented practice for good governance.
We have listened to a lot of political jargon and lexicons to valorize and demonize their ilk according to their preferences, taste with likes and dislikes. Over time, leaders have stopped listening to even their own inner voices, not of empathy and accountability. The time has come to rewire our minds and correct toxic patterns of behavior.
The challenges ahead of us are how to navigate the derailed democratic system of governance and produce a result-oriented, value-based democracy. For this, we have to, including the political parties and people at large, transform their behavior, enhancing our consciousness level, so that the emotional-prone, impulsive mind is transformed into a self-transforming mind. The youths with creative ideas need space for their constructive engagement, supported and promoted by the state through financing. One promising area would be the reenvisioning of governance with the digital transformation, where youths have the potential to use their professionalism. The digitalization of the government delivery system would be instrumental to a result-oriented practice for good governance.
To meet the public's expectations, political parties and civic bodies must adopt a higher level of awareness. Moving forward, both the ruling and opposition sides must leave the past behind and learn to navigate new realities despite their differing ideologies and approaches to governance. The dead ideologies filled with political hatred and baseness are hard to bounce back again in the near future. The history is that once communism and socialism lose influence among their voters, they would not be able to rise again and regain their past glory. Therefore, we should learn to adapt and adjust to live in different circumstances and environments.
(Mr. Bartaula is a former Diplomatic Officer of the Government of Nepal.)
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