Following the 1990 People’s Movement, Nepal transitioned to democracy. The political parties that once fought for democracy are now prominent in mainstream politics. However, these parties, which were once champions of democracy, are now frequently embroiled in controversy on various issues.
According to Sacheta Pyakurel, Director of the IIDS Centre for Governance, this can largely be attributed to the inherent challenges in reconciling politics with democracy. “In a democracy, everyone is equal. However, many countries worldwide have failed to uphold economic equality, and Nepal, largely influenced by a patriarchal mindset, is no exception,” says Pyakurel. Pyakurel made these remarks during the 11th edition of the Nepal Literature Festival in Lakeside, Pokhara.
The session, sponsored by the National Democratic Institute and moderated by journalist Kamal Dev Bhattarai, focused on the internal democracy within political parties. The speakers included Min Bahadur Biswakarma of the Nepali Congress, Madhav Sapkota of CPN Maoist (Centre), and Padam Giri of CPN UML. During the session, Sapkota of the CPN Maoist (Centre) noted that although communist parties worldwide advocate for democracy, there is a need for further discussion on this matter in Nepal. Congress leader Biswakarma emphasized that democracy is intertwined with the right to participate, think, express, vote, and make decisions. He asserted that his party sets an example for Nepal in terms of its internal democratic system. “In our party, we consult and discuss with every concerned person before making a decision,” said Biswakarma.
“Some discussions continue for over a month.” He claimed that his party has remained democratic since its inception. According to Pyakurel, although all political parties in Nepal are on the right track democratically, they lag behind in terms of gender and caste representation. “The participation of women in parliament is low,” says Pyakurel. “Many qualified women have been deprived of these opportunities.”
