In Nepal, voters seek younger leaders who can ‘work for the country’
KATHMANDU: Nepal’s parliamentary elections being held on Sunday are the fourth since the Himalayan nation abolished a centuries-old monarchy and became a republic. Nepalese have seen little change since, with the same generation of leaders holding power through their control of the main political parties.
Many voters say they are tired of the same leaders retaining power and failing to deliver on promises to improve people’s lives.
Political instability has left Nepal with 13 different governments in the past 16 years. The frequent changes and squabbles among parties have been blamed for a slow economy.
“My preference will be for young leaders who will be able to be dedicated to work for the country,” business executive Hari Bhattarai, 40, said in the capital, Kathmandu.
Social media users are sharing a “no not again” campaign asking others not to return the same old leaders to parliament who would eventually be leading the government.
“The ‘no not again’ campaign did not come just like that. All good changes in the world have been done by the younger leaders,” said Yagya Mani Neupane, a lawyer. “The people who made changes in the 1990 democracy movement when they were younger are still leading the country but have made little difference in the country now.”
Nepal’s current Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, 76, has been in the position five times. Both prominent leaders of the communist parties, Pushpa
Kamal Dahal, 67, and Khadga Prasad Oli, 70, have been prime minister twice each.
Meanwhile, Nepal’s population is young, with 49% age 24 or under. Analysts said many voters are seeking fresh leadership and though changes are being seen, it was but unlikely in the next elected government.
“They (voters) want to change the old guards who have been failed to ensure good governance, rule of law in this country and justice,” said Bhojraj Pokharel, an analyst who was also the country’s former chief election commissioner.
The desire for change in political leadership was evident in April when a moderately known rap musician was elected Kathmandu mayor. Balen Shah, who is not affiliated with any political party, won a comfortable majority of votes while defeating wellknown politicians.
Pokharel said Sunday’s election is unlikely to bring many young leaders to parliament because most of the candidates fielded by political parties are from the older generation.
“For the new generation to take over the government, we will have to wait until the next election,” he said.
One of the most prominent candidates in the younger generation is Gagan Thapa of the ruling Nepali Congress party. He has announced that after the election he will contest within the party against Deuba to be the candidate for the next PM.
“My preparation is for contesting as the prime minster candidate and I am making my public position with that goal,” Thapa said. “Just not me, I am appealing to all the other candidates in the party who win the election to be part of the change.”