http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=91826
Federalize the parties 6 9 4 0 1
Federalism has dominated Nepal’s political discourse in the recent times. One of the main reasons Constitution could not be promulgated is because of differences among the political parties on the specifics of federalism. Even though the Interim Constitution stipulates Nepal as a federal democratic republic, political parties have not been able to agree on its implementation modality. There are sharp divisions mainly on demarcation of federal units as well as on naming them.
One interesting part is that even though there have been a series of discussions on federalism in Nepal, there has been no discussion on how political parties would be restructured in a federal set up. This is crucial for the success of the restructuring of the state to the federal set up in Nepal.
It may be important first to discuss why federalization of political parties is important. Since 250 years, Nepal has been in the unitary set up. This is cited as the major reason for continued under-development of the country as well as other related problems. Therefore, people were compelled to revolt against autocratic feudal model. If the structures of political parties remain unitary while the state structures are federalized then there will be many contradictions.
The first important step is that mindset of political parties need to be federalized. It is because political parties have a huge impact on the society. Therefore, there has to be a change in the leaders’ consciousness before political parties are federalized. It is a great opportunity for the leaders who have championed federalization of the country to first federalize their party organization. Federalization of the country cannot be successful without federalization of party structures.
When we talk about federalism, it is first and foremost devolution of power, essentially devolving centrally concentrated power to the local level. Even though right now the whole discourse on federalism is centered on name and number of federal units, the most essential part of federalism is devolution of power. That’s why the way state structure should devolve power when going for a federal system and political parties should also devolve power in the same spirit. If political parties remain unitary when the state is restructured to a federal set up then federalism cannot be fully implemented. Most importantly, power should be devolved to the grassroots so as to advance interests of people at the local level.
When we talk about the federalization of the country, the key aspect is about managing diversities. The federal structure should be such that they should facilitate management of diversities. Society becomes harmonious when diversities are managed well. Diversities are to be recognized and identities respected for social harmony. This will also inculcate a feeling of mutual respect and understanding among all.
Everyone is seeking their rights. But no one is ready to recognize others’ rights. No one is ready to hand the power they are enjoying over to others. No one is ready to cut down their own privileges. This is a general human tendency and Nepali society and leaders of Nepal are not exceptions. Therefore successful implementation of federal structure is quite challenging.
All political parties have unitary set up. Across all political parties, leaders at the central level give instructions and issue circular to local units and they act accordingly. Even if these decisions are unfair or impractical they need to be revised by the center itself; local branches have no say in this. If any local branch violates this practice there will be negative repercussions for them. Local level branches of political parties are not autonomous. Decisions cannot be changed from the local level.
Federalism is going to be institutionalized by the new constitution despite opposition by the regressive forces. We cannot miss this opportunity. We have been able to achieve federalism through a lot of hard work so we have to take it seriously. We have to ensure its success. However, we have to first convince people that federalism is not a solution of all problems. We have to change our unitary mindset and we have to change our party structure to make it compatible with changing federal set up of the country. If we fail to do so, anti-federalists’ argument that federal set up is unsuitable for Nepal would prove right.
The author is a senior UCPN (Maoist) leader - See more at: http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=91826#sthash.QhNheStY.nMwSQNAh.dpuf
Federalize the parties 6 9 4 0 1
KHIMLAL DEVKOTA
One interesting part is that even though there have been a series of discussions on federalism in Nepal, there has been no discussion on how political parties would be restructured in a federal set up. This is crucial for the success of the restructuring of the state to the federal set up in Nepal.
It may be important first to discuss why federalization of political parties is important. Since 250 years, Nepal has been in the unitary set up. This is cited as the major reason for continued under-development of the country as well as other related problems. Therefore, people were compelled to revolt against autocratic feudal model. If the structures of political parties remain unitary while the state structures are federalized then there will be many contradictions.
The first important step is that mindset of political parties need to be federalized. It is because political parties have a huge impact on the society. Therefore, there has to be a change in the leaders’ consciousness before political parties are federalized. It is a great opportunity for the leaders who have championed federalization of the country to first federalize their party organization. Federalization of the country cannot be successful without federalization of party structures.
When we talk about federalism, it is first and foremost devolution of power, essentially devolving centrally concentrated power to the local level. Even though right now the whole discourse on federalism is centered on name and number of federal units, the most essential part of federalism is devolution of power. That’s why the way state structure should devolve power when going for a federal system and political parties should also devolve power in the same spirit. If political parties remain unitary when the state is restructured to a federal set up then federalism cannot be fully implemented. Most importantly, power should be devolved to the grassroots so as to advance interests of people at the local level.
When we talk about the federalization of the country, the key aspect is about managing diversities. The federal structure should be such that they should facilitate management of diversities. Society becomes harmonious when diversities are managed well. Diversities are to be recognized and identities respected for social harmony. This will also inculcate a feeling of mutual respect and understanding among all.
Everyone is seeking their rights. But no one is ready to recognize others’ rights. No one is ready to hand the power they are enjoying over to others. No one is ready to cut down their own privileges. This is a general human tendency and Nepali society and leaders of Nepal are not exceptions. Therefore successful implementation of federal structure is quite challenging.
All political parties have unitary set up. Across all political parties, leaders at the central level give instructions and issue circular to local units and they act accordingly. Even if these decisions are unfair or impractical they need to be revised by the center itself; local branches have no say in this. If any local branch violates this practice there will be negative repercussions for them. Local level branches of political parties are not autonomous. Decisions cannot be changed from the local level.
Federalism is going to be institutionalized by the new constitution despite opposition by the regressive forces. We cannot miss this opportunity. We have been able to achieve federalism through a lot of hard work so we have to take it seriously. We have to ensure its success. However, we have to first convince people that federalism is not a solution of all problems. We have to change our unitary mindset and we have to change our party structure to make it compatible with changing federal set up of the country. If we fail to do so, anti-federalists’ argument that federal set up is unsuitable for Nepal would prove right.
The author is a senior UCPN (Maoist) leader - See more at: http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=91826#sthash.QhNheStY.nMwSQNAh.dpuf
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