Kathmandu: President of the Nepali Congress (NC) Sher Bahadur Deuba has stated that the federal democratic republic system, characterized by inclusive representation from all sections, is without alternative. In his address at an interaction programme titled ‘Change Brought Out to the Status by the System,’ organized to mark the 30th anniversary and 27th general assembly of the Democratic Thought Society, Deuba committed to advancing the system through collaboration and coordination while addressing its weaknesses.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Deuba, who is also a former Prime Minister, observed that a coalition government currently exists between the first and second largest parties in parliament, as no single party gained a majority due to the country’s inclusive proportional electoral system. He underscored the importance of addressing the current government’s shortcomings and emphasized the need to prioritize people-centered development.
Deuba noted the progress made since the restoration of democracy and the establishment of a government led by Girija Prasad Koirala in 2048 BS, particularly in sectors such as roads, irrigation, health, and drinking water. He also mentioned that the government has organized the Sagarmatha Sambaad (Everest Dialogue) to address the impacts of global warming on vital resources like drinking water and mountains.
NC leader Dr. Shekhar Koirala highlighted the urgency of studying the nature of remittances entering the country. He urged the government to take seriously Nepal’s presence on the Financial Task Force’s grey list and suggested that a delay in appointing the Governor of the Nepal Rastra Bank might be linked to the need for research into remittance issues. Koirala also called for policies to combat bad governance, impunity, and rising unemployment, noting that employment could be bolstered through the promotion of religious and spiritual tourism.
Congress leader Arjun Nara Singh KC stressed the necessity of the rule of law in democracy, referencing statistics from the World Justice Project that indicate a concerning state of governance in Nepal. Former Minister Dr. Suresh Malla emphasized the role of the Democratic Thought Society in advocating for truth, while former President Harihar Dahal criticized political practices under Deuba’s previous tenure as Prime Minister.
Dr. Kedar Nara Singh KC, another former President, reiterated the society’s commitment to fostering democratic values. Senior journalist Purushottam Dahal argued against prolonged political leadership by the same individuals. Society President Kulchandra Wagle and other members, including Senior Vice President Iswariraj Laudari and General Secretary Basudev Bhattarai, highlighted the society’s efforts since its establishment in 1995 to promote the institutional development of democracy.