A way forward for newly-emerged political parties

                                        Photo: The Kathmandu Post

Emergence of new political parties, trouncing the old, big and established ones, was perhaps the biggest story of 2022 major elections. Three parties—the Rastriya Swatantra Party, the Janamat Party and the Nagarik Unmukti Party—entered the Parliament last year in their first foray into the parliamentary politics, grabbing 20, six, and four seats, respectively. Later in the bypolls held in April this year in three constituencies, two seats were won by Rastriya Swatantra Party, defeating the political heavyweights of traditional parties. 

So it is not an overstatement to say that the November elections hinted at a wind of change blowing. However, one year down the line, the newly-emerged political parties have been struggling to make an impact both in the Parliament and (when they got a chance) as a part of the government. The days ahead are certainly going to be more challenging for them, if they are aiming to better their electoral prospects, improve the governance and bring in the required changes in the status quo. 

It seems that the new parties are in dilemma about picking one among two ways---remain in opposition, raise voice against the wrongdoings strongly, and vocally advocate in the crucial matters concerned with public or be ruling parties joining the government, deliver, work, put their promises into action and win hearts of the public. They also don't have a clear ideological stance, which many experts argue as a binding factor, required to strengthen a political party. 

But my opinion differs slightly. The newly-emerged political parties should definitely have clear ideologies, but their focus should be more on practicality and pragmatic politics. And, despite being in and out of the government, remaining confused and stuck in between, they should first finalise their clear political roadmap. What will they do until the next elections? And even after that? 

The big traditional parties have been using the ideological factor so far merely to appeal the voters emotionally, or to fool them if I have to say in a more straightforward manner. Neither their actions nor their modus operandi justifies the political ideologies. They have already derailed from the track a long way back. Is CPN-UML justifying communism? Is Nepali Congress justifying liberalism and free market? Definitely not. 

That's why, the new parties must learn a clear lesson and draw a clear line that they will just clarify their ideologies because ideologies are definitely the foundation of politics, but such ideologies must be blended with more practical ideas such as good governance, core issues, implementation of federalism, the functioning of Parliament and the serious issues such as corruption. They must have practical and simple ideas rather than jargons and flowery statemtents which only a handful of intellects comprehend. 

Another important step for the three new parties now is that they should remain a strong opposition. They should be the watchdog of the law-making process and also carefully watch the government's actions. They should play a proactive role, not the reactive one. They should study the bills thorougly and advocate for the right approach and try to correct the course if needed. They should bring in the public issues, the problems of the grassroots to the Parliament. And, in the meantime, they should also reach the door-to-door of the public to make inroads across the country. 

Interestingly, only one year has passed since the last major elections, but all the political parties (traditional and new) have already started their preparations for the upcoming major elections and local polls. They have announced 'Mission 084'---the traditional parties in a bid to regain the stronghold, since they saw a drop in the vote share, and the new parties to expand and build their organisations and increase the number of voters. 

In these election preparation, one thing is common. The new-parties have emerged by cashing in on the youth sentiments and their frustration towards the traditional parties. Realising that a new generation of voters is definitely going to play a crucial role in shaping the next elections, even the traditional parties have announced youth-centric programmes, to grab the youth votes, to show that they are also prioritising the youths---the future. 

Thus the new parties should do more now to boost youth participation, if they have to excel. Youths are volatile voters. The odds of vote swing among youths is high. They can easily be persuaded and they also easily grow hatred and frustration. Thus, the new political parties, should do more to enhance youth participation, especially the supporters of the traditional parties. They can engage youths in research required to find out the core issues and problems, so that necessary policies and laws can be made, youths can be made active to warn against the wrongdoings in the governance system and most importantly, youths can convince everyone of their family members. 

Youths now want action. Youths now want development. Youths now want proper facilities. Youths now want economic growth of the country. They have been frustrated by the big talks. It is a high time to act. So, the new political parties must act. Otherwise, it will be too late, because a wind of change is blowing reversely too, as the voices for reestablishing the monarchy is being echoed across the country.