This year, the Nepali elections have witnessed an unprecedented struggle. Why is there hype of so many independent candidates and the growing dissatisfaction with the traditional parties? Can be a subject of further discussion. Whether it is direct or proportional, both time and discussion of “Ghanti” is high. It must be because of fear of Ravi Lamichhane from Rastriya Swatantra Party, Prachanda was forced and determined to cross Narayani and succeeded in entering the House of Representative again after winning with an all-party coalition effort. Even the supremo of Nepal’s most famous and biggest parliamentary party at one time started looking for alternatives. Ravi finally won, at-least Prachanda saved his honor.
This time, “Ghanti” came as a muse of alternative politics rather than being a party. There may be plenty of reasons for the uprise of Rastriya Swatantra Party leaving behind parties that were leading decades of Nepalese politics. Parties have definitely lost trust of general public. “Ghanti” has been a ray of hope after old parties have surpassed all limits on irregularities and corruption. Alarming bells have started ringing in all vote banks of all parties.If candidates of “Ghanti”, in 5 years come and show what they have promised, “Ghanti”, will take a clean swipe next time, there is no doubt about it. People have started looking for an alternative. Except for the limited leaders of the old parties, for majority of old candidates, the votes have a small margin.
Independent candidate Sagar Dhakal went to the stronghold of Deuba and shook the stronghold in just 4 months. What does 13000 votes to him in Deuba’s stronghold mean? Isn’t it high time for old parties to correct themselves? Learn to self-criticize? Nepal may be the first country in the world where the trust towards political parties has decreased in this practice of democracy. The hatred towards the parties was increasing which was even more worsened with the alliance. If Baburam’s daughter Manushi had also stood up as an independent candidate without waving the party’s flag would the loss have been less shameful? In a situation where Rabindra Mishra almost surpassed Prakashman Singh, Prakashman was only able to raise his head only with some old votes based on Ganeshman’s legacy. Otherwise things would have been different there. Elections will come again and definately the results will be different.
“Ghanti’s” time has come, hopefully “Ghanti” will learn from the old parties.
