Udaya Manandhar, Nepal

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While Nepal has seen the major breakthrough in political system moving up to restoring multiparty system and federalism, the tendency of senior political leaders’ uncanny penchant to remain on top remained same.

As a result the country and major political parties are continued to be ruled by the same set of few selected leaders who have completely failed to give the impression that the change in political system is mean to bring prosperity and development in the nation.

Except fewer exceptions, the tradition and culture of silence among the members of political parties contributed the old leaders to remain unchallenged and always tried to be in the peak of power and it’s likely to be continued.

The unprecedented result of recent local election for Kathmandu and Dharan have contributed in fueling the realization of the general public frustration towards the major political parties who could never pick up the pace to move up in meeting public expectations rather fully engaged either in their own internal power politics or finding ways to hang in government.

Moreover, the entrance of Rabi Lamichane in politics and overwhelming mass seen with him have made sleepless to the political parties and their leaders.

The general discussion and curiosity growing up now if it’s old leaders who are preventing the new faces from getting elected to the leadership or is that the young do not have confidence that they would not have necessary votes to get elected?

However, the interest of the Nepalese is becoming obvious that they are tired of trying the same old faces who have not been able to put up the nation in the right track.

It may be worthwhile to look at again few facts and figure related to Nepal’s demography and especially considering upcoming provincial and national elections.

20.8% of the total population of Nepal falls in the age group 16-25 years while 40.

68 % are aged between 16 and 40. Over 59% is aged 15-64 years as per 2011’s national census.

Only 5% of the population is above 65 years of age. (Kathmandu post.com. August 24, 2021).

Clearly, the composition of age group of Nepal’s population also demands opening up opportunities for young generation and eventually bridge their distant dream to lead the party and or/ the nation. The need to increase participation of young generation in power sharing is not limited for Nepal rather it’s a common concern worldwide.

Globally, less than 2% of Member of Parliament around the world is below the age of 30 where as 30% of the world population is below that age group.

One of the options being discussed now in Nepal is considering two-term cap for leaders; both for leading the party and the government is getting due attention and more and more people are pushing up this to be applied.

The provision of two-term cap similar to the president of Nepal will pave the ways for others if made functional within the party and government.

Along with two-term cap, there is call for drive to promote No vote to 70 years and above aged leaders who are planning to contest and continue to lead the country again and again. The general public seems to be more optimistic towards the capable new faces with the recent couple of announcement made by few known public figures who have clean images and believed to be the promoters of good governance.

The movement of bringing up talented youth and new faces within the political parties and outside is coming up spontaneously and needs to be supported to go as a campaign at the national level.

Otherwise, it would be pretty pathetic young generation of politicians if they are simply waiting for the other leaders to die off so that they can take over their place.

While the matter of two-term cap may take longer time to decide, there is ample opportunity for general public if they themselves want break through by using their ballets rejecting old, tried and failure faces and supporting capable and new faces to lead their future.

In the context of upcoming provincial and national elections, the ball is in the court of common people to decide; EITHER TO BE RULED BY DEAD WOODS OR MUST START CULLING THEM?

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