Populism and Anarchism Hindering Ideological Progress : Shankhar Pokharel

Kathmandu. CPN (UML) General Secretary Shankar Pokharel has stated that the influence of 'populism' and 'anarchism' is increasing in today's society, and argued that both of these tendencies do not support ideological development and the future-oriented journey.

Speaking at a program to hand over the office to Niraj Acharya, the head of the CPN (UML) Publicity and Publication Department, General Secretary Pokharel commented that both populism and anarchism force society to focus only on immediate issues and attempt to keep it in the status quo.

He said, "Whatever wind is blowing in our society today, we are also being influenced by it. Two things have a massive impact on our society: populism and anarchism. Both of these things do not support ideology and the future-oriented journey, but rather prohibit them."

Pokharel claimed that populism and anarchism show a tendency to focus only on immediate issues and advocate for keeping society in the status quo.

He said, "Populism and anarchism focus themselves on contemporary issues and advocate the belief of keeping society in the status quo. These are the nurturers of the status quo. But they mislead society to such an extent that they give the impression that these are the solutions to all problems."

He commented on the ongoing political debate, mentioning that a narrative is being constructed that the old cannot deliver and opportunities must be given to the new.

Pokharel also mentioned that alternative politics cannot survive solely on the foundation of technology, and an ideological basis is necessary.

He said, "Alternative politics was built on the foundation of technology. But there is a question of whether it can survive in the long run. Therefore, society must now return, and be turned back, toward ideology. It may take time, but that is the path society walks on."