Mahesh Basnet Critiques 'Social Media Farming' and Governance Failures

Kathmandu. Mahesh Basnet, Secretary of the CPN-UML and House of Representatives candidate for Bhaktapur Constituency No. 2, has stated that corruption has flourished and good governance has failed to take root in the country due to political instability.

Speaking at a program in Bhaktapur organized to release the election commitments of UML candidates, he mentioned that when parties are weak and divided, no single party can secure a majority, creating a situation where political stability cannot be maintained.

He said, "When parties are weak and divided, and no single party can achieve a majority, stability cannot be maintained in politics. Within unstable politics, corruption flourishes, good governance cannot be established, and various aberrations and anomalies emerge. This has created a sense of despair among the people. Furthermore, the recent misuse of social media and the rise of activities like 'social media farming' and 'news farming' have only added to this despair. It has acted like pouring ghee on a burning fire."

He stated that unstable politics has encouraged corruption, weakened governance, and given birth to various distortions. According to him, this is why public disillusionment is increasing. Noting the recent rise in the misuse of social media, he claimed that activities such as "social media farming" and "news farming" have further intensified the people's frustration.

Basnet noted that the election is taking place under these circumstances and that all parties are participating. He commented that following the events of Bhadra 23 and 24, the entire society appears to be terrified, comparing it to a child who has lost its wits from fear.

Mentioning that the CPN-UML is a powerful party, he said the party is playing a strong role in the elections to stand firmly in parliament.

He said, "The election is being held in such a situation, and parties are participating. After the incidents of Bhadra 23 and 24, our entire society looks like a terrified child. CPN-UML is a strong party, and we are playing a powerful role in the election to stand strong in the parliament."