Congress President Thapa Stresses Protecting Nepal’s Democracy from Populism

Kathmandu: Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa has emphasized the need to safeguard Nepal’s democracy from the attacks of populism. Speaking at an interaction program organized by the Intellectual Professionals Campaign on Wednesday, he stated that even mature democracies today have fallen prey to populism, and Nepal must also be protected from such threats.

President Thapa raised the question of whether Nepal can withstand the burden if populism, brought in through periodic elections, carries authority. He stressed the need to find an answer to this.

He said, “Even a fully mature democracy today has fallen victim to populism. It comes like a wave. Can we protect Nepal’s democracy from this attack of populism? Our democracy is not yet that mature. Our economy faces its own challenges. 

In places where institutions are strong, populism may collapse within five to six months, but in the absence of strong institutions, if populism arrives carrying authority through periodic elections, can we bear its burden? This is the question before us, and we must seek the answer.”

He also criticized coalition politics for hijacking the public’s right to choose, adding that Nepali Congress, by contesting elections independently, has tried, even if slightly, to clean up the system.
He stated, “The space for democracy has been hijacked. 

Although it may seem ordinary, coalition politics had hijacked the right of the people to select. Congress, by contesting in 165 constituencies with its candidates regardless of victory or defeat, has made an effort, even if small, to clean up the mess.”