PM’s remark undiplomatic
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s remark that entrepreneur Sardar Pritam Singh had visited New Delhi repeatedly to make him PM is indeed baffling. How can a prime minister speak so irresponsibly, that too in a public forum, without thinking of the consequences? The president, prime minister and ministers are the guardians of this country.
They are the representatives of the Nepalis across the globe. They should think twice before speaking, especially in public forums. Shallow remarks like these go against the very tenets of diplomacy. Such acts will impact their credibility, not only among the Nepalis but also in the international community. Naturally, the main opposition CPN-UML is asking for the Prime Minister’s resignation amid this controversy. But such controversies should not come in the way of ongoing probes into corruption scandals.
I think Nepali politicians can learn lessons from this episode. They should first learn the art of speaking.
The author is former Nepali ambassador to India
Time for NOTA
The demand for inclusion of the reject all option—None of the Above (NOTA)—in the ballot paper seems to be at its peak at present. Voices for the NOTA option were getting louder even during my tenure as Chief Election Commissioner, in the wake of the Supreme Court’s 2014 ruling to include NOTA in the ballot paper.
The government making no decision on this issue meant the Election Commission could do nothing. After all, all it can do is implement government decisions. In democracy, people should have the right to choose and even reject political parties. Countries like India, Spain, Bangladesh and Pakistan have implemented NOTA.
Our democracy is getting mature and I think it’s time to go for NOTA. The EC and the parties should educate people on technical complications before implementing NOTA. The parties shouldn’t fear NOTA because I don’t think it will impact their respective vote banks.
The author is former chief election commissioner
