Besides being a politician, Pranaya SJB Rana is an academic as well as a practitioner of conflict resolution and peace. He served Nepali Army for seven years. He has around two decades of experience working in practical research and evaluation, organizational assessment and efficacy, social services, road safety, traffic management and public health backgrounds. He also holds a PhD in International Conflict Management from Kennesaw State University, Georgia, USA.
Pratik Ghimire of ApEx sat down with Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) leader Rana to talk about RSP’s political stances and his thoughts on youths and politics. Excerpts:
Why did RSP leave the government?
As soon as we won 20 seats in the lower house of the federal parliament, some people wanted us to be in opposition as they suggested that the existing parties have no good people and the RSP shouldn’t form a coalition with them. While some people wanted us in the government so that we could deliver. They were right too as they didn’t vote for us to be an opposition. As the people didn’t give a majority to any party, a coalition government was the only option. And having 20 seats, being the fourth largest party, it was our responsibility too to help form a government. We were emotionally guided to some extent. And in the by-polls, people have poured their love more strongly. They suggested we be in opposition and the party also thought that we can fight more effectively this way.
And hence we pulled out our participation and support from the government. It’s nothing like the recent rumors—that after the government opened the files of frauds and scams, RSP withdrew its support.
Where does the ideology of RSP lie? Center, right or left?
It’s not even been a year since the establishment of RSP. Our initial focus was to make RSP a delivery-based party. Soon, we went through a series of events: elections, government formation and by-polls, among others. We had no time to discuss such topics. But now, things have been settled down and we are already forming ad hoc committees in all provinces and local levels for a better party organization. With this, discussion and discourse have been started about our political ideology. We are actually in the process of shaping and sharpening our ideology.
Preparations have already started for our general convention. For building the party structure, we are moving ahead with a top-to-bottom approach, forming the ad hoc committees. After this, the convention will start with the bottom to top approach. There are advantages and disadvantages of leaning toward the right, left or remaining at the center. I personally prefer hybrids of right and left so that we can capture the very best from both. European countries have similar views which has helped them progress.
What’s your thought on provincial structure?
Again, there was a narrative that RSP is against federalism. But that’s not correct. We are not against provinces, but we are advocating for a better provincial structure. The current structure is so expensive, the state won’t be able to get with it for a long time. We, in the party, are discussing different provincial modalities. In my opinion, a province should have a directly-elected governor.
The governor should be accompanied with directly elected experts as commissioners, such as health commissioner, education commissioner and all. This will make our provinces as powerful and effective as local governments.
How’s RSP sustaining financially?
Many members of our party are working professionals. For instance, before this interview, I taught two classes in the morning. I am also a consultant. Because I am in politics, a full-time job is not feasible for me, hence I do freelance. This has helped me sustain my life and also helped me get involved in the party’s works.
Our party can’t provide us funds for campaigns, meetings and events. The party doesn’t invest in us, rather we invest in the party. We are in a mutually supportive system but most of the party workers and leaders are supporting themselves on their own. And the party aims to run its operation through funds collected from membership drives.
Does age matter in politics?
There is a narrative of young and old in trend, which, I think, is wrong. Many youths this time got engaged in politics for cosmetic activities. In Kathmandu-5 itself, many aspiring youths sat with me for political negotiations. Some came without any agenda but with ridiculous claims that they were surely going to win because of the number of their business customers. Some said they have historical legacy and in the previous election, they got a good vote. Some claimed to have a better financial situation than me, so they should contest the election instead of me.
For contesting parliamentary polls, experience and knowledge in policy making and research should be the criteria. It’s about qualification—not about age. Take the example of US Senator Bernard Sanders. He is 81 and still, he is highly engaged in policy research and advocacy. Therefore, his constituents, especially the youths can relax and enjoy their private life. We should establish a narrative of qualification for politicians, not age.
What do you suggest for aspiring politicians?
The first and most important thing is you must be independent and self-sufficient. Get some experience and follow a flexible-routine modality via expertise, consultancy and freelancing job. Then only you can manage your professional and political work. And lastly, after realizing your flexibility, knowledge, experience and expertise, decide which level of politics will you be able to fit in and can better deliver. With time, your political engagements will guide you. The present senior leaders had their own share of struggles. They were involved in revolutions. But we don’t have to do that. We are somehow privileged. Hence, we should focus on delivery-based politics backed by individual's qualification.
Many people say that they will learn when they get into a political post. But a political post is not a place for an internship. It’s not for trial and error but it’s for delivery, based on trial and error that you have already committed and learned. Even after having an experience of about two decades, I was still afraid to join politics. I was not sure if I gained enough knowledge and experience or not because, as I already said, this stage is not for any error.
Most of the independent youth contestants are nowhere to be seen post-election. That isn’t the type of politics young people should be engaged in; it sends a very wrong message. You need to be committed and disciplined. If I find any important issue, I research it and share my findings with my colleagues who are lawmakers. They then raise the issue in the parliament. So, although I lost the election, I continuously find my ways to contribute and so can anyone else.
