Election, BRI and Oli’s China visit

Dec 5, 8 am

Tinkune

When I entered the tea shop at 7:15 am, a man in his fifties was sharing his thoughts on the recent local body by-elections. He said the candidate of the Nepali Congress (NC), Devendra Pathak, lost in Kathmandu-16, despite campaigning by top party leaders like Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma. Candidate of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Rojina Shrestha, was elected from Kathmandu-16. The man, however, was delighted about NC’s victory in Kirtipur Municipality.

In one corner of the tea shop, a man, who happened to be a former government undersecretary, seemed impatient at the conversation that painted NC in a favorable light. Turning to me, he said, “Election results don’t reflect a party’s national popularity. Local factions and dynamics play a significant role in shaping outcomes.”

The first gentleman was continuing this time about the Maoist Center’s historical dominance in Kirtipur since the insurgency era. “Many Maoist leaders sought refuge there,” he explained, emphasizing how caste and community ties continue to shape voting patterns.

The focus then shifted to RSP, with one participant arguing that its urban popularity endures. “Urban voters are less ideological,” he said. “They’re disillusioned with NC and UML. This dissatisfaction dates back to the Panchayat era and has lingered.”

The NC sympathizer acknowledged internal challenges, especially in candidate selection. “If the party selects the right candidates, it could become the largest political force in the next election,” he asserted. After some thought, he backed away from his statement, and suggested that UML’s robust grassroots organization could secure it the top spot instead.

Someone asked about voter turnout, estimated at around 60 percent. The group attributed the decline to three factors: frustration with political stagnation, the exodus of youth abroad, and apathy among younger voters, many of whom haven’t registered. I shared a related insight from my college class earlier in the week: out of 25 students, only four were registered voters, and just one had cast a ballot in the last election. A participant grimly predicted even lower turnout in 2027 as more youth leave the country.

The discussion broadened to Nepal’s leadership crisis. “Our leaders don’t read,” one participant lamented. “They lack vision and fail to devise meaningful reforms.” Another added, “Politicians surround themselves with opportunistic cadres, not experts who can offer genuine solutions.”

Corruption was another hot topic. “Chaos and corruption are rampant,” someone said. “Accountability is non-existent. Those involved must face penalties.”

As the debate on NC and UML continued, a man who worked for a government ministry weighed in with his argument. He said business people and contractors were taking over the NC, sidelining honest and intellectual individuals. “Look at the lawmakers from districts around the Kathmandu Valley—Kavre, Sindhupalchok, Dhading, most of them are contractors consolidating their influence,” he said. “We can’t expect anything positive from such leaders.”

The first gentleman who had been steering much of the earlier discussion tried to shift gears. “Politics aside, I focus on my health,” he said, his voice tinged with pride. While he didn’t disclose his age, he hinted at his good health compared to his peers. “Take care of your body. Avoid diabetes, hypertension, and aim for 80 years. Every Nepali should strive for a healthy life,” he advised.

His effort went in vain, as the conversation led to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s recent China visit and the murky agreements on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). A participant raised concerns over the term “aid financing,” questioning whether it referred to a loan or a grant. A man reading a newspaper cited former Finance Secretary Rameshwar Khanal, who described it as a concessional loan. Another voice interjected, claiming it was merely political jargon meant to confuse the public.

As I left the tea shop, I was pondering the complexity of our socio-political landscape.