Full Cooperation A Must

PRIME MINISTER Girija Prasad Koirala said the other day that cooperation and collective efforts from people of all walks of life is essential to strengthen democracy in the country. Addressing a talk programme organised in Kathmandu to mark the 22nd anniversary day of late communist leader Pushpa Lal Shrestha, Prime Minister Koirala said that democracy does not come spontaneously but it is a process that can be achieved only through continuous efforts and contribution of the people. Democracy is the people’s polity that treats every citizen equally and provides equal opportunities to them in every sector. Thus, it is the common duty of all people to safeguard and strengthen democracy in order to protect the people’s rights and ensure the country’s sustainable development. Consolidation of democracy is in the interest of all people and the nation. As such, all citizens and political parties need to make equal contribution from their respective field for the consolidation of democracy and people’s rights. It is more so in Nepal at present because our democracy is still in the process of evolution and hence it needs to be continuous nurtured through meaningful and beneficial inputs from all. Democracy was established only ten years ago with the immense sacrifice, struggle and contribution from the people and leaders of different political parties. Though our democratic polity has yet to gain maturity, it is heartening to note that it is slowly getting mature as Nepal has already gone through various yet beneficial democratic exercises within a short span of ten years. Nevertheless, there are still some disgruntled elements within our midst and who are parroting their oft-repeated mantra: that multiparty democracy has not been able to deliver goods. Both the extreme left and extreme right elements seem to have made a common agenda and strategy to defame democracy and unleash vitriolic diatribes against the present democratic polity. These criticisms against the democratic system, needless to say, are from those disillusioned elements who advocate some form of dictatorial regime that the people rejected not only in Nepal but also in the world.

Democracy, as aptly pointed out by Premier Koirala, is a process that requires time and a lot of patience and hard work to institutionalise it in order to reap the desired fruits. It, therefore, would not be appropriate to expect perfection in ten years when other democratic countries, even with decades of democratic exercises and history behind them, have yet to perfect the system. But one thing we can say with pride is that our democracy, despite occasional hiccups, is moving towards maturity. And for its perfection and total success, wholehearted cooperation from all leaders, political parties and the people is a must.

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