Former PM Dr. Baburam Bhattarai Withdraws Candidacy, Pledges Non-Partisan Support for National Progress

Heartfelt greetings to all respected sisters, brothers, and friends residing at home and abroad!

I have spent my entire life pondering why Nepal is trapped in a vicious cycle of underdevelopment, why we became one of the poorest nations in the world, and why millions of our children and grandchildren are forced to go abroad. I contemplated how Nepal could reach the pinnacle of development and prosperity in a short period. That was also the subject of my doctoral research. After completing that, influenced by the philosophical belief that one must not only understand the world but also change it, I embarked on a mission to change the world.

In that process, I realized the first thing to change was the country's political system. Studying the history of nations like Europe, America, Russia, and China, I understood that countries develop only after changing their politics first, establishing democracy, and then continuously advancing that democracy according to the times. During the time I was born and raised—50 to 60 years ago—the country was under absolute monarchy, feudalism, and various forms of discrimination. Therefore, I worked to change the political system to end these ills. In that pursuit, we were forced to participate sometimes in peaceful struggle and sometimes in armed conflict. As a result of those efforts, we promulgated the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic through the Constituent Assembly in 2072 BS, which helped Nepal complete a phase of democratization.

Once the phase of democratization was largely complete, I started the New Power Campaign with the goal of ushering in a new politics focused primarily on good governance and prosperity. Many friends supported me, and the journey progressed through various winding paths. To date, the New Power, then Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and now various other parties, including the Progressive Democratic Party, have emerged. Furthermore, the process of transformation within the old parties is also moving forward in different ways. In this context, the 'Genji Rebellion' that occurred in Nepal on Bhadra 23 and 24 (September 8 and 9), reaffirmed what I had been saying for the last ten years, in my opinion. Because, until political change is rapidly followed by economic and social transformation—especially until respectable, productive employment can be created for our youth within the country—the fulfillment of democracy cannot be meaningful. Following this, I thought that instead of remaining tied to a single political party, as I am now 70 years old, I should bring forward the new generation. With this thought, I decided to hand over the leadership of the party I had nurtured and developed to new friends and assume a role of guardianship.

Now, regarding the election announced for Falgun 21, I initially thought it would be most appropriate for me to remain outside parliament, offering advice and guidance to parties, groups, and factions with progressive ideas, and to support them when necessary. Thus, I declared that I would not take up any executive role nor contest the election. However, as election activities advanced, the clouds of uncertainty over the nation did not seem to dissipate. Difficulties of various natures arose within the old parties, the new parties struggled to find a clear path, and while new parties emerged, I realized that perhaps we had not yet paid enough attention to solving the country's fundamental problems. Furthermore, concerning questions such as Nepal's national sovereignty, given the strategic interests of countries like China (becoming the world's first economy), India (moving towards becoming the third largest economy), and the United States (the world's leading economy)—if we fail to manage these strategic interests properly, a new conflict might arise, potentially threatening national sovereignty. It occurred to me that it would be appropriate to play a role within the parliament to formulate the correct foreign policies for the nation in such matters.

Secondly, I felt that I could play a role from within parliament to address some shortcomings in the constitution we have, which I had pointed out before and advocated for reforming. As the Chairman of the Constitution Committee, I felt I could contribute there.

Thirdly, following the Genji Rebellion and the agreement reached, the tasks of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission on the Disappeared, which remained unfinished after the previous Maoist peace process, can be advanced, for which the role of parliament might be significant. Moreover, regarding our shared aspiration for the country's development and prosperity, I, as a student of political economy, believe I can play a role from parliament in formulating appropriate policies, particularly economic policies, for their implementation.

Finally, having represented Gorkha for a long time and contributed to its development works, several plans remained incomplete. It was essential to accelerate rapid economic development based on that infrastructure, and I felt I could play a role in intensifying that effort. Based on these considerations, I decided to participate in the upcoming parliamentary elections and registered my nomination.

In the course of this, friends from various sectors, including personalities from new and old parties, advised me that it would be more appropriate for a personality like me to remain as a unifying figure. They argued that as a Member of Parliament, one’s role might become confined to a single party, especially given the current fluid state of the nation, which has not yet taken a definite shape. Therefore, they urged that it would be more suitable for me to advise and guide political parties and the future government in various ways rather than engage in electoral competition. This appeal came from parties, individuals, and even the local people, whose initial desire was for me to represent them directly, but they agreed after hearing these arguments.

Therefore, in line with the appeals and wishes of all friends, I have decided to withdraw the nomination paper I filed today, believing it is more appropriate for me to remain outside, supporting the parties as per the aspirations of the entire nation, rather than just being a Member of Parliament. In the coming days, I express my commitment to continuously work for the nation and society, supporting the political parties, groups, and individuals with progressive thinking that the country desires.

I extend my sincere gratitude to all friends who supported and assisted me in this process, especially the proposers and seconders, and those who supported this campaign in various ways. I reaffirm my commitment to remain continuously in the service of the people in the days ahead. I also thank all the political parties, groups, and individuals who appealed to me, publicly or privately, to move forward in a new manner. I will continue to offer my support, unconditionally and selflessly, for the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Accord that we have not been able to fully realize, and the agreement the state recently made with the Genji group following the Genji Rebellion. My commitment remains to collaborate and support all progressive individuals within the former New Power Party, now the Progressive Democratic Party, as well as other newly formed parties like RSP, Ujyalo Nepal Party, and progressive factions within the older parties. Expressing this commitment, I hope to continue receiving goodwill from you all and remain dedicated to serving you in the future, just as in the past.

Thank you, Namaskar!

Dr. Baburam Bhattarai

Former Prime Minister and Patron of Prlopa