Finance Minister Stresses Upcoming Elections as Crucial for Federalism, Republic, and Democracy

Kathmandu. Finance Minister Rameshwar Prasad Khanal stated that the upcoming elections are a decisive opportunity to secure the future of federalism, the republic, and democracy. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 'Nepal Indigenous Knowledge Conference' organized by the National Foundation for Development of Indigenous Nationalities, he emphasized that clean and impartial elections are essential to strengthen the country's inclusive governance system.

He stressed the need for these elections to be successful in ensuring equal political rights and self-respect for all castes, languages, and communities. Finance Minister Khanal expressed the view that federalism, where power remains centralized at the center while only responsibilities are imposed at the lower levels, will not work, and there must be a genuine transfer of authority, resources, and decision-making capacity.

He stated that Nepal's ethnic, linguistic, and cultural diversity should be viewed as a national asset, not a problem. He also committed to submitting the conclusions and suggestions received from the conference in writing to the upcoming government. His argument was that democracy cannot be strong without respecting diversity and having an inclusive political system.

This conference, held from Magh 25 to 27 at the National Assembly Hall on the occasion of the Foundation's Silver Jubilee, involved intensive discussions on the preservation, promotion, and revitalization of indigenous knowledge. According to Resham Gurung, Vice-Chairman of the Foundation, approximately three hundred representatives from various indigenous communities across the country participated in the conference.

The program, which concluded with intellectual discourse, policy dialogue, and cultural celebration, brought together scholars, researchers, and policymakers from indigenous communities in one place.