Communist Party MP Highlights Need for Strong Institutions Over Populism

Kathmandu. The Nepali Communist Party has stated that the country will not be built through cheap popularity and publicity-oriented activities, and that state mechanisms and institutions must be strengthened. Speaking in the House of Representatives meeting on Wednesday, party MP Mahendrabahadur Shahi said that political parties and leadership should focus on fulfilling the real and long-term needs of the people rather than momentary publicity stunts.

MP Shahi drew the government's attention to the issue of the Nepal-India border in relation to the statement made by Prime Minister Balendra Shah. Stating that the government cannot remain silent in Parliament on such serious issues related to national interest and sovereignty, he demanded that a clear stance be made public on this matter. He clarified that the opposition would continue its protest until the government clarifies this issue.

Speaking at the meeting, MP Shahi said that while the main issue of Nepali politics should be development and prosperity, cheap popularity and publicity-oriented activities have become dominant. 'The people are looking for physical infrastructure development, economic prosperity, good governance, and social justice,' he said, 'but today our main issues have been overshadowed, and attention is focused on cheap popularity and publicity-oriented activities. Such activities will not build the country; rather, they will lead it towards destruction.'

He accused the government of engaging in publicity stunts, gimmicks, and half-baked work instead of delivering results. He stated that this is creating not hope, but distrust in the government among the people.

MP Shahi said that in a democracy, individuals are temporary, and state institutions are permanent. 'An individual elected for five years is temporary, but the state and its institutions are permanent,' he said. 'Therefore, institutions should be strengthened, not individuals. Democracy is not strengthened by weakening state mechanisms, strengthening individuals, and creating fear and terror among citizens.'