Namrata Sharma

People all over the world are always obsessed with the question of what will the political leaders do? This is only natural as these leaders elected by them are seen as stars who will lead them out of the obstructions that arises in their day to day lives. Leaders are expected to take decision that will decide the course of our lives. PM Oli decided that we, the people of Nepal should go to vote for a government once more. Why should we go to vote again when the government, that he is heading, has not completed the five years term for which the people of Nepal elected them and gave executive powers to rule the country?

Wellbeing of citizens
Politicians all over the world seek power and lead people to believe that they are qualified to rule them and guide millions of people towards happiness and wellbeing. People want to be ruled so there is someone to be in charge and take decisions that shape their lives and make livelihood easier.
People of Nepal chose a group of people to rule over them for five full years as a majority government. However, looking at the most recent decision made by the two top most leaders in power now, it makes us and make Nepali people to wonder if the leaders we chose were in fact qualified enough to take decisions on our behalf.
History has unfolded thousands of decisions taken over the years and events that followed as an outcome of those decisions. In several occasions, be it the decision to go to war, build big dams, build or not build hydro-powers, or end governments -- the idea that one person or a group of people are in control of these process is misguided. It could be impossible for any political leader to be in control in a way that they can understand every nuances of governing a country to meet the demands of a nation from within and from demands of external forces.
Therefore, all political leaders, even the most powerful, have a political structure which supports them and gives advice and supports in the decision making process. Orders are given to subordinates who then work within the broader society to try to implement them.
Looking at the most recent decision of dissolving the parliament and heading for a mid-term election, one wants to ask Nepal’s leaders who took this decision and what was the strategy and mechanism that helped them to take these decisions? Who were the advisors? How was the decision of pushing a developing nation into voting during a health pandemic taken?
Leaders may have their own interests but they cannot impose their will on society. There has to be a consensus that allows the leaders to have their coalitions that allow them to rule. Leaders are shaped by a mixture of several minute processes and decisions. But where are these processes in Nepal? And why are people now forced to go to vote when they should be taking care of their health?
In different forms of political organisations and set-ups, those who understand the historical event of the moment and are able to gather momentum, emerge as true leaders. The first exercise for them is to gain roots within their own political organisation and gain control. Once this is done the higher they move the more decisions they need to take to set the path of those whom they claim to lead. But throughout this process they have a system, a mechanism especially in democratic set-ups to help and guide them in taking decisions. So who and what is that mechanism that has guided the current PM to take the most recent decision?

Reasonable
People are reasonable but not persuadable. When individuals chosen to lead make choices that contradict the need of the hour and the flow of the stream that the majority wants to flow in, it may lead to a public discourse that topples the leadership and bring hurdles along the path of development.
Leaders need to rise above petty self-interest and also party politics to serve the greater interest of the nation as a whole. The democratically elected governments of Nepal have, time after time, disappointed their electorates by dissolving the parliament and going to elections. This must not be allowed. Although the step has been taken it is time to listen to the citizens and stop this move.

(Namrata Sharma is a senior journalist and women rights advocate and can be reached at namrata1964@yahoo.com Twitter handle: NamrataSharmaP)