Suu Kyi’s word of praise
The Himalayan Times
17
June 2014
Suu Kyi’s word of praise
It was encouraging to read the news “Nepal far ahead in democratic practice: Suu Kyi”
(THT, 15 June, Page 1) when the country is still in transition period. However,
the country is gradually moving towards stabilization of democratic norms and
values in the country through negotiated political approach. According to her, Nepal is ahead than Myanmar in democratic process citing two aspects,
first one was the professionalism of the army and the second one was the
decision making through negotiated compromise among the political stakeholders.
To further prove this second aspect, the major political parties of Nepal have to work hard to draft the new
constitution within one year as promised by them during the CA election.
Albeit the democratic practice in Nepal is alive and healthy, the sincerity and
commitment of the major political parties towards the nation and its people are
still lacking. As result, they failed to give the new constitution during the
erstwhile CA. Consequently, the election of second CA had to be held about
seven months ago. Looking at the absenteeism of the lawmakers in the ongoing
CA, it does not seem that this CA will also be able to promulgate the new
constitution within the stipulated time either. However, the general public
have a high hope of seeing the constitution in their hands as promised by the
political parties. If the major political parties fail to draft the
constitution this time also, they will loose their identity and existence.
Suu Ki said that her country has learnt one
important message of democratic politics from Nepal and it was the idea of negotiated
compromise. So far, the major political parties have been able to sort out
their some of the political differences through negotiations and compromises. However,
there are still a number of burning issues with regard to federalism, form of
the governance and state structure to be resolved among them.
Rai Biren Bangdel
Maharjgunj, Nepal
