KATHMANDU: CPN-UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel has proposed that parliamentarians from parties unable to achieve national status should be granted independent status to strengthen democracy.
Speaking at a meeting at the Central Office in Chyasal on Monday, Pokharel emphasized the need for amendments to existing laws and the constitution to address the issue of small, less influential parties.
Pokharel suggested that implementing such reforms could reduce the number of parties in Nepal.
“If the law recognized MPs from parties that fail to meet the national threshold as independent, the number of parties would decrease. These MPs would likely align with a stronger party for their political future, thereby gradually diminishing the influence of fringe parties,” he stated.
He criticized the current legal framework, asserting that it hinders the strengthening of parties.
“The present laws seem to bolster smaller parties rather than allowing larger, stronger parties to emerge. This has led to a situation where smaller parties hold disproportionate power, eroding public trust in democracy,” Pokharel argued.
Pokharel proposed that democratic stability could be achieved through legal and constitutional reforms.
He acknowledged concerns about the proportional election system, which some argue prevents any single party from gaining a majority.
However, he maintained that a majority government could still emerge if parties are popular.
He cautioned against the ongoing political instability, warning that it could erode public trust in democracy and potentially lead to a shift in public sentiment towards the monarchy, which was previously seen as a regressive force.
“If instability continues, people might reconsider their views and look back nostalgically at the past. It is crucial to amend the law and constitution to strengthen major parties and restore faith in democratic governance,” Pokharel maintained.
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