KATHMANDU: Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari has sharply criticized the functioning of the current parliament and political parties, describing the legislature as a helpless institution failing to meet people’s expectations.
Speaking at the inauguration of the contact office of the Madan Bhandari Foundation’s diamond jubilee organizing committee on Thursday, Bhandari said Nepal may have embraced full democracy, but the aspirations of the people remain unfulfilled.
“There are problems within the political parties, and they are failing to function in line with the system,” she said.
Bhandari also questioned the lack of substantive debate on constitutional amendments, despite consensus between the major parties, the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML.
Criticizing the practice of suspending lawmakers before charges are proven, she said: “It is undemocratic to suspend someone merely on the basis of allegations.”
Recalling her own political journey, Bhandari highlighted her transition from the Coordination Centre to the CPN (Marxist-Leninist) and eventually to the UML. She described UML today as a “brand” representing patriotism and progressivism.
As a former UML vice-chair, Bhandari said the Madan Bhandari Foundation was being advanced as a think tank to further the ideology of the late leader, stressing the need to carry forward his vision.
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