POKHARA: A comprehensive new survey has found that an overwhelming majority of citizens in Gandaki Province are deeply dissatisfied with the performance of the current government, the direction of the country, and the overall state of political leadership.
The report, titled “Voices of Discontent A Case Study of Gandaki Province” and published by the research organization Purak Asia, reveals that 91% of respondents are dissatisfied with the current government’s work, while 85% believe Nepal’s political direction is fundamentally flawed.
The survey, conducted between December 27, 2024 and January 24, 2025, included direct interviews with 1,067 respondents from 18 municipalities across nine districts of Gandaki Province, excluding Manang and Mustang.
Researchers used a multi-stage random sampling method to ensure representativeness, achieving a 95% confidence level with a 3% margin of error. The findings provide a rare and deeply revealing look at the sentiments of citizens toward governance, opportunity, and leadership in the province.
One of the most alarming revelations is the intensity of economic frustration, especially among the youth. Nearly 78% of participants said they are unable to find jobs within the country that match their skills, knowledge, and qualifications.
Around 70% said the environment does not support entrepreneurship. This economic hopelessness is fueling mass youth migration, a concern shared by 88% of respondents who view this trend as damaging to the country’s future.
The survey also exposes how corruption and nepotism have eroded trust in government institutions. About 82% of respondents reported that they find it difficult to access basic government services without relying on middlemen.
More than 90% believe that political leaders actively protect corrupt actors and use their influence to benefit allies. In terms of institutional fairness, 86.5% of respondents said that political favoritism heavily affects government appointments, while 76% reported nepotism in contract and procurement decisions.
The loss of trust in leadership is stark. A total of 82.6% of those surveyed said their faith in political leaders has significantly declined.
Confidence in democratic institutions, such as parliament, the federal government, the provincial government, and political parties, remains dangerously low, with satisfaction levels ranging between just 20% and 25%.
Yet despite these levels of dissatisfaction, the people of Gandaki are not ready to abandon democratic principles.
While 19.5% said they would consider protests and 19.9% expressed a desire to leave the country altogether, the majority—53.5%—said they still believe change can be achieved through elections.
This response highlights a resilient belief in democratic processes, despite widespread frustration with the individuals currently in power.
The survey also reveals strong public interest in alternative leadership. About 56.6% of respondents believe that new political forces could succeed where older parties have failed. However, even more—approximately 73%—said they would prefer to see a new individual leader, one with competence, integrity, and a results-oriented mindset, rather than a new party.
This indicates a growing appetite for transformative leadership that transcends traditional political divisions.
The report serves as a mirror to Gandaki’s rising public discontent and provides a crucial warning to political stakeholders. While the citizens’ faith in politicians may be fading, their commitment to democratic solutions has not.
But this faith is not limitless. Without immediate reforms in governance, economic opportunity, and transparency, the risk of public disengagement or backlash in future elections is real.
Ultimately, the message is clear: people are not just frustrated with politics—they are desperate for change. And unless Nepal’s political leadership recognizes this urgency and responds with bold, ethical, and effective action, the quiet dissatisfaction in Gandaki could become a defining force in Nepal’s democratic future.
Comment