Reference BP Jayanti
Democratic Socialism: Concept or Problem in Implementation?
Dharmendra Jha
Kathmandu. Today is the 112th birth anniversary of the great human BP Koirala. BP Koirala descended on this earth on this day i. e. in 1971 B. S. There is no need to hesitate to say that BP Koirala, the founder leader of Nepali Congress, was not only the leader of the Congress but also of the entire democratic movement.
He is recognized as a politician with the ability to speed up politics and turn it according to the times and take it to a logical conclusion. BP was known as an international level politician with an extraordinary ability and practical skills to make every situation developed in politics favorable to democracy. BP, who was known as a leading leader of the world socialist movement, did not get enough opportunity to implement socialist programs in his own country.
On the basis of the analysis of BP’s thinking, it can be said that for him, basic human values were the principles based on equality.
He firmly believed that this situation could be achieved through democratic system and socialism. There can be no doubt, this determination of BP is the guiding principle of today’s Nepali politics.
Many of the policies adopted by the Nepali Congress at that time are the embodiment of the party’s womb theory, i. e., socialist philosophy. Prior to that, the sixth general convention of the Nepali Congress held in Birgunj had established the principle of democratic socialism as the main principle of the party. In the same convention, BP had passed 18 different resolutions, including the formation of a national planning committee for the construction of a socialist society.
He had said at that time that we were determined to achieve the socialist system through democratic means and means. Even today, the Nepali Congress is living on the foundation of this. Unfortunately, he did not get long to implement the programs, plans and policies he started. If he had been able to work according to his vision for a few years, Nepal could have become as prosperous as other countries of the world. Nepal could also have picked up the pace of development.
But Nepal had to face one-party autocracy, armed conflict, and political instability. Now there is democracy in the country, the responsibility of the successor of BP, the pioneer of democratic socialism, is to fulfill his dream. But there are problems in the implementation of BP’s concept. The problem is not with his ideas and concepts, but with those who implement that concept. We can never take the burden of BP’s dream and the goal he left on our shoulders by reading BP’s slogan and the mantra of socialism and calling his name in blank letters.
The concept of BP that incarnated on this earth 112 years ago is equally important even today. There is no need to feel embarrassed to believe that BP’s ideas are relevant even in today’s changed political environment of Nepal. Yes, BP is the founder of Nepali Congress, but it is not appropriate to limit the political concept propounded by him to the Nepali Congress only. There can be no disagreement that his views are of equal importance to all who call themselves democratic.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that BP was not only a person but also a visionary of the era in Nepal’s politics. When the Nepali society had not developed in comparison to the rest of the world, he had already dreamed of the country’s prosperity. He had not only dreamed but also prepared a plan with a vision to implement it.
His premiership period of about 18 months is considered to be a golden period for Nepalese democracy. It does not matter that this period was not only a starting point in the direction of modernization and development of the country, but it was also the beginning of a clear vision and far-sighted politics. It should not be uncomfortable to say that under his leadership, the fundamentalization of socialism and the politics of principle could be conceived and a future line of the country was drawn.
He stressed on the establishment of industries and factories on the basis of the philosophy that democracy would not be fruitful unless the living standard of the people was raised through economic transformation and in the absence of democracy, the development of the country would not be possible.
He had made a timeless effort to connect Nepali society and geography on the basis of people-centered politics. He had started an effort to implement the concept of bringing the excluded castes, communities and geography into the mainstream of the state in order to give a new meaning to politics.
Today, those who do politics in the name of inclusion need to understand that BP had not only propounded but also implemented the principle of inclusion at that time and tried to guide the new process of nation building on this basis. Analyzing the documents of that time, BP had laid the foundation for the inclusion of the country today. If we look at his cabinet and the people he appointed, it is found that all the geography, castes, classes and communities of the country are represented.
In short, BP emphasized on the establishment of social justice through inclusion. In his later days, the implementation of this concept could not be continued in a meaningful sense. His successors never stopped spreading the BP philosophy on paper and in speeches, but almost never directed themselves in the direction of realizing BP’s dream.
If the political development of Nepal is analyzed in a fine way, then it can be found that the politics of Nepal was limited to a particular geography and region during his time. He sought change in this situation. Knowing the reality of the society very well, he had formulated the policy of socialism based on pluralism. This fact is also confirmed by the efforts he made to bring policies, plans and programs accordingly. One of the main examples of this can be considered as land reform. At present, all the work that has been done in the country regarding land management is based on his policies.
Due to the political outlook and changing world politics, there is always a need for national unity for nation building. He had already envisioned some of the necessary structures to run democracy. For example, he had a clear understanding that democracy cannot be strong unless the press is free. BP, who fought all his life for the establishment and preservation of democracy, has put forward the vision put forward in the name of socialism for democracy and economic progress is equally relevant even today.
Today, the political situation in Nepal is different from yesterday. New characters and ideas have emerged in politics. The geopolitical situation is sensitive. In such a situation, perhaps Nepal’s politics and overall situation is more complicated than yesterday. In such a situation, there can be no doubt that the relevance of BP’s policy has increased further.
प्रतिक्रिया दिनुहोस्
