Why New Force Campaign?

Dambar khatiwoda

 

The debate of New Force (NF) is being become latest political discourse in Nepal. Various intellectuals, political ideologues, freelancers have been involving in this process. They have been writing, speaking about why NF is necessary. Former Prime Minister Dr.Baburam Bhattrai has quitted his mother-party Maoist and MP of Gorkha constituency for this purpose. He and his some colleagues are in the field of political activism for NF.  Gradually, it is becoming national wide campaign.  

I do not want to veil the fact that among them me too. I have been writing about significance of NF more than five years.  

We have a small debating circle at eastern part of Nepal, namely 'Forum for Alternative thoughts'. We have been discussing about 'Way of alternative politics'. We had published a booklet namely 'Debate of Alternative politics' with proposed seven theories.  

'The fourth Generation' is a periodical edited by comrade Mohan Timsina for the purpose. My intention of mentioning this reality is not for patent claim for New Force Campaign (NFC). Just I want to clear that how the simple and small attempts are now interacting with each other. It is the matter of happiness for all individuals and groups who were concerning with the debate. 

After the second CA election, a group of Maoist Movement basically led by DR. Bhattrai  involved in the process. No doubt, DR. Bhattarai is high rank political leader who has his own pertinent identity.  But many  who try to link NFC only with DR. Bhattari, actually they have various confusions and prejudices. He is not a Prime and single initiator. Outstandingly we have to remember MR, Rabindra Mishra, an influential journalist. Mr, Keshav Dahal a regular columnist of the Kantipur national daily. Various articles were being written by them about NF. Some civil society groups of Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari and other various part of country were also contributors. Small groups have been organized namely NF at eastern part of country. 

So that NFC is not a mission of Dr, Bhattarai and his Maoist colleagues only. It is common mission of all Post Modernist thinkers, initiators, activists and writers. More than that NFC is the mission of all common people who want alternative way of politics. More better state, more democracy, more creative and tolerate political culture by positive thinking.   

But this happiness is not more than our self-actualization. Actual challenges are ongoing now. Is there any ground reality for NF? Or is it only a time passing activities of so-called freelance intellectuals and dissident political workers? Why are we trying to do it if our traditional, orthodox and conformist political wings sufficient to carry the future of country ? Recently we have promulgated the new constitution. Why do not we be patient?  

In my opinion, we have two major grievances with our traditional forces, firstly- Their political bureaucracy, mostly centralized party apparatus, Weak inner party democracy, non transparent economic life and corruption friendly practices.   Secondly, low concerns of their leaders on the issues of good governance, equitable justice, economic development and prosperity. So that we can say we have some structural problems. Structures are not related only with institutional apparatus, it is also the matter of thinking patterns. If our traditional patterns are adequate why not we become an affluent country? Nobody can answer it. 

Enough is enough. We can not spoil out time know. Basically young generation cannot do it. We must do something better for the country at any cost. For this purpose we can ascertain the model of development. We can depict the clear picture of good governance. We must be ready to ensure equitable justice for communities, categories, classes and marginalized groups all over the country. More than that we have a dream to be a prosperous nation. If these things are possible from our traditional forces we do not need NFC. But how much we trust it? 

Of course, We do not minimize the historical roles and contributions of traditional forces for multi-party Democracy, They fought against aristocratic Rana regime, partyless Panchayati system and autocratic rule of monarchy. But they cannot lead the constructions and creations. They have limitations of their 'Fighter and Warrior' thought. They feel them-self as supreme than common people. They want benefits and returns for their sacrifice in the past. They are encouraging careerist and power monger culture. They have not any regret for backwardness of country. 

 

Many people, I met in this mission usually asked that why new? How does new? Is it not a cheap claim and propaganda? Anything can  be a new as anybody claims it new? If it is new, it must have differential qualities. What are these qualities? How the political principles, programs, and practices of the NFC will be New than others actually?  How can we make the developed country and prosperous economy? What is the model of democracy and the economy projected by NFC? 

Definitely if we think us as an activist of NFC, We have compulsory duty to answer these questions. If we have not ability to answer we have not right to make an idle talk. Let us start.

First-21st century is ideologically 'Post Marxist' and socio-economically 'Post capitalist' era. 'Capitalism' and 'Communism' are theoretical prejudice of past centuries. NFC cannot be a communist and capitalist political wing. It is not a rightist or Leftist, but Left- centralist, means Left- Democratic.  It is political initiation for 'Post Modernism'.  Basic ideological elements of NFC are Nationalism, Federalism, Democracy and Socialism. But not in the old form. NFC wants to redefine these four elements Nationalism as progressive Nationalism, Federalism as regionalized Federalism, Democracy as participatory Democracy, socialism as market Socialism with strong regulatory mechanism.  

Second- Basic programs and policies of NFC are guided by four elements, Development, Good governance, Equitable justice and Prosperity. NFC wants to redefine development model, restructure the administrative system and its efficiency and accomplish the economic growth with effective equitable distribution of benefits for all social and economic groups.

Third- NFC wants to ensure strong inner party democracy rather than, bureaucratic centralized and coterie-hold party- form. There will not be leaders and cadres group. All will be 'Activist' with equal legal rights within party- organization. All level party committees will be directly elected by party activist. NFC will be held under theory of democratic conduct. FNC does not want to carry the traditions of guiding thoughts, Presidium, leadership authority, politburos standing committees within party. Inner party democracy will be fully ensured. 

Fourth-There are vast and vital gaps between new promulgated constitution and expectations basically on the issues of ruling system, constituting federating units, restructuring the administrative state organs into good governance friendly patterns. We have already two type extremes about new constitution. Some wants totally denied it. Some thinks it is the most constitution of the world. Beyond these extremes we need critical analysis and support to constitution. To make mandate for positive and creative amendments of constitution in future we need NF. NFC will be the tools for further progress of new constitution.  

Fifth- We are in the age of intensifying globalization. In the same time our geo-political complexities are become more crucial. China and India, two big neighbors and emerging world powers, we might have tactful skill to utilize opportunities by their economies. Same thing about other countries. We can not fulfill investment gap of Nepal without foreign capital and technologies.  In this context, knowledge, will power and commitments of traditional forces very weak. NF may be the gap-space filler.

All the reasons and causes are not being mentioned in the short articles. I think these fives are very obvious reasons to justify the inevitability of NF.