Thursday, November 14, 2013

REDEFINING LEADERSHIP: YOUTH TAKE LEAD!

Kanchan Prasad Kharel & Pratyush Nath Upreti
Freelancer Writer & Youth Activist

The moment we realize the problem of present Nepalese politics lies in self-centered, omniscient and know-all attitude of the top leaders of major political parties then we are doing justice with ourselves. If this very realization within us genuinely triggers the need of revolution in the political culture of the country then we think we are moving towards right direction.

The beauty of present democracy is that the power lies in choices of four not in the voices of the rest. We have been gradually redefining democracy from people centric to power centric. The concentration of power in four faces without any accountability and ethical standards is harmful for the nation. When ‘Democracy’ starts appearing like ‘Oligarchy’, there is no wisdom in keeping quiet. 

Leadership vacuum is the cry of the nation. People have been losing hope in the top leaders. As there is a saying, “expectation is the mother of all frustration”, the same we are experiencing from present politics and its key care takers.  The growing resentment among people towards leaders can lead to devastating situation in future if not timely thought of turning their frustrations into optimism. If the main leaders do not change their attitudes then their future is at stake. They should not forget that people can take power from them like they took it from past heroes. We think leaders should at least for now take time out and think in what better ways they can reconstruct their leadership.

News is coming about increasing ideological tussle between the top leaders and some second generation leaders of the main parties. The grumbling has however shown no effect on top leaders but the later are suffering. In one of the political discussions we recently went to, some of the second generation leaders were sharing about their stories of continuous struggle and revolution against any misconducts and paternalistic attitudes of their main leaders. They admit that the parties are day-to-day becoming very undemocratic, especially the communication gap between the different hierarchy leaders is weakening the party values and deteriorating the atmosphere of mutual trust among leaders. They condemn that top leaders do not even bother to consult with the second generation party leaders about major decisions. What a pity!

Leaders are living in the paradise of self-obsession. The fun will not go long when they realize that loving oneself too much on one side has hatred coming from everyone on the other. Politics does not see person, it sees time. In democracy, people have right to make wrong things right. Now, the question is how can we reestablish the very idea of power on the hands of people by taking it away from the labyrinth of quadrilateral power? There are certain ways to lead the transformation.

Quality leadership and team player attitude is very nursery basics that our leaders need to reinvestigate. The quality of a statesman lies not in how much votes he/she keeps behind but depends upon how many sentiments and agenda he can put forward and find middle way to resolve the indifferences. The political culture of our country is in need of a true leader who keeps the national agendas in the front desk. One who rises above party politics in current transition is the path finder. Such leadership is desired!

In addition, we have always been advocating for the power of youth whom we believe have potential to give new direction to the politics of our country. Repeatedly, in every occasion, we have left no stone unturned to highlight three pragmatic ways youth can choose to change the current political motion of our country. First, changing the attitude of the top leaders requires political pressure from the emerging new generation leaders and party youth activists. Revolution within the parties can lead to gradual transformation of political values and culture. The major agenda of revolution should be towards encouraging shared leadership. Some of our leaders assume themselves to be the ultimate knower of almost everything. Top leaders obsessed about their individual wisdom. Undermining others knowledge and wisdom has been the recent symptom. This has to be changed.

Second, young and dynamic youth should enter into party politics. Since politics pave the way for socio-economic development, capable youth should try to penetrate the fussy political system and struggle to bring hope. Third, those who choose to remain out from active political activities, remaining independent and being critical about the political system would give much in return. Time has come to leave the tradition of handing over party flags from one generation to next.

Forming a political party and contesting an election is part of democratic practice. Since first democratic election in 1959, we have witness only eight election and since inception of election we haven’t seen much participation of youth in main stream politics through filling candidacy. What would be reason behind it? We don’t denie that political thought of defining Youth would be one of the major causes of less involvement of youth in politics. In upcoming election political parties have responded youth outcry by giving symbolic ticket to youth leaders. But this election we have been witnessing break from the past, as young leader of Bibeksheel Nepali have confidently filed independent candidacy for upcoming election. We had an opportunity to through the manifesto of their, it looks promising but we are not expecting much from them.  But effort of young candidate is appreciated, and we are confident that initiative taken by Bibeksheel Nepali party and its candidate will sure encourage youth to participate in election. But one thing we must know is that youth leader talks politics when election is near, but they don’t have habit to continue then after election. Nation is waiting to see how independent candidate of Bibeksheel Nepali party, would response to election results and then after political involvement.

At last, we suggest youth to stay more open to let things come, be more vocal to argue what we need from whom, and believe in what we receive not in what leaders advertize. New Nepal is possible when youth choose to elect issues not faces, lead prospect not flags. Redefining new leadership requires our individual commitment to do whatever we can to alter the current power understanding among top leaders.  As election is near, nation is  optimistic about conducting free and fair election, and by election we are hoping for “common goal with differential responsibility of each political party” to respect people aspiration, prior commitment, and complete the much waited Constitution of Nepal and lead country into political stability and development.






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