There is a dire need to stop the tendency of hyping up things unnecessarily first and immediately criticizing when smallest of error occurs on the part of relatively new people in every field. If the capital city along with other cities is actually hoping for change, there isn’t any recourse other than keeping calm and waiting for at least a reasonable time frame.
The results of Local Election 2022 have unleashed various hidden emotions of the people in Nepal. Some cities re-elected the same candidates while others chose to revolt and sent a strong message to the political parties about the consequences they might face should they continue misleading the voters. Amidst this, some independent candidates not only won the ballot but also stole the hearts of voters as they emerged as a ray of hope to the frustrated public.
Interestingly, the most loved, discussed, criticized and recognized mayoral candidate, the independent candidate for Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Balendra Shah, not just managed but won the election in the political hub with huge votes despite several doubts, hesitation and cynical manipulations. The new Mayor who just took over Kathmandu Metropolitan City office has already been subjected to an overwhelming number of commentaries in less than 48 hours.
Change of Guard and OBOR
The capital city initially saw the division of the populace during the election broadly into two categories. The first category mainly covered young voters who advocated for change and believed in the independent candidate although wary of his capabilities and possible challenges. The second category covered the comparatively older population who had been preaching certain political parties for their entire life and refused to believe that an independent candidate would be able to act as the guardian of the capital. Surprisingly, soon after the new mayor assumed the position, a third category emerged and these voices are predictably, both the most powerful and the most poisonous ones.
These are the people who definitely advocate change but are keeping a close watch at the newly elected mayor and as of now are mostly disdaining the capacity of the new mayor as inferior or naive. Oddly, these people neither belong to the young nor the older age group but are educated mid-generations. In order to keep the check and balance factor alive, these newly emerging opinions are important as their voices are powerful. However, it only takes a short period of time for negative expressions to spread like wildfire and this can be poisonous. Considering the fact that it will definitely take some time for the newly elected mayor to understand the process and fit in with the existing old school bureaucrats, these early negative remarks might be a buzzkill.
Keeping political context aside, naturally, an outsider in any field will always struggle to comprehend a particular closed system. Although from outside it might seem as if everything is crystal clear and that getting an entry will ease out everything, the real challenge lies in blending in after entering into the system and actually being a part of all the appreciation and attacks. Contextually, the city needs to understand that the change which has been expected from the new election results will not appear magically and that everybody needs time, including the new mayor.
Nepalis who are synonymously referred to as courageous and heroic are somewhat behind when it comes to making serene decisions. Especially in the era of social media, where people can literally speak their minds out in public, making rash comments, memes and discouraging people who have at least stepped forward for change will not make any positive contribution in the process. One trait, for the good or bad, that can definitely be borrowed from the older generation is their ability to trust the process and hopelessly believe in their people. Despite the fact that the same rigidness or refusal to voice against corrupt political parties has cost Nepal many years of possible developments, replacement of the system is impossible without a little if not endless trust and belief, especially in a democratic setup.
All things together, in a society where the opinions of young people are frequently dismissed on the account of age and experience, a little sensitivity in expressions this time around might just inspire the youths to come forward in politics like independent candidates this year. There is a dire need to stop the tendency of hyping up things unnecessarily first and immediately criticizing when smallest of error occurs on the part of relatively new people in every field. It is one thing to act as a gatekeeper for transparency and reliability but another thing to be dismissive about new people in power or positions.
When the country has blindly trusted the old political system for all these years with barely any visible outputs, why can’t it be about patiently supporting or directing the new powers in a civilized and systematic way this time? If the capital city along with other cities is actually hoping for change, there isn’t any recourse other than keeping calm and waiting for at least a reasonable time frame. The magical change in the Nepali system is only possible with magical change in the attitude and expression of Nepalis. It will be worth watching whether this enchanting revolution will actually change the face of capital or will it fall in a loop like always in absence of much required civility.
