The Ujjaya Nepal Party (UNEPA), formed under the patronage and leadership of Minister Kulman Ghising, who is working with the responsibility of three ministries in the government formed with the responsibility of holding elections, has put forward the concept of amending the constitution.

The chairman of UNEPA is former secretary Anup Kumar Upadhyay. The manifesto issued at the party announcement program on Wednesday mentions the need to amend the provisions in the constitution, including the executive and legislature.

UNEPA, which has written in the manifesto that the constitution is accepted as a dynamic document, is saying that ‘some provisions of the current constitution should be amended for the bright future of Nepal.’

The first point to be amended in the manifesto prepared by the team headed by UNEPA central member Shankar Dhakal is related to the executive and legislature. ‘Since it is almost impossible to form a strong and stable government under the current system, the electoral system should be reformed to ensure proportional inclusive representation,’ it has been said further about the constitutional amendment, ‘After the Prime Minister is elected, it should be ensured that the government runs for half the term of the parliament in any case.’

This party has proposed that the provision that the person elected as the Prime Minister should be allowed to work for half the term of the parliament (2 years and 6 months) should be written in the constitution. Similarly, UNEPA is of the opinion that the constitution should be amended regarding federalism as well.

‘The practice of federalism should be maintained and made practical, result-oriented and effective. The structure and number of provincial and local levels can be reviewed taking into account the country’s population, geography, identity, strength and economic potential. Issues related to federalism should be addressed on the basis of a broad national consensus.’

UNEPA also proposes that the constitution should be amended to review the number of ministries. The constitution currently provides for 25 ministries, including the prime minister. There cannot be more than 25 ministers. ‘The number of ministries should be reviewed based on the suggestions received from studies conducted at various times in the context of governance reforms,’ reads the manifesto of the Unepa.

Unepa proposes that local elections should be held on a non-partisan basis and that the constitution should be amended for that. Unepa, which has put forward the concept of ‘restructuring the Judicial Council so that there is no partisan interference in the judiciary,’ has said, ‘If the majority of the people demand amendments to the content of the constitution, the Ujjaya Nepal Party will stand by the people’s will.’

Unepa has also made it clear that the constitution is acceptable as a dynamic document. It has also mentioned that it considers the democratic values ​​and norms mentioned in the Constitution of Nepal 2072 BS as the ideological guiding principles of the party.

‘Competitive multi-party governance system, a federal democratic republican system, secularism, autonomy and the right to self-governance, proportional inclusiveness and democratic socialism-Ujyalo Nepal will remain as the ideological guidelines of the party,’ the manifesto states, ‘Independent, impartial and competent judiciary, complete freedom of press and expression, respect for different opinions, adult suffrage, periodic free elections, government formation based on public opinion, transparent and participatory decision-making process and separation of powers are the cornerstones of the party’s governance principles.’     

At the party announcement program, Ghising said that new political forces should come together. ‘Many citizens are interested in what kind of government will come after 21 Falgun. That is why the Ujyalo Party was born. Now the leadership of change should be given by individuals, organizations and parties that can provide new alternatives.’ For this, we must unite and work together based on the wishes and aspirations of the general public,' said Ghising, 'Now all the new and alternative friends must come together and turn change into results in any situation. New and young leadership must come to give this result. Everyone will criticize when things are bad, but if they run away when the opportunity arises, then change will not come.'

Ghising said that the contribution of Nepalis inside and outside the country is necessary for change. Stating that politics should be developmental now, he also claimed that it will not take long to make Nepal prosperous. He said that if there is no good governance in the country and the conduct of political leadership deteriorates and corruption flourishes, the people will lose their trust.

'The basis of Nepal's prosperity is good governance. Becoming a corruption-free country is the main basis for Nepal's prosperity. To address the demands raised by Genji, the first thing to do is to make a corruption-free country. Only if we can make a country free of corruption will we move forward towards prosperity. Now the right people have to come into politics. The country will not change if people sit outside and keep abusing but do not want to come into politics,' he said.

Former Education Minister Sumana Shrestha also reached the UNEP declaration meeting to address the party. She, who was in dialogue with various parties to leave the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and join new political parties in unity, said that alternative political parties should move forward together.

'We should move forward unitedly. Going separately means rolling out the red carpet to the old parties,' she said. 'We should move forward with a broad mind. Not going differently.' Sumana said that the journey of the political party now is to establish good governance and end corruption, nepotism, favoritism and bias.

In the aftermath of the Gen-G movement, the Ghising-led party, which has been holding three important development ministries in the government led by former Chief Justice Karki, has recalled the Bhadra 23-24 movement since 2007. It has explained the events of Bhadra 23 and 24 as ‘the rebellion of the Gen-G youth forced the incompetent and unresponsive government and the old party regime to kneel down within a few hours’.

The manifesto states that the establishment and expansion of a new party is indispensable to fulfill the aspirations of good governance, prosperity and social justice demanded by the movement. Claiming that it has come with a determination and plan to practice a new era in Nepal’s political practice, the party has called on leaders in old parties and people’s representatives at various levels to join it.

‘The Ujjalo Nepal Party will achieve superiority through competition on the basis of excellence, transparency and accountability by accepting the basic values ​​of democracy practiced globally such as civil liberties, rule of law, periodic elections, adult suffrage, independent judiciary, human rights and press freedom,’ the manifesto states, ‘The Ujjalo Nepal Party and excellence will be synonymous. Qualified and suitable people will be established in appropriate roles.’

This party has said about its goal, ‘The primary goal of the party will be to enrich the lives of every citizen on the basis of good governance and social justice while protecting and promoting the national interests of Nepal.’ UNEP believes that the incompetence, misgovernance, chaos and division of political parties including the Congress, UML, Maoists and others are responsible for the vicious cycle of despair and exodus in Nepali society.

In the party manifesto, the party has mentioned that public bodies should be restructured to make public service delivery easier, more systematic, and faster and that technology-friendly public administration should be practiced. ‘The knowledge, skills, expertise, and experience of Nepalis employed abroad and those living abroad as non-residents should be utilized for building a bright Nepal.’ The party has said that assets acquired through corruption or other illegal means should be investigated and confiscated.

The party, which has put forward the concept of ensuring the right to vote for Nepalis living abroad, has not mentioned anything about how to do that. Instead, it has suggested the option of providing electronic voting for those who are in the country but cannot go to their polling stations.

The party has also advocated that Nepali citizens remain Nepalis even if they go abroad and obtain citizenship of the same country. ‘Non-resident Nepalis will be encouraged to return to Nepal and invest in Nepal.’ The concept of once a Nepali, always a Nepali will be embraced,' the manifesto states.

Ghising was the head of the Electricity Authority when load shedding was ended in Nepal. UNEP is trying to take credit for the work done at that time. The model of the Chilime Hydropower Project and the end of load shedding have made the Electricity Authority profitable and the situation of exporting electricity abroad has shown managerial and governance capacity, and the people have also accepted it, the manifesto states.