Explanation of Janata ko Bahudaliya Janabad | People's Multiparty Democracy | Part 1

People's Multiparty Democracy or Janata ko Bahudaliya Janabad (Ja Ba Ja)

Madan Kumar Bhandari
Author: Janata ko Bahudaliya Janabad

Brief Highlight of Nepali Politics during 2046-2048 BS

Janata ko Bahudaliya Janabad was the document made and proposed by Madan Kumar Bhandari in the fifth national convention of the then CPN-UML (2049 Magh 14-20). This document was passed by CPN-UML on the fifth national convention.

The political principle carried by the then CPN-UML was Ja Ba Ja. Ja. Most people only know that Ja Ba Ja was the concept based on the participation of multiple parties following the democratic rule but in reality, Ja Ba Ja is much more than that. After the re-establishment of democracy in 2046 BS, all the underground parties, and a group of people for revolution came up. Democracy was again established in the country by King Birendra. King Birendra accepted constitutional reforms and established a multiparty parliament with King as the Head of state and executive Prime Minister. In 2048, Nepal had its first parliamentary election, conducted by Krishna Prasad Bhattarai. Girija Prasad Koirala became the prime minister of Nepal.

Janata ko Bahudaliya Janabad (Ja Ba Ja)

Introduction (Necessity of Ja Ba Ja)

It does not only concern about having multi-party in the election but also has given a new concept that if adopted in the society will help to grow the society into another level for poor and middle-class people. Though it was claimed that Democracy is re-established but the country was suffering from feudalism and imperialism. And the people of the country needed to be alert, organized and circulated. The social revolution was the most necessary compulsory aim back then. After the revolution, Political agendas for the development of the country were planned to be stepped forward. Madan Bhandari knew that the harassment of feudalism and imperialism would never let the country to be developed. He knew that industrialization and National capitals are the factors that would develop the country. He knew that economy of the country had to be developed for the progress of the country and economic growth was impossible without the end of feudalism. Without infrastructural development Socialism was impossible. And for the infrastructure development, national capital and industrialization were necessary. And without throwing feudalism and imperialism, industrialization was impossible. So, ultimately the main problem was feudalism which was the main obstacle for the development of the country and socialism.

Nepal is a landlocked country and it was a great problem for the progress and the development of the country. This fact could not be changed and the country had to depend upon neighbouring countries for the development. However, slavery and dependency on any county could not be accepted. For that, good relations had to be maintained among the neighbour for the benefits of both countries. But maintaining such good relations for mutual benefits for both countries was not possible from the political power that would bend the knee in front of other political power from the west. Nepal is rich in natural resources and if those resources were utilized properly, the development and prosperity of the country and the poor people were possible but for utilization of natural resources too, feudalists and imperialists were an obstacle. If feudalists and imperialists could be defeated and the natural resources were utilized properly for the development of the country, Nepal could have become a prosperous country.

But the country was fighting with Feudalism and the Bureaucrats. And the people of the country were being harassed by feudalists and bureaucrats. Industries and factories were handled by westerner capitalists and broker bureaucrats capitalists. Middle-class capitalists and people were suffering, the Economy of the country was dependent upon other countries.

From the beginning of the 19th century, Nepal was fighting for its independence. Many treaties were signed that were against the interest of the country. Many agreements with international financial institutions were made which were against the favour of the country. So, the struggle for independence, geographical integrity, and national self-dependence still remained. As long as the political power that would not fight for independence remained on the power, the treaties that were not in favour of the country could not be renewed and the policy for new foreign relations could not be made.

There was limited freedom after the establishment of Democracy in 2007 BS. But after a decade king took over power and established Panchyat System. During the 30 year period, Nepal became the second country in the poorest country. But after 2046 BS, Panchayat was removed and Democracy was re-established. Absolute Monarchy was removed and Constitutional Monarchy was maintained. A multiparty system with limited power was established.  People's rights, political freedom, and equality were ensured. This was the biggest achievement of Jana Andolan. This achievement was very important for the establishment of true democracy.

The character of Nepali society was the same for a long time and it had to be changed and the revolution to change the character is still going on. Power to the right people could be given by the only revolution of people and after that only rest of the goals could be achieved. Even though the revolution had begun, it had been a long time since it had begun and the proper result was not achieved for a long time. But on the other hand, the world revolutionary movement had taught many lessons. And those lessons could be adopted in our country. For the change and the development of society, the same lessons could be adopted and learned.