Challenges Facing the Civil Service for Nepal’s New Government

In the recent House of Representatives election, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (Raswap) witnessed unprecedented popular support. Out of 275 seats, Raswap won 182 seats. Although a wave of votes for a small symbol like the “bell” is not unique in Nepal’s political history, this time voters chose the same symbol with distinct hopes.

Over the past seven decades, similar groundswell movements have repeatedly refreshed the collective memory. This time, voters supported Raswap largely because they wanted to see a new generation rebel against the inactivity of old political parties. Communities always expect their leaders to take initiative. In democracy, leaders who fail to lead are destined to lose elections. When this rule is ignored, frustration spreads, igniting rebellion among youth, who cast their votes based on this shared anger — the outcome we witnessed.

Now, all eyes are on what the nearly two-thirds majority government will do. Nepal’s social fabric is diverse, with varying expectations that require a political culture and an efficient civil service to meet them. Past leadership cultures that produced malpractices such as corruption, abuse, fraud, and irregularities cannot be remembered fondly. They only shouted slogans of good governance but failed to bring real societal change. This is the painful reality of Nepalese politics.

For decades, Nepalese politics has mainly been under the control of hereditary and feudal elites, a corrupt middle class, intermediaries, and brokers. Without understanding the political culture of these actors, one cannot grasp Nepal’s political landscape. Nor can anyone boldly push for political change without this understanding.

Let us begin with the structure that generates such political leadership – one that institutionalized misgovernance and corruption. To date, much of Nepali society is caught in networks of nepotism, sycophancy, behavior, and manipulation. This culture permeates all levels and groups of society. Whether small or large, visible or hidden, this issue affects everyone. Political parties also embody this culture, producing leaders and cadres based on it. Ending this and bringing social morality into political culture is imperative.

The journey toward prosperity will only begin when the office of the Civil Servants’ Trade Union, located near the South Gate of Singha Durbar, is closed. Otherwise, this will remain mere rhetoric.

The race to change not only parties but factions is also intense. Everyone must know that a political party entangled in factionalism and sub-factionalism cannot lead society; such groups are simply a lost cause. This understanding is important not only for new parties and leaders but also for the cadres because the accusations from factions come more from cadres than leaders. Without planting the seeds of democracy within parties soon, the dream of prosperity will be shattered.

Currently, the middle class is influential in politics. Only the development of this class’s culture can improve overall progress but will not bring immediate change to ordinary citizens’ lives. This is evident across all levels in Nepal. The intermediaries represent the jewel of the power structure’s middle class, whose colors change over time. This intellectual group, often involved in political sycophancy, remains active in exploiting power and colludes with a corrupt bureaucracy in illicit activities.

Junior employees with low salaries become shields for corruption as civil service leaders engage in corrupting politics for gain. This leadership culture, maintained by the civil service stepping into political leadership’s shoes, has led to today’s malpractices. The bureaucrats have pressured political leadership to secure their own share.

Those affected say that even though authoritarian political systems have changed, the bureaucratic poison tree planted by the Rana regime and nurtured by feudal lords remains unuprooted. This is the biggest obstacle to development. Prosperity will only begin once the Civil Servants’ Trade Union office near Singha Durbar’s South Gate is blocked. Otherwise, it will remain just talk.

In a changing environment, redefining and reforming politics with a new vision to move forward on the path to prosperity is unavoidable. Holding firm to the belief that neither you nor the nation will change is foolishness.

Without policy, social order cannot be established, and social relations will falter. The bureaucracy, which supports maintaining existing conditions under the cover of self-interest, appears inactive. This has dashed Nepal’s progress dreams for decades. No one speaks about this, and the political leadership largely remains silent for fear of dismantling vested interests within the established corrupt system. This dire situation must compel new leadership to take strong steps; otherwise, Nepalese society’s hopes will perish.

The responsibility to sustain this enthusiasm lies with elected representatives. Ironically, lawmakers who create legislation are the most neglected. Formal approvals for laws are sought, but the bureaucratic leadership weakens these very legislators. This group either acts independently or under orders and is led by a coalition of broker middle-class political leaders and western-educated intellectual intermediaries. Although it may sound like an accusation, this is the harsh reality of our society today. Nevertheless, meaningful initiatives to prevent potential disasters are essential. Without strong internal party democracy, transparent political and administrative leadership, and active civil society, meaningful change is impossible.

Redefining politics in the new environment to advance prosperity is the only viable option. Building oneself, society, and the nation is now a collective responsibility. Persisting in complaints without self-change or societal transformation is futile. To maintain order and curb systemic corruption, immediate actions must be taken:

First, without strong democracy within parties, envisioning a true republic is futile. Factionalism is the cancer affecting all parties and must be eradicated. Parties should be run by representative groups and their cohesive leadership; if not, disillusionment will continue.

Second, without restructuring the civil service, a stable government cannot provide services effectively. The bureaucracy, trapped in serving parties and leaders, is the root of social crimes and current crises. Old dysfunctional mechanisms must be discarded and services revamped in line with new contexts; otherwise, quality service delivery is impossible.

Third, the influence of vested interest groups in policymaking must be legally discouraged. This is challenging as the dominant middle class must learn to become disciplined entrepreneurs; otherwise, broker manipulations will persist. Besides lawmaking and transparency, ethical leadership development must also receive attention, strengthening parliament’s social and executive roles and making representatives accountable.

To make Nepal’s journey to prosperity successful and sustainable, it is essential to dismantle the obstructive bureaucracy. Taxpayers’ money should be used properly, and civil servants must serve as genuine public servants. That day is near and will only be possible when political parties and their leadership evolve into exemplary citizen leadership. Ultimately, Nepal’s vehicle to prosperity can move only when administration is efficient, disciplined drivers operate the system, and everyone changes their mindset. Let us wait, that day will come soon.