Surendra Pande, leader of the CPN-UML, has emphasized that Nepal’s political parties need to reassess their class bases. Pande asserted that no party can achieve a majority by ignoring the 83 percent middle class. He also warned that the upcoming definition of nationalism must be ‘economic nationalism’ and urged parties to abandon the old underground-era mindset. Kathmandu, 14th Baisakh.
Speaking at a seminar on ‘Madan Bhandari, Social Unity, and Nation Building’ organized by the Madan Bhandari Foundation, Pande noted that understanding Nepal’s changing social structure and international situation is crucial for political success. He argued that old-style politics can no longer address the demands of the present.
Highlighting the need for political parties to reconsider their class foundations, Pande stated, “Only considering 17 percent of the population while ignoring the dominant 83 percent middle class means no party can secure a majority anymore. When the party was founded in 2006 BS, over 90 percent of the population was poor, but the reality today is different. Currently, only 17.4 percent live below the poverty line, while 83 percent belong to the middle class. Do we seek solutions only from books and mechanical elements, or from real life? Life itself is paramount, not just books,” he said.
Discussing the relevance of multiparty democracy (Jabaj), Pande recalled that Madan Bhandari always prioritized living realities over classical theory. He stressed that parties must abandon the underground-era mentality and control-oriented approaches. “The new generation will not be able to enter politics if the old mindsets remain unchanged. Madan Bhandari elevated the Nepali revolution to new heights by grounding it in vibrant facts while communist movements worldwide remained defensive,” he added.
Pande concluded by asserting that the forthcoming nationalism should be defined as ‘economic nationalism.’
