April 30, Kathmandu – Nepali Congress leader Pradip Gyawali has accused the government of moving towards an elected autocratic regime. Speaking at a program on district coordination committee responsibilities on Saturday, Gyawali stated that although he initially planned to remain silent for 100 days, recent government actions have compelled him to speak out.
“There are certain matters that cannot go unspoken, not recorded, or left unaddressed to raise public awareness,” said Gyawali.
Observing the government’s approach, he expressed concern that the democratic rights attained by the Nepali people through long struggles are under threat of restriction. He recalled that during the Panchayat era of 1964, the first rights won by the Nepalese people through struggle were those of independent student unions. “At that time, political parties were banned, leaders were imprisoned, yet students fought for and secured the right to independent student unions in 1964. Today, there is an announcement to curtail those rights,” he said.
He further emphasized that the constitution guarantees the rights of trade unions. “Yes, distortions can occur within trade unions, student organizations, and even political parties. But using alleged distortions within parties as grounds to envision a party-less system is unacceptable,” Gyawali remarked.
He reminded listeners of a similar move by King Mahendra in 1960. Highlighting restrictions imposed even on independent media advertising to curb their strength, he said, “This is tantamount to prohibition. The same situation prevails on social media, where an organized group attempts to suppress different opinions by forming alliances to obstruct healthy debate and even perpetrate violence against dissenters.”
Gyawali characterized all these activities as signs of entering an elected autocratic system. “I am concerned that we are witnessing preliminary indications that we are moving towards elected autocracy and undemocratic rule,” he concluded.
