Kathmandu:

Inside Out: Political Parties of Nepal is an attempt by a renowned Nepali scholar to understand, assess and identify challenges facing the mainstream political parties of Nepal. The monologue is partially based on a worldwide study of the functioning of political parties conducted by International IDEA, an intergovernmental organisation located at Stockholm. The objective of the project is worth mentioning: “To assist in developing and strengthening political parties so they perform as effective actors of democratisation and good governance, trusted by voters, representative and responsive to public needs and concerns, contributing to public debate, are equipped to support government and a constructive opposition, thus playing a role in ensuring transparency and accountability of government.” (IDEA, 2004, p.3)

After the historic 1990 People’s Movement and establishment of democratic polity in the country, IDEA incorporated Nepali political parties in its studies. To conduct the study, three sets of documents were prepared — one checklist and two sets of questionnaire on the country context, on the legal regime controlling political parties’ workings and on the parties’ structure and functioning. The project focussed on two areas: external regulations controlling the conduct of political parties and parties’ internal functioning.

The book revolves around the analysis of precisely these areas governing the four main parties of the country — Nepali Congress, NC (Democratic), CPN-UML and Rastriya Prajatantra Party.

The author has made an extensive use of official documents. Sources include government documents (constitution and legislation), review of parties’ statutes, regulations and other documents; interviews (party leaders, including women politicians and election commission officers). Besides, evaluating the foundation, splits and mergers, organisational structures, founding objectives, among others, the book also presents a set of challenges facing the Nepali parties and suggests future course of action. It also deals with the crucial role played by the Election Commission in shaping the electoral politics of the country.

It is noteworthy that the author, unlike other Nepali writers, has relied on giving practical information rather than mere impressions about the parties. For instance, the extensive use of survey findings could be beneficial for those interested in learning about the parties. Also, the chapters on candidate selection and election campaign management and funding of the parties, and most importantly, the coalition culture that has come to stay in Nepali politics since the 1990s, could be of great interest especially to students of political science. The simplicity of style and language makes the book an easy read for beginners.

Dr Dwarika Nath Dhungel, currently the executive director of the Institute for Integrated Development Studies (IIDS), which has published the book, has professionally contributed to the study of good governance, administrative reforms and decentralisation. He has written, co-authored and edited a number of books in the past.

Seldom are such books on political parties written in Nepal. But the book, for whatever reasons, has excluded the CPN-Maoist party from its purview.

The political developments from October 2004 to January 2007 are mentioned only in the postscript. Given the crucial role played by the Maoists since 1996, the absence of the party’s analysis can be considered the volume’s major weakness. Also, the author has relied mostly on interviews conducted with the top brass, whereas views from the grassroots-level cadres could have been equally fruitful.

The scope of the study could have been broadened too with the inclusion of regional parties that have emerged as major players in Nepali politics today.

Nevertheless, the author’s thorough and objective analysis would surely contribute to the understanding of the four major parties’ past account, present functioning and their future challenges.