KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 30

Netizens have taken a toll on Rastriya Swatantrata Party proportional representation candidates terming exploitation and exclusion of the system. Many people have sarcastically stated on social media that they need to buy followers to meet the RSP proportional list. "The proportional list of the RSP appears to contradict the essence of the Gen Z movement. Why do we need a new party if we keep making the same mistakes? Why should we accept this? The question will arise for sure," reads Prabin Kafle's post.

RSP filed a list of 110 proportional candidates with the Election Commission yesterday. Following lengthy discussions throughout the day to bring Energy Minister Kulman Ghisingh on board, the RSP submitted the closed list of proportional candidates late Monday night. The RSP's closed list includes some celebrity faces, including Anushka Shrestha, former Miss Nepal. She has won the title of Miss Nepal 2019. Prakash Saput, a popular singer, is also included in the Dalit cluster. Similarly, actress Reema Bishwakarma has been added to the list.

The list also includes filmmaker and television presenter Asif Shah, as well as singers Satyakala Rai and Trisala Gurung. Similarly, the list includes cricketer Gyanendra Malla, Dr Ram Lama, Khushbusarkar Shrestha, Mingma Gyabu Sherpa and Dr Manohar Pradhan.

Vidushi Rana, executive director of Goldstar Shoe Company, and Pratibha Rawal from Khas Arya Women are also on the list. The proportional list includes Mohana Ansari, a former member of the National Human Rights Commission; Urmila Chaudhary, a rights activist and Dr Ramji Ram.

While these names appear to be fine, as they have established themselves in their respective fields, netizens have expressed frustration, claiming that the candidates were chosen based on their popularity on social media platforms.

According to them, the PR system is for marginalised and excluded communities who are still struggling for their voice.

It's obvious who the proportional representation was intended for, according to Gen Z leader Bhawana Raut's post. "However, the question now is: Who got it? Those with the power, money, access and identity to run for office felt no shame when they were placed on the proportional list. Is this what the movement was about? Is this what the people's struggle and bloodshed were for?" she questioned.

"To put the Sudurpaschim, Madhes, Dalits and Janajatis at the forefront of the movement, while only the city's 'branded faces' sit in positions of power and decision-making? This is not a representation; it is open deception. Shouldn't those who call themselves 'alternatives' take more responsibility? How can you claim to be new by repeating the injustices done by the old ones?"

She argued in her post that artists, cricketers and singers have the resources to contest elections, the field and the media. "PR for those who always find the door of opportunity closed. What kind of politics is this, stealing the rights of others and selling evolution'? "Such a character does not change the system; such a character destroys trust. And when trust dies, there is no alternative left," she wrote in her post.

Hira Devi Lama sarcastically stated in her post that it appears that the 'proportional system' is for TikTok users, vloggers, alleged activists, those who go viral on social media, those who can be listed in nominations by paying Rs 50,000, and those who live in Kathmandu and other major cities in the country!

"People from far-flung corners shed blood to bring this system about, but the elite, the urbanites, are taking advantage of it," reads her post. "Shame on you!"

"A growing disenchantment with proportional representation, federalism and even democracy in Nepal is not a failure of these systems themselves but of cunning politicians who have rigged them to serve their own interests - their parties, families and networks - rather than the country or the spirit in which these political arrangements were hard-won," reads Mahesh Kushwaha's post.

"The ongoing circus around PR nominations has only laid this bare. It has exposed the hypocrisy of so-called new parties and the shamelessness of the old ones alike."

According to Prince Shah, the proportional representation system serves a deeper purpose. This system is intended to bring people to Parliament who have intellectual, capable leadership skills, can clearly raise the voice of their community, and have had few opportunities for expression and advocacy, rather than just popular or wellknown figures.

"What is the difference between the old and new socalled parties if they both prioritise popularity, access and familiarity on the PR list? The proportional system should not be used solely for 'tokenism of diversity'," reads his post.

"Is modern leadership all about replacing old elites with new, younger elites?" asked political commentator Bikash Gupta in a recent post.