"Wealth does not bring goodness, but goodness brings wealth," said Socrates, a citizen of Athens, who fought against Crimea and back at home, educated Athenians on issues such as wisdom, courage, piety and justice, and received the death verdict from the judicial court.

Though he died more than two millennia ago, like the Buddha, the academics of the world still remember him with reverence as the father of Western philosophy.

The people who took his life are not known to anyone.

The purpose of quoting the saying of Socrates here is to tell how goodness brings wealth that makes people remember someone thousands of years after they die.

The people of Nepal are now tired of the political leaders who have brought harm to this country in every sphere of the nation's life in the form of corruption, nepotism, unemployment, political infighting, foreign interference and instability.

Thriving industries, which employed thousands of youths, were sold and scrapped. Agricultural production that was once in surplus has become a dream of the past.

All the top political leaders are said to be involved in cases of corruption: Wide Body Scandal, Yeti Holding, Batas Resort, Chandra Giri Cable Car, Lalita Niwas, Ncell, Narrow Body and Bottlers Nepal. All these scams have been covered by the media openly, but the leaders behind them have maintained a silence that is deafening.

Another issue at stake for the people is the misalliance of our political leaders with foreign powers. The people believe most of them are at their beck and call. Nepal's strategic location is gaining importance with the emergence of China as the second most powerful nation globally. It is believed that the economic growth of China and its strategic project, BRI, is a threat to the USA in the world order. To counter this threat and maintain its position, America is planning to counter China. Nepal's proximity to the Tibet Autonomous Region of China in such a context makes it all the more strategic. Some believe the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact and SPP are part of the American counter-strategy.

Likewise, people are worried about the Citizenship Bill that was sent to the President for approval. The bill triggered a controversythat refuses to die: in its original form it will invite a large number of Indians who tomorrow will outnumber the indigenous Nepalis. Earlier, the same bill, submitted by former Prime Minister Oli was instantly approved by the President, but the Supreme Court had rejected it. The Maoist leader Prachanda,nicknamed "Mr Comfortable", is believed to be instrumental in forwarding the bill in the House after returning from a short visit to India.

The victims of the insurgency are still suffering from various problems. But Mr. Comfortable is blamed for embezzling funds that were allotted for the victims of the Maoist insurgency.

The leaders are also blamed for compromising with India over the major rivers of the country on hydroelectric projects. Themajor rivers, such as the Koshi, Gandaki and Mahakali, have been handed over to India. Prime Minister Deuba and former Prime Minister Oli have been regarded as the key culprits behind such damaging deals.

People's hope for a complete change, free from the goons, buffoons, conmenand their cronies has become a dream. The people were expecting many Balens and Sampangs to be elected in the general election held on November 20.

Sadly, it did not materialise.

The "No, Not Again" campaign could not dispose of the unwanted elements.

Most of the old leaders and the cronies are back again. They are above 70 years old and have amassed huge amounts of wealth through corruption and fraudulence.

Despite the rejection andhate displayed by the people, they are again trying to stick to power. As per the election result, no one party has secured enough number of House seats to form a government of their own. They are busy bargaining with one another for the prime ministership and important portfolios.

As per the result, Nepali Congress has become the first and CPN-UML the second largest party.

Some believe, the Americans were behind the formation of the present government of the alliance, which will step down after the newly-elected House forms the government.

Deuba being pro-American, America will once again try to install him as the Prime Minister. One the other hand, as per media reports, Indians are already busy in Kathmandu to form a government in their favour. In that case, Prachanda could be a suitable candidate for the post. Let us not forget that the great dramatist, Oli, will try to appease and placate India as before. He will sacrifice or forget the slogan "Kalapani, Lipulek and Limpiadhura" which he promised to bring back during his election campaign. People know that Oli is an opportunist.

Many a time, he has tried to project himself as a great nationalist, which proved fragile. Whatever he promised during the last election campaign did not materialise, although he was prime minister for more than three years.

Our northern neighbour China wants Nepal to support the "One China" policy, which Nepal has always been doing, but may have doubts in the future if the government is to be led by Deuba. China is also worried about Nepal's foreign policy and the influence of outsiders in Nepal. China wants Nepal to maintain its foreign policy of non-alignment that it has been adopting since the Panchayat era. It also wants to bring the leftist parties together to prevent anti-China activities In Nepal.

Last but not the least, some years back, a Chinese visitor said "Nepal is begging in a golden bowl".

True, rich in resources, Nepal could also be facilitating transit trade between the two giant economies.

Political leaders with vision and commitment could exploit these advantages and resources with the help of experts, devoid of personal interest. Alas! they are back again.

Gauchan is a retired Lieutenant Colonel of the Nepal Army

A version of this article appears in the print on December 9, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.