Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli today told the cadres of China's ruling Communist Party that Nepal has adopted a competitive multi-party system of governance while the country's communist movement, though committed to Marxism, respects diversity and plurality.
Oli, also the Chairman of the ruling Communist Party of Nepal (CPN), is currently on a five-day visit to China and addressed cadres of the elite Central Party School of the Communist Party of China (CPC) here.
Speaking on the theme, 'Role of Political Parties in Governance and Prosperity,' Oli said, political parties hold the key to development, prosperity and good governance.
"They are the lead actors. They not only steer the present political course of a country but also shape its future directions," the 66-year-old leader said at the Central Party School, the higher education institution which specifically trains officials for the CPC.
"We have adopted competitive multi-party system of governance with constitutional supremacy, periodic elections, human rights, check and balance as well as separation of powers, and independent judiciary, among others.
"Such appropriation in our communist movement is to address the heterogeneous and diverse socio-cultural edifice of Nepali society. We respect diversity and plurality but remain committed to the thrust of Marxism," he said.
China is a one-party state in which the Communist Party of China (CPC) monopolises political power. The CPC is the ruling party ever since the People's Republic was founded in 1949.
Oli's China visit is taking place a month after the launch of the CPN, a new communist party in Nepal, with the merger of the two leftist parties CPN (UML) and CPN (Maoist Centre).
Oli said the 70-year long history of the communist movement in Nepal has experienced highs and lows.
He recalled that international communist movement was facing an upheaval at the time when the ideology of people's multiparty democracy was being propounded in Nepal.
"Based on the assumption of innovative use of Marxism, we focused on the distinctive attributes of Nepali society and practiced Marxism accordingly," he told the CPC cadres.
"This left an extraordinary mark in our society," he said, according to transcript of Oli's speech published online by Myrepublica website.
"The idea of people's multiparty democracy contributed enormously in popularising the communist movement, establishing its legitimacy and steering the movement ahead amidst adverse circumstances on both domestic and external fronts," he said.
The Nepal Communist Party enjoys almost two-thirds majority in federal parliament, Oli said.
"The people have given us the mandate to run the government for political stability and economic prosperity.
"We believe the success of our movement in Nepal will be something which all the communists worldwide can cherish. Our topmost priority, at present, is to attain economic prosperity to match our political achievements," he said.
"Our policies and programmes aim at preparing a foundation for socialism. Our vision is to establish people's government through peaceful means of democratic competition," he said.
"Given these contexts of our two countries (Nepal and China), I believe that we have our own unique ways of pursuing socialism," Oli said.
He also said that one must understand that no political party can advance the socialist cause, if it is detached from the political realities of a country.
"It is in line with this notion that we have taken recourse to competitive multi-party system in Nepal. We have localised and contextualised Marxism and socialism as per our unique and distinct needs and challenges," he said.
The role of a communist party is unique and special like a torch bearer, Oli said.
"That's why, the leading role of the communist party is necessary for prosperity and governance. We think such a role can be obtained through competition and initiation," he said.
There can be no single formula for political parties to follow. For them to champion as the agents of development and good governance, they must internalise the revolutionary spirit with a sole objective of serving the common people and their aspirations.
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