The ‘Panchayat-isation’ of Sher Bahadur Deuba

Sher Bahadur Deuba, a prominent figure in Nepal's democratic history, presents a complex contradiction: a leader who once fought against the authoritarian Panchayat system now appears to embody its political culture. Having endured imprisonment and dedicated decades to the Nepali Congress, including five terms as prime minister, Deuba's journey is marked by a transition from a pro-democracy activist to a figure whose public persona increasingly resembles the system he once opposed. This phenomenon is termed the 'Panchayat-isation' of Deuba.

The author clarifies that this is not an assertion that Deuba has become a literal 'Panch,' but rather that his political style has adopted a metaphorical resemblance. Deuba's repeated public declarations of "I am a Hindu" illustrate this shift. While religious faith is a personal right, its linkage to political organization, national identity, and mobilization transforms it from a private matter into a political statement. This is where the core contradiction in Deuba's political trajectory surfaces.

A hallmark of the Panchayat system was the elevation of the individual leader above institutional structures. The king served as the ultimate source of legitimacy, limiting political debate and prioritizing leadership, discipline, and power over collective decision-making and citizen participation. Democracy, conversely, promises a system where leaders are representatives, parties are built on ideas and organization, and citizens are active questioners. However, the article notes that changing the institutional framework does not always alter the underlying political culture.

'Panchayat-isation' manifests in various forms, including excessive reverence for leaders, intolerance of questioning, the dominance of individuals over party structures, the assumption of natural political succession, and prioritizing personal convenience over citizen welfare. Deuba, belonging to a generation that actively opposed the Panchayat system, has become a poignant symbol of this cultural shift. His political legacy now faces scrutiny regarding whether a democratic party's future should remain tethered to a single, past-generation personality, highlighting a broader crisis within the Nepali Congress.