Nepali Congress’ Shift to Social Democracy is a Step Backwards, Says Bimlendra Nidhi

Nepali Congress’ former vice-president Bimlendra Nidhi has stated that the party’s shift from ‘democratic socialism’ to ‘social democracy’ is a step backwards.

Speaking at a programme organised by the Congress Foundation Day group at the Pragya Bhawan on Wednesday, Nidhi said that BP Koirala’s democratic socialism has been the long-term philosophy of Nepali politics.

Nidhi expressed concern that the party has started discussing ‘social democracy’ after the recent Rashtriya Swatantra Party’s Chitwan general convention, linking it to the Nepali Congress.

BP Koirala’s Philosophy

Nidhi said that BP Koirala’s philosophy of democratic socialism has always been respected and followed by the Nepali Congress.

However, he questioned the party’s shift towards social democracy, calling it a step backwards.

‘If the Nepali Congress has adopted the agenda of social democracy on the occasion of BP Memorial Day, then it is not progress, but a step backwards,’ Nidhi said.

Nidhi emphasized that if the Nepali Congress is committed to BP’s ideology, it should be committed to democratic socialism.

‘If the commitment to democratic socialism is not maintained, and social democracy is adopted instead, it is not something to be proud of,’ he said.

‘It is a step backwards, a regression. I make this accusation, and I want it to be discussed.’