Bridging Divides Before Election

The dialogue initiated under the leadership of President Ram Chandra Paudel on Friday marks a welcome and necessary step toward creating a conducive environment for the upcoming House of Representatives (HoR) elections. At this critical juncture, Prime Minister Sushila Karki must now continue this process with sincerity and commitment, while leaders of all political parties must cooperate to ensure that the polls are held on time in a free and fair environment. This move to open the door for dialogue among political parties is welcome development as this can help restore mutual trust and stability. The government and the major political parties were not in communication even nearly a month after the formation of the new government post Gen Z movement. But the meeting that was convened by President Paudel has rekindled hopes for consensus and cooperation. The effort to win the confidence of political parties must focus squarely on ensuring that the scheduled elections for the HoR are conducted smoothly and without delay. The meeting is particularly significant as political tensions and mistrust have grown in recent weeks. Aggressive behaviour and sharp verbal attacks by leaders on both sides have deepened divisions. Yet, these divisions can only be bridged through dialogue, not confrontation. The country cannot afford further uncertainty when the restoration of democratic governance depends on holding timely, credible and inclusive elections.