Primary concerns

It is doubtful whether just tweaking the system to pick election candidates will improve politics.

The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has decided to nominate its election candidates through primaries. The party, which pitches for the preservation of conservative social values, has followed in the footsteps of the new Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). The old party has taken a new approach at a time traditional political forces are under tremendous pressure to reflect the broader changes in the society. In the words of the RPP’s senior vice-president Rabindra Mishra, the rank and file is in the stage of reimagining, rebranding and recasting the party. The fact that the pro-monarchy and pro-Hindu party realises the need to recreate and rebrand itself is a positive sign. Every system and organisation needs periodic renewal, both in terms of manpower and structure. But a change made without conceptual clarity and preparation may not have the desired result. No system is good or bad in itself; what counts for more is the intent of its designers.