Private sector to hold debate with political parties on election, development

The private sector is going to hold a debate with the political parties on their political agenda next week.

The senior party leaders from nine political parties will vie for voter support in a national debate sponsored by Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) on Wednesday, said president of the FNCCI Suraj Vaidya here today.

The debate will provide the public an opportunity to submit questions and hear directly from the party leaders, while providing them with a moderated venue to present their views," he said, adding that they will discuss on the country’s political and economic development.

The political parties must implement the economic agendas they have promised in their election manifestos, Vaidya added.

The aim of the debate is to have a constructive discussion based on the political parties’ manifestos so voters can judge their political options and make an informed choice on election day.

The debate allows unscripted questions from voters, serving the critical role of allowing citizens to shape the debate and define the issues important for these elections, informed NDI-Nepal country director Kenza Aqertit, on the occasion.

FNCCI – the umbrella organisation of private sector – established to promote business and industry while protecting the rights and interests of business and industrial communities, has been lobbying for business-friendly environment in the country. It has also been forcing the political parties to agree on minimum economic agendas till the new Constitution is prepared by the Constituent Assembly election that is going to be held on November 14. Earlier it had organised separate discussion with major political parties asking them to include economic agenda in their election manifestos.

Likewise, NDI – an international non-profit, non-governmental organisation working to strengthen and expand democracy worldwide – is supported by generous assistance of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Such a debate is being held in Biratnagar today.

UCPN –Maoist, Nepali Congress (NC), Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist-Leninist (CPN-UML), Madhesi Jana Adhikar Forum Nepal-Democratic (MJFN-D), Madhesi Jana Adhikar Forum, Nepal (MJF-N), RastriyaPrajatantra Party (RPP), Tarai-Madhesh Democratic Party Nepal (TMDP), Sadbhavana Party (SP) and CPN-ML will participate in the debate.