Former President asserts that good political integrity is essential to further strengthen Republican system

Former President Ram Baran Yadav asserted that it was necessary to establish the rule of law and good political values so as to further strengthen the republican system of governance.

At an interaction organized by Shailaja Acharya Adarsha Samaj here Monday, former President Dr Yadav spoke of the need for everyone to work towards ensuring good-governance and controlling corruption by weeding out the anomalies plaguing the political parties in the country. "The overall governance system will be good if there is a republican system," said the first President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, viewing that the republic system would be stronger if we could move ahead acknowledging and revering the contributions of the senior and old leaders. Expressing his concern over eroding political integrity and honesty in politics, he argued that political bickering when it comes to State mechanism and constitutional bodies among others and partisan interests had weakened democracy.

On the occasion, he spoke highly of late female politician Shailaja Acharya for her contribution and sacrifice in establishing democracy and republican system and opined that it would mean real reverence towards late Acharya if the leadership would transfer her political integrity and ideals among the youths for them to imbibe those virtues. Calling for reforms in political parties, he said that bickering in distribution of tickets to leaders and cadres to contest elections prevailing in the democratic party was a cause for concern. Also speaking in the programme, former Speaker Damannath Dhungana worried that waning culture of values and ideals in politics and rampant and ever-growing corruption and anomalies would weaken the democracy as well as republican system. While the honest and good individuals suffered self-esteem issues, he ruled that the corrupted ones were still commanding respect. He said that it was challenging to take forward the legacy and values upheld by the late Acharya among the new generations. Senior journalist Hari Bahadur Thapa worried that the word ''honesty'' was being endangered lately while criminals were being organized. He underscored the need for everyone to consistently play the role of watchdog to safeguard parliamentary system and republican system. He shared that late Acharya had made a significant contribution in further consolidating the republican system, combating corruption and promoting good-governance.

Parliamentarian Kamala Pant pointed out the need to move ahead by emulating ideals and values of late Acharya for elimination of corruption and promotion of good-governance. IPAN President Krishna Prasad Acharya recalled the important role played by late Acharya in development and promotion of hydro power projects. On the occasion, former President Dr Yadav feted journalist Hari Bahadur Thapa in recognition of his role in promoting good-governance through investigative journalism.