Chinese President Xi Jinping [File photo]

Nepal's Constitution promulgated through the Constituent Assembly (CA) in 2015 has enshrined "socialism" as an aspired principle of the nation for the first time in its history. The preamble states that Nepal shall move forward on a path of socialism by adopting democratic values and norms including a people's competitive multi-party democratic system, fundamental human rights, periodic elections, freedom of expression, and an independent and impartial judiciary to ensure the rule of law.

Though there is no single understanding of the terminology "socialism" among the political parties involved in the promulgation, the "document of compromise," scholars believe that "socialism" stated in Nepal's constitution refers to a liberal school of socialism which sometimes is known as "humanitarian socialism" or "market socialism" interchangeably. 

Yet, with the fresh announcement of the unification of the two largest communist parties in Nepal holding a nearly two-thirds majority in the federal parliament, a debate on a new model of communist "socialism with Nepali characteristics" is in the limelight once again.  

The Communist Party of Nepal, Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN UML) and the Communist Party of Nepal Maoist Centre (CPN MC) have agreed to form a unified party in the mold of socialism along the line of the Marxist-Leninist ideology as the new party's guiding principle. 

Contrary to the assumptions that a power sharing deal between two supreme leaders would be the toughest task, the final round of unification talks was paused for days, after intensive debate emerged regarding the "guiding thought." 

Currently, CPN UML's guiding principle is the "People's Multi-Party Democracy" (PMD) that was propounded by the late Madan Kumar Bhandari in 1993. Whereas, CPN Maoist's directorial thought has been "21st Century People's Democracy" which is an advanced version of the "Prachanda Path" (aka Prachanda Way), a revolutionary political thought crafted by CPN Maoist Centre's leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda" in 2001. 

Bhandari, who was also criticized by some hardliners as a "corrupt communist" by opting for a parliamentary model for communism, claimed his ideology to be the most "constructive adaptation of Marxism" citing the dissolution of the Soviet Union as a serious setback to Marxists and the need for a unique approach. Whereas, "Prachanda Path" is said to have been inspired by Peru's "Shining Path" propounded by Abimael Guzmán (aka Gonzalo). Some left-wing analysts criticize MC's latest narrative as a mere replication of PDM in cloak synonyms. 

As per the agreement, the new party will be named Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) and both thoughts will be deliberated upon as the ideological guidelines of the party at the national congress which is scheduled to be held within a year and a half.

Whereas in China, as an acculturated version of "Mao Zedong Thought" and "Deng Xiaoping Theory," Xi's thought has been described as the best assessment of the change in the "principal contradiction" faced by Chinese society. Xi believes, "the new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics offers a new option for other nations who want to speed up their development while preserving their independence; and it offers Chinese wisdom and a Chinese approach to solving the problems facing mankind."

The consecutive socialist thoughts invented in China have considerable impact in Nepal's communist parties; the nomenclature of Maoist Centre itself is an illustration. If we observe responses on social media in the aftermath of 19th National Congress of the CPC, and the introduction of the Xi Thought in China's Constitution, it is clear that there is a desire for similar thought with Nepali characteristics. 

During Xi's era, China has significantly enhanced its "soft power" across the globe via traditional and cultural exchanges. At the same time Chinese willingness to share its development experiences with its neighbors like Nepal through the BRI with an aim to gaining prosperity together is manifested. BRI and Xi Thought now have become inseparable entities. 

Social impacts of Xi thought in Nepal are obvious. Leaders admit the possible influences of "Xi Jinping Thought" in their guiding principle as it is the latest constructive version of communist-socialism. 

MC leader Mani Thapa, who is considered to be much closer to Chairman Prachanda, opines that with the conglomeration of "Xi Jinping Thought" by CPC, a new discussion on socialism has begun. "As the CPC has adopted ‘Xi Jinping Thought' as a guiding principle it has obviously offered a new subject of debate on socialism," says Thapa.  

After the completion of three-tier elections, Nepal is on the brink of its most defining time of the age. Given the locus between two emerging economies in the world i.e. China and India, and almost a sole dependency on India in terms of trade and supply, Nepal has the challenge of balancing the two giant neighbors to gain long aspired prosperity. 

If the Xi Jinping Thought is a manifestation of renewal of national confidence and aspiration of "prosperity together," Nepal's ruling CPN has a challenge of at least orienting the nation towards such direction. Thus, Xi Thought is sure to have an understandable influence in Nepal, especially in the hunt for the new guiding principle of the CPN. 

Saroj Gautam writes on International Relations and Diplomacy from Kathmandu. Gautam is associated with AP1HD Television in Nepal. 

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.

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