Collective Spirit A Must

Prem N. Kakkar

THE enthusiasm and commitment with which the first anniversary of the April revolution was marked as Loktantra Day was quite encouraging. It gave the political leaders, the civil society and the people in general an opportunity to evaluate the gains that had been made in the past one year and the shortcomings as well. What was interesting was that the political leaders came up with clear ideas for further steps to be taken in the run up to the constituent assembly (CA) election.

CA polls

The focus in the recent times and on Loktantra Day as well dwelt on the CA elections. The commitment of all is there, but the delay has been quite pressing on the eight political parties that are represented on the interim government. It is true that the transition phase is characterised by many problems. And this is the reason why the date for the CA polls has not been declared so far. In principle, the leaders of the eight political parties had agreed on June 20, but the Election Commission's statement that it needs 110 days to hold the election set in motion the uncertainty.Meanwhile, the meting of the eight political parties, too, has not taken place in recent times to thrash out various issues including, predominantly, the date for the polls. This is quite disconcerting, given that the eight parties want to maintain unity all along. So far there is broad agreement on working together though now and then minor issues do crop up. This is not unusual with parties that have different ideologies. This calls for compromises. They all realise that this is crucial for achieving the objectives set forth.

Herein, it may be important to mention that all the leaders talk of the mandate of the people in high flying rhetoric. Yes, the people had given the mandate by participating in such great numbers during Jana Andolan II, the success of which has led to the present times and the political situation. Even now the focus is on the CA polls as it will elect the representatives to frame a new all-inclusive constitution to take the country forward. In it the dream of a new Nepal is ever present. But on the question of creating a new Nepal, very little information seems to be coming from the leaders concerned. First of all, the need for sincerity must be there among all the parties. To say one thing during a meeting and then go out on an assault later on at mass meetings do not behoove well on their part.In recent times, the blame game, too, is picking up, with mud slinging in full swing. This is not good for the times that the country is passing through. It is true that every person has the right to put forth his or her viewpoints or ideas. This truly calls for discussion. This is a time when new ideas must come up, and the stakeholders must discuss them thoroughly. For the moment, the Maoists have decided to declare a republic from the legislature parliament. At the same time, the CPN-UML wants a referendum to decide the fate of the monarchy.

They are suggestions, but they carry weight. This calls for full debate and discussions. On the issue of monarchy, the Nepali Congress has always maintained that the CA will decide on its fate. Here lies the bone of contention among the parties that are in the government.The government is there, but it works only on the direction of the eight parties. So blaming the government for something may not seem appropriate. It is the top leaders of the eight parties that decide on the future course of action. This necessarily means that the eight political parties are responsible for everything that is taking place in the political front. As for the announcement of the date for the CA polls, it is up to the leaders of the eight political parties to decide. They should make it their foremost agenda and hold the meet as fast as possible to remove doubts and confusion among the people.

Foundation

Instead of stalling the proceedings of the legislature parliament, the leaders of the eight political parties must come up with definite plans to resolve the various issues that have surfaced. It needs collective effort from all. In this, blaming this or that person for whatever has happened is not appropriate. A collective effort is most important at the moment. In this rests the foundation on which the CA polls will be held in all earnest.

Source: The Rising Nepal, April 27, 2007