Time To Set Things Right

Prem N. Kakkar

THERE is more delay with each passing day. This is in connection with the holding of the constituent assembly (CA) elections. There is a commitment from all to the CA polls. However, the delay is sending the wrong message to the people. In fact, with the varied statements of many a political leader, the people seem to be confused about the polls.

Practical problems

It is true that the polls will be held at a later date, as the date fixed earlier is not practical. But there are some who have been saying that the polls will not be held, which is totally baseless. The CA polls will be held, but the date is yet to be agreed upon by the eight political parties. This is important, but in recent days, there is growing concern over whether the unity among the eight parties will last any longer.

Earlier, there used to be regular meetings of the top leaders of the concerned parties, but now they have become fewer. This may lead to the assumption of some coldness in the relationship. However, all the top leaders talk of maintaining unity and trust among the parties. All the parties have given their word to keep the unity intact, but action speaks otherwise. It is rather unfortunate that the leaders talk their way and do not listen to the people in general. The people, after all their sacrifices, expect the leaders to act responsibly and sincerely.Meanwhile, rhetoric is making inroads instead of real action to convert the gains made since the April uprising into tangible results. The foremost is the holding of the elections that will the biggest event in the history of the country. The demand for the CA elections has been there since the past half a century. The opportunity is here, and it has to be tapped. This so at a time when the sovereignty and supremacy of the people have been established. Of course, there are complexities that need to be addressed so that the path ahead can be clear.

As every change since the past one year has been decided by the eight political parties, they cannot shy away from their responsibilities now and come up with conflicting agendas. The agenda had long been fixed, and it has to be adhered to by all the eight parties. There may be differences in opinion among them, but they have to be resolved.Herein, the importance of talks is important. In the past, many historic decisions were made on the basis of mutual understanding and trust. There is no doubt that the same thing can continue now. The contentious issues have to be discussed so that a way out can be decided upon. Instead of trying to evade each other, all must sit down and work.There may be lapses on the part of one party or the other. They must be pointed out so that they can be rectified. This is necessary because all the parties are responsible to the people, and petty party interests must not be allowed to disturb the smooth peace process that is underway.

In this respect, blaming one leader or the other cannot solve the problem. What is needed is a straight and frank discussion among the concerned. When all sit together, the problems can be discussed, and the appropriate panacea sought. This is where mutual trust and understanding can play a big role. One thing to be kept in mind is that the all the participants of the eight political parties have their own ideologies, and they stick to it.Despite all this, it was quite encouraging to see them join hands in overthrowing the regressive regime. When so much was done on the basis of eight-party unity, it is not understandable why all of a sudden there is uncertainty. In this, all the leaders of the eight parties must think and warm their relations. This is necessary because the mission with which they forged unity is yet to be accomplished, namely, the constituent assembly elections.

Hurdles

It is, therefore, clear that the unity must be maintained at all cost till the CA polls. This is obvious as there are elements that want to create hurdles on the way to the polls. It makes it all the more imperative for the eight parties to tread the path unitedly to thwart any malevolent activities of those who do not want to see all inclusive and lasting peace established in the country.

Source: The Rising Nepal, May 4, 2007