Don't Dissociate

The Nepal Sadbhavana Party (Anandadevi) has called back its representative Minister Rajendra Mahat from the government, arguing that the grievances raised by the Madhesi people could not be redressed by being the part of the government alone. In a statement issued Monday, Nepal Sadbhavana Party made it clear that the organisation will remain committed to the eight party alliance and extend support to the government even though it has formally withdrawn from the government. There may be several excuses for the Terai-based party to quit the government. But the question is whether it was the right time for the party to dissociate itself from the ruling dispensation because it is a time when a united and associated approach is necessary to address the problems faced by the country. One must mention that the Nepal Sadbhavana Party (Anandadevi) has always been apart of the national democratic movement in the country.

It has always thrown its weight behind the democratic movement in the country and allied with the forces ranged against authoritarianism. Take the instance of the democratic people's movement accomplished one-and-a-half years ago. The party was at the forefront raising revolting against autocracy. When the citadel of authoritarianism collapsed, it was an important architect in the process of conflict resolution and political transition in the country. When the issue of Madhesh was raised by other actors, including the Madhesi People's Rights Forum, more articulately and vehemently, there was an impression that the political monopoly of Nepal Sadbhavana Party as the singular representative of the Terai issue was being challenged. The party sought to project a bolder image as the sole, democratic and legitimate agent of the Terai people. Its representative in the government, Hridayesh Tripathi, had also resigned from the government, citing explicit displeasure with what was alleged as the indifferent attitude of the government towards resolving the issues of Madhesh. However, the present announcement regarding the dissociation of the Nepal Sadbhavana Party has come at a time when the country is nearing the elections to the constituent assembly. The party should reconsider its decision and be part of the government to add more weight to the resolution of the problem.

Source: The Rising Nepal, August 8, 2007