Time To Brace For Elections

WHETHER it is in the general social life or the Gai Jatra, the topic of the Constituent Assembly polls is bound to crop up. Much hope is pinned on the Constituent Assembly elections. In fact, the very future of the country and the people depends on it.

It needs no reminder that the polls are a mere 82 days away. It may not be the culminating point as the new constitution has to be drafted by the Constituent Assembly that will represent the people from all groups in the country. Yet, the lacklustre performance of the political parties in the run up to the election is a matter of worry.Some minor hiccups have been impeding the political parties from jumping into the bandwagon. Some parties are engaged in their own internal affairs while others have come up with plans and programmes.Herein, it is worthwhile noting that the 22-point programme put forward by the CPN (Maoist) has generated much debate among the other parties. The Maoists say that their struggle will continue both in the House as well as in the streets. They have been emphatic on the point that they are not against the CA election but want to create a conducive environment through their movement. If that is the case, then it is in the interest of the people and the country. The Maoists have said and expressed what they want to do, and the manner that they have decided upon. This is something transparent and gives the people an idea of their stance. Whether it is liked by the other parties or not, it has to be accepted as the Maoists have now entered mainstream national politics.

The other political parties, too, should come up with their plans and programmes, considering the fact that the election is round the corner. At the moment, much focus is also on the unification of the Nepali Congress and the Nepali Congress (Democratic). That is also related to the united stand for the election. It will be an important event when they stand together in the CA fray.As for the CPN (UML), it has already initiated its election campaign. So far, it is the only party that has begun a campaign in earnest. So far the campaign has been concentrated in the Kathmandu Valley only. There is a need to spread out.The call for going to the villages and districts has not yet begun as the scenario shows. It is for all the parties that profess unity - the eight parties in particular - that must motivate themselves to reach places where the majority of the people live. It is there that they must focus their attention as the people there lack awareness regarding the CA, its importance and the polls for it. No party has devised an education programme for it. The reason is that Kathmandu serves as the base with the other parts of the country not getting the due priority.There may be problems in the Terai region, but the parties can make a foray into the hills and other remote parts of the country. This also has not come about in the absence of concrete programmes. It seems that the eight parties are still grappling with some differences. One issue has presumably been solved, namely, the nomination of the ambassadors to 20 countries. That had been a contentious issue. It has been resolved but after a long delay. It can be hoped that the various missions will have chiefs to conduct activities in the interest of the country. There may be some misgivings, yet the nominations have been completed, which is a matter of relief.

Manifesto

When the greatest event of the country is only months away, and talks of unity has been made time and again by the eight party leadership, it is hard to understand why they are delaying in venturing onto the election turf. Moreover, none of the parties has made their CA election manifesto public. That is the document that they have to take to the people during the election campaign. Maybe they might have their own reasons for delaying. But now is not the time to procrastinate but to get wholeheartedly into the game as the Election Commission is said to have made the necessary preparations and now wants the political players to take to the field.

Source: The Rising Nepal, August 31