Pay Heed To Maoist Concerns

Yuba Nath Lamsal

Recent remarks by Maoist Chairman Prachanda have created ripples in the Nepalese political spectrum. In an interaction with the civil society members and professionals in Kathmandu, comrade Prachanda had raised serious doubts over the holding of a free and fair election to a Constituent Assembly scheduled for November 22 this year. According to Prachanda, an environment for the elections has yet not been created, and in such a situation, the genuine verdict of the people may not be reflected in the Constituent Assembly election.

Poor security

His concerns include the poor security situation in some districts of the Terai, interference by some external forces and activities of the feudal elements against the new political process. The concerns and issues raised by the Maoist chief are genuine. The law and order situation at present is poor especially in the Terai. Some groups there have raised arms and resorted to criminal activities like intimidation, killing, abduction and extortion. As a result, many people have fled their homes for fear of their lives. The government employees, who are to conduct the elections, also do not feel safe. Hence, voters cannot freely participate in the election and give their verdict. The other issue is related to the monarchy. Although the monarchy is down, it is not out. The regressive and rightist elements under the protection and patronage of the monarchy are active in derailing the present peace and political process. The Constituent Assembly election is a historic process at making the people sovereign in the real sense and restructuring the state and ensuring inclusive democracy and a just society. The necessity of the Constituent Assembly election had been felt and demanded in 1951, and it had been agreed that elections to it would be held right after the political change then that toppled the century-old Rana family rule and established a multi-party political system. It was the monarchy that aborted the process for the Constituent Assembly election in 1951, although the then king himself had promised to hold it. Thus, historic developments have proved that the monarchy has been the main hurdle in democratic consolidation since 1951.

It has also been proved that the monarchy and the Constituent Assembly cannot go together. Nowhere in the world have the two gone hand in hand. One must be compromised for the other. And there has been a wave for republicanism, and it is almost certain that the monarchy would go if the Constituent Assembly election were held in a free and fair manner. Thus, monarchists in collusion with some external forces and fundamentalist elements are hatching a conspiracy to sabotage the process for the election with the feeble hope that the monarchy will survive. The election to the Constituent Assembly may not be possible as long as the monarchy exists in Nepal. Moreover, the monarchy is a symbol of feudalism, exploitation and discrimination, which has already lost its relevance. Since the constitution has a provision to abolish the monarchy by a two-third majority in Parliament, the eight political parties can and should declare Nepal a democratic republic from parliament to facilitate the smooth conduct of the election. The other issue comrade Prachanda has raised is related to external pressure and interference in Nepal's internal affairs. The Maoists are of the belief that some powerful nations are active to sabotage the Constituent Assembly election and the ongoing political process through which the monarchy can be saved and progressive forces in Nepal could be prevented from going to power.There is a grain of truth in his remarks. But the international community has been supportive of Nepal's peace and democratic process. Even during the struggle against the king's dictatorship, the support and co-operation of the international community played a crucial role in boosting the morale of the pro-democracy forces, which finally forced the king to bow down. For this, the Nepalese people are always grateful to their international friends. But the activities and remarks expressed by representatives of some nations are not at all compatible with the diplomatic norms and values. They have openly supported particular political parties and condemned the Maoists. Against this background, it was natural for the Maoist party to doubt the genuine outcome of the election. Attention should, therefore, be paid to the concerns raised by the Maoist chairman. The government, therefore, needs to take immediate measures to create a conducive atmosphere for the polls.

Prachanda's remarks were dubbed as a ploy to defer the Constituent Assembly election. Other political parties, including the power constituents of the eight party government, namely, the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML, have now come down heavily on the Maoist chairman's remarks. In fact, the Constituent Assembly election was the sole agenda of the CPN-Maoists until last year. Other political parties, including the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML, had been reluctant to go to the Constituent Assembly election. But they agreed on this issue as the Maoists continued to press for this demand. Thus, we cannot believe that the Maoists have abandoned the agenda of the Constituent Assembly election.Prachanda spoke the bitter truth, which has been difficult to digest by others. Former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba had also spoken on similar lines in the past regarding the possibility of holding the election in June. Deuba had also come under severe criticism from all parties, including the Maoists, for his remarks that it was not possible to hold the election in June under the then prevailing situation. But it was accepted by all later, and it was agreed to defer the election date till November.

22-point agenda

Earlier, the Maoists had unveiled their 22-point demand, in which they have expressed clear commitment to the Constituent Assembly election. Their only concerns are the basis and grounds for the elections. It would, thus, be unfair to doubt the intention of the Maoists regarding their commitment to the Constituent Assembly election as the Maoists would definitely not want to abort the process and agenda they had raised. Against this background, it would be in the interest of the nation if the political parties stopped blaming each other and worked in unison for the common goal of holding the Constituent Assembly election

Source: The Rising Nepal, August 31, 2007

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

NC Unification : Indecisiveness Affects CA Polls

Vijaya Chalise

Leaders from both the Nepali Congress are feeling enormous pressure to unite prior to the Constituent Assembly (CA) election. The sole purpose of the unification, as Nepali Congress-Democratic (NC-D) leader Minendra Rijal puts it, is to influence the CA election. The NC needs to show good electoral performance, and for it unification is a must, says he. Consequently, the urgency for Nepali Congress (NC) unification seems further inspired by the political polarisation in the upcoming Constituent Assembly polls. In addition, the anti-communist paranoia of the United States and other foreign political players might inspire the political forces to become polarised.For the second time, the left parties in Nepal have a majority in the interim Parliament following the promulgation of the interim constitution, and should they establish a working alliance, then they will be in a good position to win a majority in the upcoming election to the Constituent Assembly.

Strong pressure

However, even in the face of strong pressure from within the party cadres and from foreign powers like India and the US, the unification course of the Nepali Congress (NC) and Nepali Congress (D) has yet to gear up. Political analysts say the situation took a new turn after the new U.S. ambassador, Nancy Powell, met with the Nepali Congress leader and gave suggestions to expedite the unification process. It is believed that after Prime Minister and NC president Girija Prasad Koirala and NC-D president Sher Bahadur Deuba meet to sort out their problems, the merger would pick up momentum. Positive signals are, however, not forthcoming, with the NC-D leaders accusing the mainstream Congress party of not showing interest in the party unification. Even the NC leaders charge that the people responsible for bringing the two parties together have not been showing interest and that their indifferences have been delaying the process. The unification process of the Congress, which split five years ago due to lack of internal democratic exercise, has been slackening for months even after the formation of the task forces.

The NC-D wishes to forge unity at all levels. It includes allocating equal positions in the party high command, something that the NC has maintained reservation about. Obviously, it is not easy to unite the party by keeping people from both the sides happy. NC leader Narahari Acharya, who leads a republican camp within the party, says the basis of the unity should be based on inclusive democracy. Calls are growing within the Congress for amending its fundamental documents, including organisational set-up.Many of them want a greater intra-democratic environment within the party. Since long, second generation leaders have stressed the need for a transfer of power from the old hat to them. Ram Chandra Poudel and Sailaja Acharya, the senior leaders after Koirala, and their supporters see several reasons for changing Koirala's leadership. However, they fear the rift in the party will only widen if they challenge his leadership. NC (D) President Sher Bahadur Deuba, while welcoming a respectful unification between the two NC groups that split in early 2002, had once claimed that the much-hyped party unification was nothing but a hoax promoted for cheap publicity. He thinks unification is not possible only on the strength of verbal commitment as such words need to be backed by practical steps. He is in favour of respectful unification - unification of feelings, a dignified place for workers at all levels and clarification of certain ideological obscurities such as the issue of ceremonial monarchy. Otherwise, in his opinion, it will be nothing but a repetition of conspiracies, betrayals and division.

Deuba says he is not against unification, but it should not be in the interest of a handful of leaders at the top. It should address the issue of the cadres at the grassroots. Deuba's distrust is understandable because Koirala himself was leading the party when it split four years ago. Many cadres believe he could have saved the division at that time. Apparently, extensive homework is needed for the unification of the two NCs as uniting just for the sake of it would not bear the desired results. This unification should positively consider the feelings of Jana Andolan-II. Obviously, all the NC cadres and followers, who desire to see a new Nepal totally free of autocratic past practices, would like true and sentimental unification instead of differences being patched up in a hurry. Responding to Deuba's scepticism, Prime minister and Nepali Congress president Koirala once said in Biratnagar that the leaders were prepared to reconcile with an open heart, and that the unification of the party would be carried out in a respectable manner. While addressing party cadres in his hometown, Koirala assured complete party unity by bracing reunification in its entire structure, starting from the villages up to its upper level. But, whether Koirala can provide all members of both the parties as well as the central leaders the same status is doubtful.

Obviously, unification starting at the grassroots level to the general convention, then at the level of the central committee, as prescribed by Koirala, does not appear easy as there are many lobbies and interest groups in both the parties. Even the oldest democratic party, the Nepali Congress, has a bad reputation as far as intra-party democracy is concerned. This also might cause hurdles in unifying the two parties. Visibly, the inability of the Congress to unite has affected the pace of the Constituent Assembly polls. Due to the indecisiveness, the Congress has not been able to take a decision on whether to back a constitutional monarchy or to go for a republican set-up during the election. Neither has it been able to make internal preparations for the poll.

Obligation

Undoubtedly, the NC faces a twofold pressure. Majority of the young cadres within the party are building pressure to go for a republican set-up. On the other hand, some quarters within the party as well as foreign forces think left influence can be curtailed only if the NC joins hands with conventional forces. The indecisiveness caused by such pressure has delayed preparations for the Constitution Assembly election. Obviously, this has delayed the entire peace process. Only 82 days are left before the CA elections, however, none of the parties have hit the campaign trail. The political parties in power should show greater enthusiasm to institutionalise the verdict of the April movement and the subsequent comprehensive Peace Accord that had clearly spelt out that the CA would determine the fate of the monarchy. It is the obligation of the political parties to fulfil their commitment.

Source: The Rising Nepal, August 31