Grandfather clock

After the postponement of the elections to the constituency assembly (CA) slated for June, the eight political parties will need to demonstrate a high degree of wisdom to keep the alliance intact and to implement the mandate given them by Jana Andolan II. The relationship between the Nepali Congress, which heads the alliance government, and the two other big alliance partners, the CPN-Maoist and the CPN-UML, have soured to a certain extent. These two communist parties are insisting on settling the question of the monarchy — either through a two-thirds parliamentary majority or by the direct verdict of the people in a referendum — before setting a new poll date, whereas some senior NC leaders like minister and party general secretary Ram Chandra Poudel, NC-D president Sher Bahadur Deuba, and RJP chief Surya Bahadur Thapa want to stick to the provision of the Interim Constitution (IC) that says the first meeting of the CA will clinch the issue.

Prime Minister Koirala seems to be in a tight spot at a time when major alliance partners such as the CPN-UML are raising serious questions about his leadership after the deferral of the polls. Koirala has been non-committal so far on the demands of the Maoists and the CPN-UML. Maoist politburo member Dr Baburam Bhattarai warned in the capital on Saturday that his party would launch a “peaceful agitation” if the interim parliament did not declare Nepal a republic by the third week of May. He has said a Left unity will be forged for the purpose if the eight parties cannot agree on the republican demand. On such a highly sensitive and polarising issue, any national party worth its salt cannot remain a prisoner of indecision even a full year since Jana Andolan II, all the more so a party that led the SPA alliance.

It is for the eight parties to decide whether they want the CA alone, the parliament, or a referendum to settle the issue of monarchy. But it would not behove the leaders who voted for the historic Declaration of Parliament and other epoch-making decisions, including the establishment of the parliament’s supremacy, the demise of the restored parliament and the 1990 Constitution, the adoption of the IC and formation of the interim parliament, now to say that the CA alone, and not Parliament, has the authority to decide the fate of the monarchy. While the country is polarised along the monarchy v republic lines, no party that has not arrayed itself in either camp so far should claim high moral ground to stay in power. Everybody is free to make his choice, but one wonders if the vacillating NC and NC-D should not make their positions absolutely clear, otherwise on what basis will they ask for the people’s votes? If it so desired, the NC may even choose to ally itself with the parties of former Panchas, though it is another question whether the NC would be willing to pay the price for this tricky option. It may also reflect poorly on them if they continue to sit on the fence.

Source: The Himalayan Times, April 30, 2007

Keen Enthusiasm

THAT 62 political parties have applied for registration with the Election Commission (EC) by the deadline that closed Friday to take part in the constituent assembly election is an indication that the polls are being taken seriously by all. This is also proof that everyone believes that the CA polls will be the gateway to ending the uncertainties that are prevailing at the moment. It is evident that the CA polls will be a milestone in the march forward to creating a new Nepal. This is so because the elected CA will be responsible for framing the constitution of Nepal which will be all-inclusive.

This is the hope pinned on not only by the political parties but the people as well. Hereon, it may be worthwhile remembering that the date for the CA election is yet to be announced. Though the date had been fixed for June 20, due to technical and logistical problems, the EC had some time back said it needed a little over a hundred days to prepare for the polls. This started the ball rolling for a new CA poll date. But this has not happened because the eight political parties are yet to sit down to sort out the issues.

As per the recent developments, there is every hope that the said gathering will take place soon to give a passage to the problem. This is necessary so that the uncertainty and confusion in the minds of the people can be removed. The eight political parties who are participants in the government have to act fast to ally the fears that the polls will not be held. The eight political parties, too, have to be earnest and not make remarks which create confusion among the people. The interim government is there to announce the date for the polls, but for this the eight political parties have to arrive at a concrete agreement and end the confusion. The interest of the political parties in the country to get themselves registered is enough evidence that everyone wants the elections to take place as quickly as possible.

Source: The Rising Nepal, April 30, 2007

Commitment To The Polls

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has articulated his firm commitment to holding the polls to the constituent assembly and maintained that the date for the polls would be announced soon after consultation with the other political leaders. Giving his views in unambiguous terms, Prime Minister Koirala mentioned that the election to the constituent assembly should be held to address the concerns as well as aspirations of the people, for which there should be no doubts and apprehension.

The views held by the prime minister seek to confirm that the government is committed to conducting the polls to the constituent assembly, and any confusions and contradictions regarding the issue should not be allowed to prejudice the political environment. The disparate utterances that have come to the fore these days from different political corners have lent the impression that no unanimity of views are held by the political stakeholders regarding the polls. However, the pronouncements coming from the eight party leaders on Friday indicate that coherence of views does exist among the leaders.

Moreover, the political leadership in the country was committed to forging unanimity to hold the polls to the constituent assembly and bring a new era of peace, democracy and prosperity in the country. The meeting of the eight party leaders that will be held soon will decide about the polls and allay all the confusions pertaining to it. It is encouraging to note that the Election Commission has accelerated the tempo of preparing for the polls as this is very crucial to take peace building and the democratisation process forward . The legal procedure for the polls should be defined to facilitate the process. Prime Minister Koirala commitment to conduct the election to the constituent assembly to enact a new constitution should be hailed and reciprocated as delaying the polls could mean a prolonged transition phase in the country?s politics. Some elements are obviously not in favour of the smooth organisation and implementation of the polls, and they may seek to disturb the process if the fluid and uncertain situation continues to exist in the country.

Source: The Rising Nepal, April 30, 2007

Alternative Energy Promotion Opportunities

THAT 62 political parties have applied for registration with the Election Commission (EC) by the deadline that closed Friday to take part in the constituent assembly election is an indication that the polls are being taken seriously by all. This is also proof that everyone believes that the CA polls will be the gateway to ending the uncertainties that are prevailing at the moment. It is evident that the CA polls will be a milestone in the march forward to creating a new Nepal. This is so because the elected CA will be responsible for framing the constitution of Nepal which will be all-inclusive. This is the hope pinned on not only by the political parties but the people as well. Hereon, it may be worthwhile remembering that the date for the CA election is yet to be announced.

Though the date had been fixed for June 20, due to technical and logistical problems, the EC had some time back said it needed a little over a hundred days to prepare for the polls. This started the ball rolling for a new CA poll date. But this has not happened because the eight political parties are yet to sit down to sort out the issues. As per the recent developments, there is every hope that the said gathering will take place soon to give a passage to the problem. This is necessary so that the uncertainty and confusion in the minds of the people can be removed. The eight political parties who are participants in the government have to act fast to ally the fears that the polls will not be held. The eight political parties, too, have to be earnest and not make remarks which create confusion among the people. The interim government is there to announce the date for the polls, but for this the eight political parties have to arrive at a concrete agreement and end the confusion. The interest of the political parties in the country to get themselves registered is enough evidence that everyone wants the elections to take place as quickly as possible.

Source: The Rising Nepal, April 30, 2007

Abandon Strikes

The unrest in Madhesh and Bhabar has not come to an end. The strikes and stoppage of work have been resorted to time and again. Though there has been a noticeable improvement in the law and order situation across the country, Madhesh and Bhabar are yet to return to normal. But what should be appreciated is that the Maoists have abandoned their armed pursuit of politics. They have committed not to pursue violence for any political ends. Moreover, they have joined the interim parliament and, consequently, the interim government - a long journey from conflict to conciliation. The problems that the country had faced due to the conflict have been resolved despite some minor aberrations and obstacles here and there. It is indeed an obligation on the part of the groups and organisations to learn from the examples set by the Maoists and renounce violence and agitational politics to pursue the cause of peace and harmonious coexistence.

However, the Madhesh and Bhabar have neither listened to the call for dialogue nor learned to refrain from indulging in agitational politics. They are tendentiously becoming used to calling transportation strikes and setting blockades along the highways as a result of which people travelling along the long route are forced to halt and be stranded for several days. Subsequent to the three-day strike called by the Madhesi Janadjhikar Forum last week, the strikes and agitation called by the Chure Bhabar Ekata Samaj in some of the districts from the central and eastern region has affected life seriously. What is disconcerting has been the death of an agitationist on Saturday in clashes with the armed police in eastern Terai. In the same way, several others were hurt. It will be relevant to note at least three dozen people have been killed in the movement called by the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum. Since the country has moved ahead towards addressing the needs and aspirations of the people and the date for the constituent assembly polls is being announced soon, all should bear patience and provide cooperation to the government in making the democratic exercise a success.

Source: The Rising Nepal, April 30, 2007