Chewing On Koirala’s 20-Percent Kernel

The monarchy, according to Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala’s fresh calculation in Biratnagar, has shrunk to a fifth of its pre-April Uprising size. With the Chinese ambassador having formalized the premier’s concurrent status as head of state, Koirala is perhaps being a little generous – even allowing for his hometown-induced exuberance.This reckoning is bound to enrage Prachanda further. The former (and soon to be?) rebels were already warding off the wrath of fellow Reds in the UML for having registered a proposal in the interim legislature to abolish the monarch without, so to speak, due process.Illustrating his point, Koirala explained to reporters that King Gyanendra was busy visiting temples and so on as part of a long but inexorable path to citizenry. The monarch, according to other sources, may be doing so as part of his elaborate but surreptitious coronation.Over a year after his regime collapsed, King Gyanendra reportedly maintains his executive-monarch schedule. He maintains regular office hours, voraciously reads newspapers and magazines, meets with people from different backgrounds and attends to household responsibilities.Between October 2002 and April 2006, King Gyanendra didn’t seem terribly excited about scheduling a coronation. True, a few auspicious dates were being thrown around, but little else. With the monarchy in suspension, even facing the prospect of abolition if the Maoists have their way, this could hardly seem a propitious time for a coronation.On the other hand, a king so overt with his religiosity and ritualism could not have envisaged such a seminal event without proper sanction from the planets and constellations.What about the secrecy? Hanuman Dhoka Palace, the traditional venue of coronations, hasn’t shown signs of the festivities. Is the surreptitiousness in conformity with the stars, too?Or is the old palace being readied for a new role? One report a few weeks ago said it was being set up as the secretariat of a new royal regime once the Young Communist Leaguers finally shed their civvies. Narayanhity Palace, so prompt in rebutting all manner of speculation, has been silent on this one.And rumors are flying in all directions. Now we are told that the United Nations has made contingency plans to evacuate its staff to New Delhi should things get any worse. Clearly, the organization remains seared by the August 2003 attack on its premises in Baghdad, which claimed several international civil servants, including the top UN official responsible for Iraq. The UN had refused to relocate to Amman, citing that the anti-American groups would remember that the international organization had tried to prevent the invasion until the very end.Unlike the ex-Baathists, jihadists or whoever the attackers were, our Maoists have already accused the UN of doing Uncle Sam’s bidding in Nepal. Of late, Prachanda has been warning against efforts to undermine the Maoists. His one-time mentor, Mohan Baidya, has candidly explained why a republic cannot await a constituent assembly: national and international forces are creating anarchy to sway public opinion towards the relevance of the monarchy.As for Koirala, well, he’s too consummate a politician to have blurted out that 20-percent figure for nothing. The Chinese ambassador’s bow and stretched hands may have symbolized the loss of a power the monarchy had enjoyed even under the Ranas. But Koirala knows the envoy was acting in conformity with an interim constitution reflecting the tentativeness of all things Nepali.The premier’s real message from Biratnagar this time, as far as Maila Baje is concerned, is his warning to legislators stalling house proceedings of an onset of a dictatorship. The last time we heard someone make that prophesy in the midst of political bickering and Maoist machinations, we were merely months away from February 1, 2005. And, let’s not forget, communications minister Mohammed Mohsin was just the spokesman for the government.

Source: The Nepali Netbook Blog, May 14, 2007

NEPAL: KOIRALA CRITICIZED BY COMMUNISTS

The UML (United Marxist Leninist) parliamentarians in a bid to protest Prime Minister Koirala’s role in functioning of the government, abandoned the parliamentary proceedings, Monday.
However, analysts claim that the need for fleeing from the parliamentary proceedings came as the UML parliamentary party had recently issued a whip order not to disrupt the proceedings any more. Analysts say it was more of an intra-party feud than anything else. Madhav Nepal must have felt the heat.
The UML parliamentary party nevertheless viewed the need for the rejection of the proceedings to protest against Koirala instead by claiming that he was not very serious in finding a solution to the current parliamentary deadlock.
Now Koirala should feel the heat.
The UML leader Bharat Mohan Adhikari criticizing the PM for his trip to his home town said that Koirala headed for Biratnagar without any agenda. Such irresponsible acts were tarnishing Nepal’s image in the world, Mr. Adhikari fumed.
Currently the Madhesi parliamentarians from the NC-D, the Sadvawana Party and the RPP (Rastriya Prajatantra Party) plus the Maoists forwarding various demands are halting the parliamentary proceedings.
Interestingly, the Madhesi Parliamentarians from the NC-Girija and the Maoists did not take part in halting the parliamentary proceedings on Monday.
The Maoist chief-whip Dina Nath Sharma maintained that his party did not felt the need to gherao the rostrum as it was already occupied by parliamentarians belonging to other parties. May 15, 2007

Source: The Telegraph Nepal, May 15, 2007

Maoists not helping my job: PM

BIRATNAGAR, May 14 - Reiterating that the country has already embarked on the path to republicanism, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala Monday said that the nation would become a republic the day the king becomes non-existent with all his powers stripped off.
PM Koirala further claimed that the king's existence has been reduced to a mere "20 percent".
Talking to journalists at his hometown Biratnagar, Koirala said that 80 per cent task to declare Nepal a republic has been finished and that Nepal would have full democracy the day the remaining 20 per cent of the task is over.
"The king is visiting temples, making sacrifices ? 20 per cent of him is still (felt) there," the PM said.
PM Koirala said that a new date for the CA polls would be decided through an eight- party meeting upon his return to the capital.
PM Koirala currently is in Biratngar, where he reached yesterday on a three-day rest-break.
PM Koirala today confided that the Maoists' lack of experience in democratic exercises was not helping his job as the Prime Minister.
Hinting at the Maoists, the premier asked the journalists gathered at his Biratnagar residence how appropriate it was for the activists of a revolutionary party to beat up women and lock in one of their own leader while inebriated.
Likewise, venting ire over remarks that the elections cannot be held even in mid-November, PM Koirala said, "The elections will take place by mid-November and as long as I am here, I will not allow the eight-party unity to break at any cost".
Flaying the accusations that the eight-party meeting was not getting off ground due to the Prime Minister, he said, "It is not because of the prime minister that the eight-party meeting has not happened? ? it is the prime minister who is keeping the eight parties alive".
Stating that he would issue whips to the Nepali Congress (NC) parliamentarians directing them not to disrupt parliamentary proceedings on his return to the capital, the PM warned of "birth of dictatorship" if the Interim Legislature-Parliament proceedings continued to be disrupted.
Amid demands for Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula's resignation from within the NC rank and file, the PM said that the minister would be relieved of his duties the day he "ceased to be of use".
PM Koirala also met with security heads of the eastern region this morning and directed them to streamline the security deployment in the region.

Source: The Kantipuronline, May 15, 2007

Eight-Party Alliance : Unity A Must

Geja Sharma Wagle

Following the uncertainty of the much awaited constituent assembly (CA) election, the coalition partners of the Eight-Party Alliance (EPA) seem to have been engaging on the futile debate regarding the CA polls date and declaration of a republic setup. The major left partners of the EPA ? the CPN-UML and CPN-Maoist have been demanding the immediate declaration of the fresh date for the CA polls. Moreover, they have been demanding the declaration of a republic state through the sovereign interim legislature because even after the establishment of democracy the palace is still conspiring against the hard-earned democracy, people's rights, and the CA polls. Likewise, as per their analysis, as long as feudal and autocratic monarchy remains neither there will be the CA polls nor will political stability come about.

Analysis

Leaders of the CPN-UML and CPN-Maoist have revealed that establishing a democratic republic through the CA election was a fundamental basis of the unity of the EPA. As analyzed by CPN-Maoist Chairman Prachanda ? due to the conspiracy of the palace, to hold the CA polls in July is not possible and has already been declared by the Election Commission (EC). Prachanda has even warned that the existence of the unity will be over and they will commence another people's movement, if the interim legislature does not declare a republic state by abolishing the autocratic monarchy. But the democratic parties ? the Nepali Congress (NC) and the Nepali Congress- Democratic (NC-D) do not seem to have been positive towards declaring a republic from the interim legislature. Considering the political implication of the declaration, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba have opined that as responsible political forces of the nation the EPA should follow and respect the spirit and letters of the interim constitution that has been okayed by the eight parties. The leadership of the NC and the NC-D seem to be committed that the fate of the king should be decided by the first meeting of the constituent assembly as per the interim constitution. Likewise, they have opined that all the political parties should remain united for holding the CA election and against the regressive and anti democratic forces.

In fact, the unwanted debate of the coalition partners regarding the declaration of the republic through the interim legislature and holding the CA polls has unnecessarily causing negative impacts on the fragile transitional peace process and the future of the EPA coalition. Questions are being raised as to the continued unity of the EPA. Will the CA polls be held in time or not? Will the political parties really start a power struggle? In fact, the backdrop of the controversies may be a result of the unification of the regressive and autocratic forces to conspire and attack against the achievements of the movements, people's rights, and the CA polls. Nepal is passing through a historical transitional phase. But history and the next generation will never excuse the EPA leaders, if the newly established democracy does not become sustainable and the CA election is not held in time. Therefore, it is not a time for futile debates and disagreements amongst the coalition partners. It is a high time for dialogue, agreement, and reconciliation among the coalition partners so as to establish a liberal, democratic, and egalitarian society.

However, the political parties have their own political agendas and might have their own election strategy. But having their own political agendas the Seven-Party Alliance (SPA) and the Maoists had agreed to promulgate the interim constitution and had signed the various agreements in the past for establishing complete democracy, permanent peace, and progressive transformation of the state. In the transitional period, they must have common policies, strategies, and programs for the sake of institutional development of democracy and establishing people's supremacy. Therefore, the EPA must sort out their disagreements and differences as per the sprit of the interim constitution, democratic principles, and the mandate of the movement. If the much-awaited CA polls are to be held and a new constitution is to be drafted, the EPA needs to remain united by putting aside their differences. The EPA and the government should respect the wishes of the people and act according to the mandate of the movement. They must develop the coalition culture to run the coalition government and should take unanimous decisions regarding all political issues. They, thus, should immediately declare the fresh date for the CA elections and sort out their differences amicably considering the fluid political situation and the possible implication of the EPA differences.

ProblemsThere are still many political, constitutional, social, economic, and cultural problems yet to be resolved before the CA polls. The Terai, Chure-Bhawar, and ethnic community's rights movements have created the serious problems for the CA polls and they have to be resolved urgently by the interim government. Likewise, restructuring of the state, democratization of the Nepal Army, establishing people's supremacy are the complex issues that the EPA should focus on. Therefore, unity is a must for the future of democracy, people's rights, and the CA polls.

Source: The Rising Nepal, May 9, 2007

Welfare Of Senior Citizens

MINISTER for Women, Children and Social Welfare Khadga Bahadur Bishwokarma has underlined the need for carrying out especial programmes for the welfare of senior citizens in the country. Inaugurating a workshop organised to solicit suggestions for laws concerning the rights and interest of the senior citizens, Minister Bishwokarma said that it is the duty of all people to respect senior citizens. The situation and condition of the senior citizens in Nepal is unsatisfactory to say the least. As the people get older and become unable to work, they are often neglected by their own family members. Despite having family members, many senior citizens live pitiable lives. As they are neglected, they take refugee in the old age homes. However, there are few homes for the elderly people. The absence of necessary laws is attributed to the sorry state of the senior citizens. In many countries of the world, especially in the West, senior citizens get special allowances, which are sufficient for their livelihood.

But Nepal does not have such a policy. A decade ago, a system of providing allowances to senior citizens over 75 years was introduced, but the money is so meagre that it does not help meet their basic needs. The social attitude is important for improving the condition of the senior citizens. The younger generation should own the responsibility of taking care of the older generation. For this, a legal mechanism is necessary, which would make it mandatory for the younger generation to take special care of the senior citizens. So far, the senior citizens are being neglected not only by their families but also by the state. There are laws concerning the rights of all sectors including children, women, Dalits and others. But there is no specific law for the protection and promotion of the rights of the senior citizens. Senior citizens also have the right to live dignified lives and be cared for by their family members and the society. Many senior citizens have been denied this right. This is a denial of a universal human right. Considering all these factors, the government is now working to draft a law for the rights and interests of the senior citizens, for which suggestions are being solicited from all sectors. The law for the senior citizens is necessary, and protecting their rights is a must. The society and the state should be sensitive towards the welfare of the senior citizens, and necessary programmes must be brought about for this.

Source: The Rising Nepal, May 9, 2007