Leadership And Democracy In Nepal

Suresh Sharma (Poudyal)

Nepal's economic development and democracy continue to be in the doldrums even after the country having entered a democratic era in 1990. During the partyless Panchayat regime, the leaders of the political parties were mostly engaged in clandestine meetings and delivering speeches from their hideouts to prevent themselves from being caught and put behind bars by the royal administration and its henchmen. During this period, the political parties were prohibited from mass gathering and carrying out political activities. People hardly dared speak against the royal regime, lest they faced prosecution or even punished without a chance for a bail or release on parole.

Leadership qualities

After the country was liberated from the king's authoritarian rule in 1990, the party leaders came out of their hideouts and celebrated the glorious victory of the people. Majority of the not-so-literate citizens of the country were perplexed by the new developments taking place around them. They didn't really understand what democracy meant. They were just carried away by the well-crafted speeches of the leaders, and majority of them just remained mute spectators.

Slowly, they started voicing their concerns and understanding the changes taking place. The whole country was ushered into a new era of multi-party politics, guiding Nepal's development into the 21st century. On the positive side, during the 14 years of post 1990 Nepal, the number of political parties, non-government organisations, banking and the private sector and businesses mushroomed. The development of the media and telecommunication sector flourished, foreign employment and remittances increased sharply. However, on the flip side, the country's government changed frequently. The Maoist insurgency dominated the country's politics and media headlines for more than a decade. King Gyanendra's direct rule for more than a year caught the attention of the whole world, and the country's image plummeted in the eyes of international observers. Finally, after the mega event - Jana Andolan II in April 2006, King Gyanendra bowed down to the people.The Maoists joined mainstream politics after a lot of deliberations and negotiations with the seven major political parties. Presently, the Maoists have already entered the coalition government with the mandate to hold a free and fair Constituent Assembly Election.

So far, 14 months have already passed since Jana Andolan II, and the country is still brimming with instability, insecurity, lack of political trust, human rights violations, newly emerged ethnic tensions and political uncertainty. There may be many underlying factors or causes leading to this present situation. However, the principal reason for this tumultuous disorder and unrest over the years is a sheer lack of effective political leadership. Now, let us examine what are the attributes of true leadership and why our leaders have failed so far.If we are to accept the basic premise that leadership is the art of influencing, cajoling and directing people to accomplish a given mission or goal, then we must agree that there is more to leadership than merely barking out orders from a personal power base. Wise leadership involves speaking, listening and learning with farsighted vision, planning and action. According to a research study in 1999 by Warren Bennis, professor and founding chairman of the Leadership Institute at the University of Southern California, all leaders share four significant personality traits: vision, passion, integrity and courage.

Bennis also found that leaders share five common competencies ? technical competence, interpersonal skills, conceptual skills, judgement and character. Out of these, Bennis claims that character is the vital element that determines a leader's effectiveness, adding that "leaders rarely fail because of technical incompetence" but more so for lack of character. However, apart from these aforementioned qualities, there are three other hidden qualities of great leaders. These hidden qualities are not easily discernible, but are found in the best of leaders. These qualities are empathy, personal responsibility and an openness to discovering the truth. How many of these personality traits, competencies and qualities do our Nepalese political leaders possess or apply them in their day to day lives and in making decisions of public interest? This is a question which haunts every conscious citizen even more strongly in the present transitional phase. Empathy - the ability to sense and respond to the feelings of others - sets leaders apart from their peers. The leaders use it to form strong relationships, pick up early warning signs and recognise opportunities to influence. The caring aspect of empathy is what inspires people to stay with a leader, even when times are challenging. Empathy breeds loyalty.

If the leaders of the Maoist-affiliated Madhesi Mukti Morcha and Madhesi People's Rights Forum (MPRF) had displayed even the slightest common sense and empathy, the Gaur carnage of 21 March, which resulted in the ghastly killings of 27 people could have easily been averted. The loss of so many lives is a purely man-made disaster, resulting from hatred and egotism. It was a blunder on the part of the leadership of both the groups to organise their mass meetings in the same place, at the same time and try to foil each other's stage. With such mean, apathetic and narrow-minded attitude of the leaders, how can one expect them to imbibe morality and ethics? Personal responsibility is the courage and moral obligation to accept responsibility of one's actions ? good or bad. Great leaders do not wait for things to improve, but act to improve things. Earlier, leaders of the eight parties had made public to hold the polls for the constituent assembly elections by June 2007. It has now been scheduled for November 22. After the Election Commission publicly admitted the impossibility of conducting the elections in June, all the political parties started their idiosyncratic blaming game on each other for the setback. None of them took the responsibility for the delay. What does this mean? Our leaders are simply not serious about political commitments and responsibility to the people. They clearly lack foresight, and make decisions on a whim without proper planning and calculations. They also lack planning and team work. Their sluggishness and attitude of taking things for granted have cost the dreams and aspirations of the common citizens very dearly.

Lastly, great leaders are always keen in discovering the truth. They encourage debate and seek truth from it. On the contrary, our leaders seem apathetic in revealing the truth. National and international human rights groups have recently pointed out that more than 900 people are still missing and their whereabouts uncertain. Majority of these disappearances were perpetrated by the security forces during the conflict and the remaining by the Maoists and other armed groups. This week at a press briefing, the outgoing OHCHR representative in Nepal Lena Sundh demanded an end to the culture of impunity in Nepal and punishment to the perpetrators. From the lackadaisical approach of the leaders sharing power in the present government, it is apparent that they are still reluctant to dig out the truth. What a pity for the family of the victims.

Peace and security

Democracy cannot flourish without peace and security. Peace and security will be a far cry if there is no dignity and respect for individual human rights and their lives. It is now high time that our leaders wake up from their dreams and start working responsibly as true leaders, and not as deceivers, to fulfill the aspirations of their denizens. They should now rise above petty politics and deeply think for the greater good of the nation.

Source: The Rising Nepal, June 30, 2007

Protecting Child Rights

A report has portrayed a dismal picture of Nepal's children. According to the report, based on a survey by a non-governmental organisation working for the rights of the child, there are 2.6 million working children in Nepal, of which 25 per cent work in the hazardous sector. The survey on the state of the working children, which was released in Kathmandu the other day, stated that 71,500 children are working in restaurants whereas 32,000 work in stone quarries, 19,000 work as porters, about 40,000 work in brick kilns and 16,000 in the mechanical sector. All these sectors are hazardous based on the nature of work and other conditions under which these children are working.The conditions pose serious health hazards and other physical and mental risks to them. Apart from the risk involved, the child labourers have often experienced various kinds of physical, psychological and mental exploitation and harassment. The survey has pointed out incidents of sexual harassment and exploitation meted out to the working children. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), to which Nepal is a signatory, has defined a child as one who has not attained the age of 18 years, and the UN instrument has clearly prohibited child labour. However, the reality is different in many of the third world countries.

Many children are working for their survival mainly due to poverty and ignorance. Although governments have signed the international instruments that ban the recruitment of children, there is little progress when it comes to implementing these commitments. The non-compliance of international human rights and humanitarian laws as well as the national legislation is another strong factor for child labour. Nepal is a signatory to several UN and ILO conventions and treaties including the CRC.But a large number of children are shedding their blood and sweat in various sectors. These working children are often denied their basic rights including the right to education. In a country with a population of 26 million, 2.6 million working children is no small number. As these working children are denied an education and other rights, their future is certain to be bleak, which would further push them into the cycle of poverty. Against this background, the ILO convention has focused on the elimination of worst forms of child labour. In the present condition, total elimination of child labour does not seem feasible. Although the goal should be to ultimately eliminate all forms of child labour in the long run, an immediate strategy should be to eliminate the worst forms of child labour.

Source: The Rising Nepal, June 30, 2007

NC's Stand On Republicanism

MINISTER for Peace and Reconstruction Ram Chandra Poudel, inaugurating a building of the Tanahu District development Committee, has made it clear that republicanism is the ideal of the Nepali Congress (NC) party. He also stated that a republican set-up in Nepal was the goal of the NC. The Nepali Congress has all along been dedicated to the spirit of democracy and has waged a struggle against authoritarian regimes for more than half a century. It was this that gave the NC the strength to join hands with the other political parties that led to the success of Jana Andolan II last year. With Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala as the chief executive, the government is committed to holding the constituent assembly election for which the date has already been announced. On this score, minister Poudel said that there was no reason why the CA polls cannot take place within the given timeframe. It is important to note that the members can take any decision by a simple majority. It must also be remembered that there are elements that do not want the CA polls to be held and are trying to hatch conspiracies. Everyone must be alert against such elements that want to disturb the CA polls.

Democracy must be consolidated under the present circumstances. Therefore, unity among the eight political parties must be maintained at all cost. For this, there must be commitment and confidence among the parties. Petty matters must not be allowed to disturb the harmony and unity. If there are any contentious issues, they must be resolved through dialogue. To thwart any mischief from the regressive elements, the eight political parties must remain united so that the supremacy of the people is maintained. Now there is every indication that the CA polls will be held in time, and the elected members will draft a new constitution for the creation of a new Nepal. A major factor for holding the CA polls is the requirement of some legal tools, which must be approved by the legislature parliament. Once this is done, the Election Commission can move forward with its specified task. The maintenance of law and order is another important issue. With focus on these issues, the CA election can be held in a free, fair and peaceful manner.

Source: The Rising Nepal, June 30, 2007

Now For The CA Polls

Prem N. Kakkar

THE confusion and uncertainty regarding the constituent assembly (CA) election has ended with the government announcing November 22 this year as the date for holding it. It took a lot of exercise to finally announce the date. This came about after consultations among the leaders of the eight political parties. Though there was some delay in announcing the date, things are now expected to move in high gear.Awareness It is now for all the political parties to visit different parts of the country to create awareness about the importance of the constituent assembly election.

The constituent assembly will draft a new all-inclusive democratic constitution to take the country forward in the mission of creating political stability and emphasising the supremacy of the people.Though the CA polls were scheduled for this month, it could not materialise for various reasons, including lack of time to prepare for the exercise. The Election Commission (EC), too, had requested more time. Now there is adequate time to prepare for the election. However, some election laws have to be approved by the legislature parliament. If this is done, then everything will be set for the polls.

As the election is a new exercise for the country, the political parties must do the needful to make the people aware about the CA polls and its significance. Unity among the eight parties is also of great significance. Though the eight political parties are united at the moment, they will be contesting each other for the CA polls. Though the political parties will be rivals in the CA election, till then unity has to be there to safeguard the achievements that have been made in the past one year. If there are any differences, then they must be resolved through talks.

If this is not done, then the elements that do not want the CA polls will conspire against the gains that have been made.It is also important that the political leaders speak more cautiously instead of blaming a leader or party for anything that goes wrong. Of course, it is still a learning process as we are moving in a new direction.An important development is that talks with the agitating groups are continuing so that a conducive environment can be created for holding the election within the specified timeframe. Everyone realises that the CA polls will bring about radical changes in the political landscape of the country.

Once the election is held in a free, fair and impartial manner, it will be the CA members who will have enormous responsibilities on their shoulders. It is also clear that the CA members can take any decision through a simple majority. In fact, the success of the CA polls calls for the commitment of all the political parties. Now it is time to gear up for the polls, and the coming few months will be crucial.The first meeting of the constituent assembly will decide the fate of the monarchy, so it is unnecessary to dwell on the issue at the moment.

But there are some who are making it an issue at the present time. Even the amendment effected in the interim statute is clear on the point. So, instead of making it an issue, all the parties and leaders should focus on the CA polls and co-operate in maintaining law and order in the country. Only this will create the environment to hold the polls in a peaceful manner. On this Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala is committed and has even said that it is his responsibility. But co-operation from all should be forthcoming for the objective to take concrete shape.

Mass participation

For the new exercise that the country is embarking on, there must be a sustained campaign to generate awareness among the people about the election. This will provide the inputs so that massive participation of the people in the election is possible. This is needed to make the polls a grand success.

Presidential Ambition : The Long March Ahead

Ritu Raj Subedi

Maoist chairman Prachanda has sent ripples in Nepalese politics by revealing his ambition to be president of a republic Nepal in two years. The Maoist supremo is confident about the success of his party and his political career when there is overwhelming anxiety among the political heavyweights regarding the future course of Nepal. Prachanda's surety of his future inning into the highest post of the nation sharply contrasts with the existing uncertainty besetting the country in transition.

Ambition

It is not uncommon for any individual to nurture his or her ambition in life. There are different ways of harbouring ambitions. Some hide their ambition and demonstrate it through action while others reveals their inner desire to the public and pursue it accordingly. It is a bit unusual for public figures to declare their ambition. However, in Prachanda's case, one can extract more than a literal meaning from his cocksure statement. By disclosing his intention, he is giving a signal to rival political parties that the Maoists are moving ahead by calculating the algebra of Nepali politics and will surely reach its intended destination. There is no dearth of people who view Prachanda's claim as a saucy remark made only to arouse the enthusiasm of his cadres. Going by the Maoist offensive postures and agenda they have been pursuing ever since they joined competitive politics, there is nothing to be surprised by his stunning revelation.

Can comrade Prachanda be president after two years? In politics, nothing is impossible. Still this hypothetical question further invites a plethora of questions that should be examined in depth. There are quite a few obstacles before he can put himself in the presidential seat. There has first to be a provision in the would-be constitution to be framed by members of the constituent assembly.The first and foremost challenge is the king himself, who must be removed from the scene. Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala is also currently working as the head of state, but the presidential system will be in place only after the CA polls abolish the kingship with a simple majority. But will the assembly polls take place within the given timeframe? Political leaders and thinkers are not so sure about the fate of the historic polls given the precarious security situation that is getting shakier with a bunch of disgruntled and armed groups continuing with their protests, unlawful activities, killings and abduction of innocent people.Let us presume the CA polls are a grand success with a massive turn out. But the Nepali Congress that is still undecided on the monarchy will not easily swing to the republican camp dominated by the communist forces. Octogenarian Koirala is oscillating between a monarchy and a republic. His temptation to keep the baby king amply suggests that he is not ready to throw the hangover of a ceremonial monarch.

There is a historical background behind Koirala's temptation towards this debilitating institution. When Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi played foul against B. P. Koirala, he broke his long exile in India and returned to Nepal with a reconciliatory approach to establish special rapport with the monarchial institution. Though the palace turned down Koirala's offer and put him behind bars, senior Koirala went on to say: 'My and the king's necks are attached.' Senior Koirala's faith in the ceremonial king has had a deep impact on those groomed under the tutelage of the Koirala family. To clear the deck, the NC leadership must accept republicanism that has already taken its youth wing into its fold. A section of the NC still holds the view that the monarchy is a shield against the rising tide of communists. To destroy the kingship means to restore a Red regime in the country. Pro-palace elements have emphatically raised this logic to pit the NC against the Maoists. And Prachanda has had to allay this fear. Prachanda is not a unanimous figure for Nepalese Leftists parties that are divided into several groups. He has to mend ties with the largest communist block - the CPN-UML - that has been always at odds with the radical outfit. Without riding on the back of the UML, the Maoist chairman cannot fulfil his dream of becoming the president of Nepal. For this, he must stop bullying other Left parties and forge a broader alliance among the communist forces.

Prachandaa must understand that some great communist leaders were unable to fulfil their ambitions in life. When Chairman Mao was sure that he would emerge victorious in the civil war against Chiang Kai-Sheik, he tried to propagate 'Maoism' through American journalist Edgar Snow, but the Soviet leaders never accepted his ideology, which he claimed was a further development of Marxism and Leninism. Snow's famous book 'Red Star on China' that glorifies Mao was banned in Russia. Then he hired a second rate American journalist, Anna Louis Strong, to take his ideas to the global stage. On a visit to Moscow as Mao's emissary, the KGB took her as a CIA agent, and she was nabbed and jailed. She was tortured to death in a KGB cell. Chairman Mao, the political godfather of Chairman Prachanda, never realised his super power programme that aimed at footing his country at par with the US and former Soviet Union. In his last days, Mao was forced to accept a 'climb-down' before Deng Xiaoping and Zhou Enlai whom he denounced as 'capitalist-roaders.'Nepal is economically a dependent state, and without the consent of some major foreign players, no political party can reach the helm of power. One of the formidable challenges that the Maoists face is convincing key donors and those countries that are a part of the political game of the country. The strong Nepali Army will not easily allow the Reds to storm into the hot seat of the nation. Prachanda has to take many power centres into confidence to fulfil his dream.

Statesmanship

He should prove his mettle by healing the wounds of the insurgency that created so many foes. He may be a future hope for a large section of people. But he should demonstrate the qualities of statesmanship and rise above the podium of a politician. He must stop making flippant remarks that undermine his stature. He should be cautious about over exposing himself to the media should the people's appetite be saturated.

Source: The Rising Nepal, June 30, 2007