A Dangerous Brinkmanship

The new phase of confrontation between the constitution abiding forces is pushing the country into a dangerous phase of brinkmanship

By KESHAB POUDEL

Following the announcement of four days general strike April 6-9 by seven political parties, political confrontation between the pro-constitutional forces entered into a new phase. Nepal is already in a critical phase with a decade long violent insurgency –which has been a conflict between pro and anti constitutional forces.

When the insurgency began, there was a functioning parliament with an assurance of periodical elections and change of government through the ballot by popular decision. Slowly and gradually the violent conflict spread almost all over the country in which government led by political parties with the support of opposition also agreed to postpone the elections and entered into an interim phase.

“Since October 4, 2002, the politics of horse-trading has replaced the open and transparent parliamentary politics. In absence of parliament, naturally, the political parties had disadvantageous position to bargain for power. So power of agitations, general strikes and sporadic movements of students and other professionals were on the display. But all these attempts failed to achieve desired results to constitute the parliament. After unsuccessful bid to coerce or influence the King, political parties joined hands with insurgents and Delhi declaration was a drastic event in the politics of Nepal . It has confused the role and commitment of pro-constitution forces as they have reached into an understanding for Constituent Assembly to formulate a new constitution,” said a political analyst.

Nepali Congress as the oldest and largest party has liberal democratic image inside and outside the country. Had there been confrontation between the extremist communists and the King and army, national and international reactions should have been much different. Involvement of Nepali Congress has added a confusing look to this new confrontation.

Nepalese people are suffering from double-edged conflicts. The present regime and the communists have been in the armed conflict for more than a decade due to which a lot of lives of poor and innocent persons have been lost, economy has been crippled and education has been completely disturbed. To fuel the fire, political parties have opened a new front of conflict - which has become interlinked with armed conflict.

Though the pro-constitution politicians are still claiming that the four day general strike will be completely peaceful, the government has refused to buy their claim saying it would be infiltrated by the Maoists. “The agitation will be completely peaceful,” said Girija Prasad Koirala, supreme leader of the seven party agitations. Many ask the question: Is it necessary to call the general strike and burn tires? Is Girija Prasad Koirala’s utility and influence depends upon the burning of tires in Kathmandu ?

Being in the power, all the major political parties including Nepali Congress have failed to tackle the insurgency in initial period. How can the world believe that the forces involved in the violent insurrection would remain completely neutral and pacifist during the whole agitation as expressed by Koirala?

“We have credible information that the Maoist will create chaos infiltrating in the party’s agitation. The leaders of terrorists have already declared their point,” said Home minister Kamal Thapa.

The pro-constitution parties have now started supporting and trusting the Maoists who uprooted them from the villages killing hundreds of workers and displacing tens of thousands of them. Any reasonable man in the country is found unhappy with the on-going conflict whether it is violent or peaceful.

People everywhere all the time want peace between King and all other forces involved in the conflict settling the problems in a spirit of compromise and reconciliation.

Realizing that Supreme leader of agitation Koirala reaffirms his faith upon reconciliation, though he did not have any agenda to work it out with the other party of the conflict the King and loyal army behind him. Despite all these situations, time has not run out in Nepal to work together and go ahead with the existing constitution.

For this nothing would be more legitimate and decisive than the elected parliament of the country. “As we have a representative form of democracy except the representatives of the people in the parliament, no other persons can decide about the alternative model. The gimmick of showdown of one force to other is absurd when all the conflicting forces have to depend upon the external goodwill and support for bare necessities of the country,” said a political analyst.

Even a neighbor, however powerful it may be compared to Nepal , has to face equally powerful neighbor capable to counter it. Loss of people of Nepal , whether it is for political or economical reason, cannot be gain to others in the long run. The instigation and aiding of conflict in Nepal for a short term strategic gain, ultimately may prove to be counter productive.

One has to take very serious notice of some provocative media of a neighboring democratic country -which apply different criteria and reasons to judge the Maoist insurgency within their country and within Nepal .

As the means of coercion will create more hostility, all political forces involved in the conflict have to use language of persuasion to solve the political crisis. The general strike will hit the life of common people and create more rifts.

Whether one likes it or not, the coming new year will come with the announcement of elections by the King. The coercive type of agitation will hinder the process of forming a credible government extending the life of extremist rightists in the cabinet.