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SEVEN-PARTY AGITATION
Message From The Street
The recent demonstrations have again proved that pro-constitutional forces are still the prominent power in the country. Despite their internal differences, the King and all political parties combined together are capable of providing the people an opportunity to elect their representatives to decide their fate and assume the responsibility of the government. The agitation called by seven political parties and overwhelmingly supported by professional organizations and common people living in various parts of the country including the capital has shown their strong faith towards liberal democracy
By KESHAB POUDEL
"It was the best of the times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the season of light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us…." what prominent English novelist Charles Dickens described in his great novel "A Tale of Two Cities' in 1861 reminds the consequences of current political turmoil and uncertainty faced by Nepal.
The bloody acts and angry opinions expressed by the people in the streets of capital Kathmandu and other parts of the country in the past one week showed the season of lights as well as that of darkness. The massive participation of common people and professionals like lawyers, teachers, doctors, engineers, journalists, civil servants and employees of different organized sectors under the call of constitution abiding seven political parties showed the sign of hope and wisdom, as it seems to end autocratic rule and give people their rights to exercise their sovereignty.
A scene of young people fighting hand to hand with police in the street burning tires and destroying public property reveals the sign of despair and darkness. Despite some disappointing things, the recent demonstrations have indicated that pro-constitutional forces are still prominent power in the country. Till now, the situation guarantees that the agitation is still under the command of organized political parties.
Although some tragic bloody incidents took place in Gongabu, where dozens of people were injured and altogether four people were killed in police firing, the demonstration is more or less peaceful. In some places the police also used the excessive force to quell the demonstrations.
At a time when the peaceful agitation was in the process of gathering massive support, a mysterious bloody incident occurred in Gongabu. Security personnel posted to guard the residence of the newly promoted Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police Rup Sagar Moktan reportedly fired bullets indiscriminately towards the agitators. The firing not only injured dozens of demonstrators, but also instigated Armed Police forces deployed on the other side to control the agitators to take combat position and open fire at the agitators suspecting that Maoists had opened fire from the mob.
Despite efforts by some elements to create anarchy and violence, the leaders of agitating parties have shown restraint. “This is our peaceful agitation. There is no infiltration Maoists in the demonstrations. I don't care whatever they say, but this is purely a demonstration organized by the seven-party-alliance. There is no collaboration with Maoists," said Congress leader and supremo of seven-party agitations Girija Prasad Koirala to BBC. "The government is trying to discredit the spontaneous response of common people saying that the Maoists are infiltrated in our agitation." When Koirala defends his cause criticizing the Maoists, the present regime, which has been fighting the Maoist insurgency, interestingly the government severed Koirala’s telephone lines.
Pattern of agitation
Almost all political agitations in Nepal in the past five decades have similar nature. History has shown that such agitations, backed by students and youths, conclude only achieving certain political objectives. The student agitation of 1979 pacified after a referendum was called and the People's Movement of 1990 ended only after a change of the political system. Even after the restoration of democracy in 1990, almost every elected government has faced one or the other kinds of political agitations.
As elected governments with bases of nationwide grass root organizations, those governments fought addressed the agitations politically and administratively. Following the dissolution of parliament and local bodies, all the forces are now defenseless. Monarchy, army and police are without a shield crying and defending legitimacy. Political parties have been dislodged from power due to the dissolution of the parliament and the completion of tenure of local bodies and no signs of immediate elections. Maoists are trying to establish a political legitimacy through their ten-year long insurgency. This is a bizarre situation created by their own acts of omission and commission. In such a situation, no one can challenge the legitimacy of others and the people are left without any legitimate leadership. Thus the country and the people have been compelled to face the situation finding no visible and easy solution.
The incidents in the past few days have shown that, the agitation is not completely peaceful as claimed by the leaders of the agitating parties. Groups of demonstrators in Kirtipur, Banepa, Chitwan and other areas openly challenged the call of leaders of agitating parties. If the agitation goes under the command of unruly mob, it will create more unruly situation. Maoists leaders have already claimed that their cadres are supporting the agitation called by seven parties. “We have asked our party workers to take part in the demonstrations actively," said Krishna Bahadur Mahara, spokesperson of the Maoists.
The recent interviews and statements given by Maoist leaders have already put the constitution abiding seven political parties in defensive. "The present indefinite general strike is our own program and the Maoist does not have to do anything to it," said CPN-UML leader K.P. Sharma Oli. "The people are provoked because of over suppression by the Royal regime." Instead, government agents have infiltrated in our agitation to discredit us."
Home minister Kamal Thapa and other cabinet ministers, however, argue that the agitation launched by seven parties is violent and supported by Maoist. "We have credible evidence of Maoist involvement," said home minister Kamal Thapa.
Initially the seven parties called for a four-day general strike and nationwide demonstrations in these four days. Later, they prolonged their program for indefinite period. It seems that the mob is not under their political command. Thus, the common people are under a great stress and uncertainty over the future.
"Demonstrations are launched in the streets, but the faces and age-groups of the demonstrators are same everyday. How long this crowed will continue to be in the streets is difficult to predict. Unless some other mechanisms come into play this show may go into diminishing effect. Agitations serve their purpose till it follows certain political programs and discipline. Otherwise it may turn into an anarchy which will bring more repressive and authoritarian elements in the power to prevail in the leadership," said a political analyst. "It is high time to conclude the agitation and learn the lesson which has been imparted by it. The New Year's Day is an opportunity to give a new turn to a conflict ridden politics of this country."
As usual the message of King would be waited all over the country with great anticipations. "The impending new year must begin with compromise and peace," said former prime minister Surya Bahadur Thapa. "The political deadlock and agitation have already pushed the country into chaos and it is gradually heading out of control. There are ample possibilities to reach into a political consensus."
This is the last of the opportunities for King Gyanendra to people’s traditional respect to the institution of monarchy. If he fails to address the present situation fairly, the institution as well as the King will not be able to command similar reverence in future.
"To bear the responsibility of the state is certainly not a popular job. Therefore, the monarchy in Nepal has ruled through via-media. The role of monarchy is very crucial at the moment of vacuum. But, this vacuum should not prolonged long. The King needs to arrange mechanisms for transfer of power to the elected representatives of the people soon," said an analyst. The present interim government is now working at the cost of the popularity of monarchy. Sooner it is dismissed, better it is for the future of monarchy."
The election is the only foreseeable option left for the King to transfer power to the people’s representatives. But to hold a credible election at the current situation is a big challenge. So, it is necessary for the King to appeal to the nation and particularly the political activists in a persuasive and accommodative language.
The expressions of the beneficiaries of the interim arrangement with the King are more harsh and provocative in the utterances. The experiences in the last few years must have enlightened the King that restrain must be maintained to accommodate all his critics in the street.
"It is not the King but political leaders who are responsible for bringing the present situation. Political leaders have made an alliance with terrorists to go to the power and political parties are responsible for creating the present problem," said Shrish Sumsher Rana, state minister for Information and Communication and spokesperson of the government.
At a time when restrain and peace is required, the government media, ministers and pro-government elements are trying to exploit the situation pushing the constitutional political forces are in the brink.
Because of the role of functionary of the state, thousands of people have come to the streets criticizing the government. Most of the criticizers - who are now taking part in the street agitation - do not have any personal contact with the King. Therefore, their prejudice is not against the person. It is the state authority that makes the person unpopular. Whoever holds the state authority, they have to face similar kinds of slogans and criticisms.
Before dismissing the elected prime minister in October 4, 2002 , successive prime ministers used to be a target of civil society members, students and opposition leaders. From former prime minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai to Girija Prasad Koirala, late Man Mohan Adhikary and Sher Bahadur Deuba, they faced similar kinds of condemnation from their critics in the street. Unlike other leaders of organized political forces, the monarchy cannot take such risk for long period.
Leaders of all political stakeholders are on trial now. The fate of the country and countrymen depends upon their wisdom and the actions they take within this short period.
Objective of the Agitation
The agitation should not sideline the objective for which it was launched. The objective of the agitation was to bring people into the power through the constitutional means and election is the only legitimate way to transfer power to the people. But the elections should be held in an atmosphere of trust and confidence. Although the present regime held the elections of municipalities in line with its own agenda, it failed to lure major political parties and consequently the much-needed international legitimacy.
"Any call for elections with credible assurances of impartiality and a fearless environment would be an opportunity as well as a challenges to the political parties and they should accept it as a repository of the faith of the people," said a political analyst. "Instead of rejecting the calls for elections, they must demand the assurances of fearless environment and impartiality with the king. Nepal has proved its capacity to hold a free and fair election a number times in the past.”
The recent massive response of people for a peaceful agitation all over the country has proved wrong the misconceptions that the atmosphere of the country is not favorable to a popular participation.
If the common people, professionals and political activists from all over the country defy curfew order and come out into the streets spontaneously braving the harsh shoot-on-sight orders, why cannot such mass be mobilized to hold a popular election.
“Election is a right to the people to express their sovereign will. No force whether it is King or political parties should have the role of obstructionists. Let the people take up the opportunity of elections. Let them examine the progress of all competing political parties and choose one of them to rule while others can play the sale of an effective opposition,” said an analyst.
Let 2063 be the year of decision of the people, let this occasion be available to the people to express sovereign will. It has become very popular to advice for dialogue for dialogue. A mere dialogue has no significance. It is the action to be performed that people expect.
“This Is Purely An Agitation Organized By Seven Political Parties”
-- K.P. SHARMA OLI
Senior CPN-UML leader K. P. Sharma Oli rejected the government charges that there is any infiltration of Maoist in their agitation. Addressing a press conference, former home minister Oli claimed that their agitation is peaceful. Excerpts:
On Maoists Infiltration
The Royal regime is trying to discredit our peaceful agitation. You can see the nature of participants. Doctors, lawyers, journalists, students, teachers, civil servants and common people of varying age groups are spontaneously supporting the agitation. Despite repression of the government, people are joining our agitation. It is only propaganda of the royal regime to say that our agitation is backed by Maoists.
On Role of Seven Agitating Parties
This is purely an agitation organized by seven political parties. Maoists have nothing to do with it. From the very beginning, we have made it clear that this is going to be a peaceful agitation.
On Growing Violence
Because of repressions, people revolted against the state. The regime does not have any respect to the rights of the people. The present regime believes that the demonstrations can be suppressed by imposing curfews and deploying thousands of security personnel in the streets. The agitation is peaceful except in some place where the police indiscriminately opened fire at the crowed. In Gongabu, the police fired a shot aiming to kill people. This royal government is responsible for all the violence.
Objective of Agitation
One of the objectives of the agitation is to establish total democracy or Loktantra in Nepal . Our agitation is directed towards the end of active monarchy. Our agitation will end once sovereignty is handed over to the people. People are supreme.
On Response
We are getting overwhelming response from the people of all walks of life. Despite all the repressive actions, common people are coming to street against the oppressive royal regime. The agitation has also intensified in all parts of the country. From rural parts of the country to the urban centers, people are coming to the streets to express solidarity to our movement.
“Leaders Of Seven Political Parties Have Already Lost Their Grip On The Agitation”
-- KAMAL THAPA
Home Minister Kamal Thapa –who is arguing that the leadership of present agitation has gone to the Maoists- expresses that he will not allow the situation to go out of control. Home minister Thapa also stresses the need to begin a meaningful dialogue between the constitutional forces.
On the question of Leadership
Although the political parties claim that their agitation is peaceful, we have recorded number of violent incidents in various parts of the country. We have credible evidence that the leadership of the agitation is on the hands of the Maoists terrorists. Leaders of seven political parties have already lost their grip on the agitation.
The face of agitators
When you see the faces of agitators, you can see many new faces there. I think Maoists workers are taking part in the agitation. Only Maoists can take these kinds of actions and resort to vandalism. Whatever the leaders of seven political parties may say, Maoists are taking the leadership of present agitation. I have been saying this for quite a long time as police have arrested number of Maoists guerrillas and workers from the ( Kathmandu ) valley.
Use of Forces
We are trying to use as minimum force as possible. Police are only trying to contain the violent activities in the street. We are not opposing any kinds of peaceful demonstrations. Police are using their power just for their own defense. There are no cases of excessive forces used by police.
On the Report
Soon after the announcement of four days general strike by seven agitating parties, we received ample credible information that Maoists are making efforts to destabilize the city centers by supporting the agitation of seven political parties. In the course of time, all the arguments are proving right.
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