Polarizing Effect
Apropos your cover story "Emerging New Polarization" (SPOTLIGHT December 22), it must be said that a fresh recombination among the political alliance is long overdue. The current alliance among a variety of political forces is unnatural but borne out of necessity. However as the country is heading for a constituent assembly elections, there has to be fresh polarizations for natural politics to set in. Therefore, one must not be surprised to find dissensions brewing among the alliance partners in the coming days.
Bikas KC
Maitighar
Keep Unity Intact
The unity between the seven parties and the Maoists had worked to restore democracy in the country. It was after they reached 12-point understanding in New Delhi last year that the politics of the country turned for better days ("Emerging New Polarization" SPOTLIGHT December 22). So, it would be unwise to break that alliance at this moment. Even though the alliance among leftists and rightists do not seem correct, it is the need of the hour. If the political leaders truly want to uplift the condition of their people, they will have to keep the unity intact for at least one more decade. This stability and unity of purpose could translate into rapid economic development and prosperity for this country of 24 million people. At present, Nepal ranks very low in terms of economic progress. Our GDP is very low, growth is stagnant, there is overwhelming socio-economic problems and so on. Even though the United Nations has set socio economic goals in the name of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to be fulfilled by 2015, Nepal is hard pressed to attain them. The years of political instability, the decade-long violent conflict all ganged up to ensure that Nepal did not rise. While its neighbors India and China are becoming the latest darling of global economic community, Nepal lags behind even among the third world economies. Such a worse situation must not be allowed to continue for too long. The first thing that Nepal needs now is a stable politics. That can be ensured through the unity of political parties and the writing of a new constitution through the elected Constituent Assembly. Then after the political forces should set their eyes upon the economic building of the country. Although they often talks about building a new Nepal , the political forces have yet to convince the people what agenda they have for doing so. It is very obvious that if the politics after the CA elections is similarly unstable, then Nepal 's dream of economic prosperity will go kaput. As such, there is no alternative for the political forces but to join hands and work together on common minimum program aimed at developing the nation. For this to happen, the alliance among the rightists, liberal democrats and leftists is necessary. They must jettison their partisan ideologies for the time being and stand together to fulfill the dream of their people. After the country reaches stability and its economy is improved, then they can think about their ideologies. Till that time they must not think of any polarization that is sure to invite more frictions and dissensions. It is difficult for them to accommodate liberal and communist economic policies. But that is what they will have to do. This is the mandate of the People's Movement. The tens of thousands of people of Nepal did not come to the streets in April only demanding the restoration of democratic polity. They also wanted to develop their country and uplift the millions of poor masses from the grueling poverty. If the leaders want to fulfill the mandate of the People's Movement, they cannot escape their responsibilities. They should do well by focusing on successfully holding the Constituent Assembly followed by the implementation of common economic policy aimed at developing Nepal.
Kiran Bista
Satdobato
Interesting Prediction
The cover story "Emerging New Polarization" (SPOTLIGHT December 22) has made an interesting prediction of fresh polarization. Although the author has given his justifications for the coming polarization, it must also be noted that this alliance was not forged due to wishes of the parties. Rather it was forged based on the needs of the time. Therefore, until the need of the time changes, there is no possibility of break in this alliance.
Laxman Acharya
Balkhu
Interim Arrangement
The article "No Checks, No Balance" (SPOTLIGHT December 22) rightly points at some of the flaws of the interim constitution. The leaders seem to believe that they can get away with these flaws since this interim constitution will be in force only for a short time. Lets hope their belief will come out true. If in case there is some delay, then the country is sure to face disastrous consequences because this constitution do not have provisions for checks and balances and has heavily fortified the executive.
Nishchal Khadka
Thamel
Need Of The Hour
The interim constitution ("No Checks, No Balance" SPOTLIGHT December 22) is a document of compromise. Because of the need to accommodate wishes of different ideologies, the constitution appears to have some contradictions. But it was the need of the hour. The only thing needed now is its swift promulgation and implementation. The full implementation of all agreements is necessary to ensure successful constituent assembly elections.
Sushil Basnet
