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Himalayan Challenges
By MADHAV K. RIMAL
Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda, the charismatic supremo of the CPN (Maoist), too, has created history in Nepali politics the day he decided to meet the Nepali Prime Minister. The two leaders, along with their associates, met at the PM’s official residence for over twelve hours negotiating and ultimately signing a peace agreement. The televised press conference after the meeting showed Prachanda towering over all, and the mystery about him was finally dispelled. The eight-point agreement set a time limit for drafting the interim constitution nominating the drafting team. The agreement also stated about an interim government but kept silent on its composition. But it has become evident that Prachanda and his party will share the interim government. Expectations are high amongst people that the interim government will be quite pervasive representing all sections of Nepali society, the women getting full justice in their representation. Full care and precaution must be taken that nobody with a shady past is included in the interim government. Some smaller political parties, too, have men with experience and integrity. And no prejudice should be practised in forming the interim government, which must be quite broad-based. The Seven Party Alliance is in the government now because the Maoists brought about a revolutionary change. But their thinking that they are the only parties eligible to form the government, at the moment, does not hold any water. It is because the bigger parties in the SPA and the palace too, took the country out of track, the Maoists could prevail. And now they are in a commanding position to form the interim government. Since the interim government will pass the constitution that will govern the elections to the constituent assembly, the Maoist leadership must see that it should not be controlled by any political party and all political parties and all sections of the people must be represented in equal number. Even more important precaution that is imperative is to see that no politician who has been remotely controlled or whose loyalty to the nation has ever been under cloud gets entry into the interim government. Since Prachanda’s role in Nepali politics is going to assume prime importance, the man cannot stay disinterested in what kind of undercurrents influence politics in Nepal all the time. Nepal knows all its politicians in and out. He is the one that has not been tested yet. Yes, he did take great advantage from a neighboring country. But, as we have always asserted, end justifies the means, we will condone him if he comes up to our expectations. As such, his first crucial test will be the formation of the interim government. Elections to the constituent assembly have to be most free and fair, which only men of character, high integrity and unimpeachable patriotism can guarantee. Tainted men with shady past must be kept at arm’s length if the country is to reap any benefits from this historic revolution of the century. It seems Prachanda is quite aware of the obstacles he might have to face when he says, “the US will not accept us and India , too, will not recognize us.” He also believes that there is very pernicious foreign interference in Nepal that has got to be remedied urgently. That Prachanda has the guts to say that publicly has placed him in a different category than other Nepali politicians. It has not only cheered the patriotic hearts of Nepalis but also generated great hopes. But, he must know it is easier said than done. Because the volcanic undercurrent that keeps on sweeping Nepal has swept away most Nepali politicians and not spared even the monarch. The Nepali people have been really starving for honest, dedicated and patriotic leadership. And no one would find a more fertile soil anywhere else if he only knows how to sow the seed of patriotism. This may sound like a big joke or a sheer paradox that a real patriot may face grave dangers to his life in Nepal . Because, it had been rumored that Madan Bhandari had to meet an untimely and unnatural death because he was a firebrand patriot and commanded great popularity. Consequently, there were many who wanted him out of the Nepali political scene.
Prachanda’s address to the press after signing the peace agreement has clearly demonstrated that he knows the challenges he might have to face in the near future. But he must first solve the gargantuan challenges that are facing him – like stabilizing the peace, institutionalizing democracy, decommissioning the arms and ammunition, controlling their cadres in the remote areas and providing employment to them and creating an honest, efficient and non-partisan mechanism. Each one of these challenges has the Himalayan character, which no small man can even think of tackling. And in the present circumstances, it looks he will have to come forward to shoulder the responsibility. If his poor countrymen are looking up to him, there are others who would like to see him down. He is only half-way to achieve his mission. The other and more important half is beckoning him from afar. As such, this is the time he has to use his grey cells with the greatest caution and judgment. One must always bear in mind that as one nears the objective the more difficult it becomes to grab it as unforeseen obstacles sprout from nowhere. Consequently, one must be fully prepared to meet all dangers, challenges and obstacles, not stoop to victimization or witch-hunting, not nurse any prejudice and keep an open mind. This is a God-given time for nation-building, which comes rarely in a nation’s lifetime and must not be frittered away. In the interest of the country and our countrymen, we all must also be broad minded to accept that Marxism, Leninism, Nehruvian Socialism or Jeffersonian democracy – they all may be good as they are. But as far as we are concerned they must be cut and pruned to suit the clime of our country and the genius of our people. Will Prachanda take note?
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