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The ongoing violent conflict has already destroyed the parliament in the country. Now adding to the woes, another serious conflict between the constitutional forces has emerged. As long as parliament was there, from the King to political parties all were against terrorism. The tragedy, at present, is that among constitutional forces, the home minister has come to the extent of issuing warning to deal with political parties of the previous parliament as accomplices of terrorists even as leaders of political parties are prepared to join hands even with devils to destroy the “despotic rule.” All sounds and fury of bringing the Tsunami-like political upheavals were tackled at the very root by shadowing deals with the centers of destabilization of this country. Apprehensions are there that almost all political players of the country are forced to deal against the national interest. Ultimately, the country and its unfortunate people will be the greatest losers.
Elections are an opportunity as well as challenge. This game is always played between rival political forces. In the past age of tribalism, rival forces used to enter into war and bloodshed to establish control. Democracy is a civilized form of conducting the conflicts and election is the most civilized way to settle disputes. It does not permanently put forces into the power nor does it permanently throw them away into the oblivion. Periodically held elections are an opportunity as well as challenge. To accept this challenge is not to surrender or submit one’s dignity and interest. It depends upon the political characters how to preserve one’s dignity and interest supreme in the clash during the elections. Matured democracies do not have a problem about the use and utility of an election but in a premature democracy likes our, politicians always talk of unfair and rigged elections. However, instead of exposing the evil by participation, mere denouncement does not give any substantial basis to believe. In the past three elections of the parliament (held after 1990), none of the elections were immune from the allegations of unfairness. Even the election during the premiership of Krishna Prasad Bhattarai was denounced by the opposition as unfair.
Democracy is a game of dialogue and elections. Dialogue – which involves two or more conflicting views that goes to the people for elections, is different than monologue. The people are always there to judge and the logic and persuasion can be used to win them. What we have in our country at present is all kinds of angry outburst and non-compromising monologues. What we need now is a quality of persuasion to create a congenial atmosphere for meaningful dialogue and by that a compromise and reconciliation. Whether King or political parties, nobody have to sacrifice their dignity in the process of national reconciliation. We believe that the national reconciliation propounded by B.P. Koirala is evergreen Mantra of all Nepalis.
At a time when country’s major political forces are heading towards showdown, we strongly believe that these kinds of clashes are in nobody’s interest. Sooner political players of all the sides realize this, better for the country as well as people of Nepal . Although Nepal’s foreign friends from western democracies including the US as well as Nepal’s northern neighbor China are also stressing for the reconciliation between Nepal’s political forces, all players seem to have been handicapped from taking a bold decision by looking at the interest of the country. Never in the history of the country, is Nepal ’s national interest at such a vulnerable point than before. More the political players involve in the conflict, more the country has to sacrifice. Democracy does not suggest rife but it is a process of patience and tolerance. Although some senior ministers in cabinet including Home minister Kamal Thapa is trying to denounce political parties to create more rift just like some political leaders on the opposition side are engaging in provocations, we believe that the institution monarchy – which is the factor of stability and national integrity- and liberal democratic forces have many inherent elements for unity. King Gyanendra and leaders of liberal democratic forces must come out of the surroundings of extremist elements – which are inimical to both.
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