Wednesday, February 22, 2006

Niraj Aryal

Is there a way out of the crisis? The major problem is all want it badly but not a soul knows how to get the hold of it. What a dilemma, what a match and what players? The match never gives an impression to have an end. Surprising it is that no players appear exhausted. The match is still being played as I am writing. Perhaps there is no end and this is the dilemma.

Even the rebels seem to be positive! Politically their recent moves show an acceptance of complete failure of ten yearlong insurgency loosing almost fifteen thousand brethren in between. This is the cost that the nation paid for a meaningless conflict. The insurgency becomes meaningless as they are back to square one when they talk multi-party democracy, freedom of speech and others in the same manner as their ideologically closer political partner, the United Marxist and Leninist. Commenting on UML’s present posture an observer had nodded, they still call themselves a communist and perhaps this is the communism at its best? Observers still remember the drama that went into the UML camp as the previous US envoy Malinowaski entered the Balkhu Barbar. The event that exposed the communist leaders who made a mockery of ancient communist ideologies is worth remembering.

The Maoist some ten years back could have left their dogma behind like the UML, which proudly turned capitalist but cleverly leaving the big pictures hanging on the wall. For the Maoists it took ten more years to come back to the same point and now they are in pursuit of an international recognition and thus the leadership seeks fresh commitments towards this. This is where Prachanda needs to talk to the national and international press, which could provide him a swift and safe exit. Prachanda agrees in his recent interviews that there is no military solution to achieve his goals and hints that the movement is almost saturated. This also means that at this point he badly needs a face saving formula to convince his own cadres while seeking an international recognition. After all they are the cadres stationed permanently in various camps who face the heat in the front as their leaders keep changing stances for short-term political gains.

The NC president, the UML chief and others too change their position very frequently. That is what they are known for. Perhaps, in politics there is no permanent friend or an enemy. The UML following this dictum quite cleverly sided with Deuba to grab power in a not so distant past. In the same vein, the Maoists who were cleaning up the non-believers from their territory suddenly turned holier for the political parties. The political parties forming alliance with the Maoists have shown that for a political survival no step is invalid.

Now let us dwell into the unfolding events since past few weeks. First Prachanda’s interaction to the press, which may have come out seeking international recognition or addressing his far fledged cadres but was positive. Then the King’s acceptance to the apex court landmark verdict of dissolving the Royal Commission for Corruption Control. This shows that he is fully committed to the process of restoration of full democracy. By making this verdict the court has also shown that the judiciary is still functioning amidst political deadlock and is equally capable of clarifying the constitutional hurdles to resolve the ongoing constitutional crisis if asked through proper channel. The Supreme Court’s verdict was followed by “Moriartysavoir-faire” which dominated much of the political and journalistic analysis in the week that just passed. His moves were also based on the same fact that if the Political Parties can form an alliance with the Maoists, why can’t they do the same with the King? This means that they can act as a bridge between the two opposing poles in the Nepali politics through their recently found amity with the rebels. The political parties too appear positive. The King in his democracy day message has yet again called for all concerned to come forward to find a peaceful solution to the ongoing crisis. He has obviously taken a step backward. This should be enough for matured politicians to bring the country back on track. In reality this is not to be. News stands and public places still carry furious words that are being exchanged between the rivals. There is clearly a lack of conviction and a sense of belief that is needed at the time of crisis.

For the conclusion, whenever there are people who loose there are always those who make benefits.