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Election to the Constituent Assembly in Nepal is gradually turning into a mirage. Except the Election Commission and the International Community, no Nepali politician seems keen about the elections. Senior politicians dreaming to hold the reigns of the government cannot tour their constituencies in the terai because of insecurity in their very lives. They are in a desperate situation not knowing what to do. Their heavy reliance on alien support and patronage and failure to establish a strong popular base has pushed them in a very difficult situation. Moreover, the wakening up of the Madhesis and Tharus in the terai and the hinterland, Dalits and the Janjatis in the hills, after centuries of discriminations and exploitations by the upper casts, the traditional ruling class is facing a very grim situation. The days of their supremacy and domination are over. If they want to survive they have to share power. Even the Maoist leadership is getting nervous. A rebel Maoist leader told this scribe that their bravado was nothing but sham. Since their grip in the terai and the hills has considerably loosened and their main alien support almost diminished, they want to hold on their gains tightly. And that is the main reason, they have given enough ropes and leverage to their cadres and the YCL.They seem much perturbed by the continuing strong stance of the Americans against them. This leader was very emphatic when he said that the Maoists were willing to go to any extent to win the American favor. Even Prachanda’s statements that they would not quit the government and neither boycott the elections are clear manifestations of their severely weakened position and desperation. It is even reported that the smaller split in their leadership is on the verge of making a much bigger one.
The dwindling authority of prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala because of his failing health has brought the administration almost to a standstill. It has put a big question mark on the restoration of peace and normalcy in the country, the sine qua non for holding the elections. A heterogeneous cabinet of eight parties with different ideologies, each pulling its own way, has very badly affected even the day to day administration. The government has not only become a ‘Tamasha’ but a laughing stock for the world. But Nepali politicians are neither embarrassed nor worried. As long all those fortunate who are either in power or holding any position of profit are happy making hay while the sun shines, they care a damn what happens to the country. And the prime minister can only watch helplessly as “the dog in the manger.” Even nature has not approved the workings and policies of this government. When time is so precious, the unprecedented floods that have taken away hundreds of lives and make millions homeless and displaced, will badly affect the preparations for the elections for at least the next couple of months. After that Dashain and Tihar and then comes Mangsir 6. How is the Elections Commission going to perform? By wishing only no body achieves anything. We do urgently want an elected representative democratic government. We did away with one man’s authoritarian rule not to be subjected to non-representative eight party dictatorship. We have only jumped from the frying pans into the fire. This eight party government does not want elections. With the persisting lawlessness, chaos and anarchy aggravated by unsympathetic nature and various groups openly carrying lethal arms, no government can hold the elections. And, if they try, they will invite blood bath. However, we must have a strong working government if we want to stop further destabilization and anarchy and hold elections to the Constituent Assembly. The only way left for us is to form a National Government approved by all- the Madheshis, the Dalits, the Janjatis and Tharus and of course, the political parties. And this National Government has to be nominated by a Round Table conference of the representatives of all the peoples of Nepal. If this cannot happen, let the Savior take care. And in the present circumstances, the Savior seems to be only the Nepal Army. As such all patriotic Nepalis and good friends of Nepal have to unflinchingly render maximum help and cooperation to Nepal Army if they want to save the poor country from the catastrophe looming on the horizon.
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