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Wednesday, February 14, 2007
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INDEPTH ANALYSIS:
Maoists losing political authority in Nepal ’s Terai belt
Kathmandu : The Maoists who came aboveground some nine months back with a big-bang appear to have been in the process of loosening their grip over national politics gradually.
The otherwise charismatic persona of Comrade Prachanda-the ferocious- and the sound and perfect disseminator of the erstwhile dogmatic ideologies of Dr. Babu Ram Bhattarai, both appear to show poor performances which is why, analysts believe, their clout in the country’s politics is not only waning but also touching a new low.
Surprising though it may appear, the fact is that Prachanda’s excessive arrogance and Dr. Bhattarai’s unwarranted “ideological rigidity” have brought them at this point.
The light and the flimsy manner with which Prachanda in particular and Bhattarai in general took the ongoing Terai unrest appears to have made both the comrades unpopular in the Terai belt which till some time back they considered it to be their vote bank.
Add to this the way Prachanda derided at the Terai leaders at a tea party organized by the Prime Minister at his official residence a fort-night ago does indicate that Prachanda though talks of the abolition of Brahminic hegemony from the country’s politics is himself loaded with the same psyche and mental consciousness.
It is this mentality of Prachanda and his ilk that not only irritated the Madhesi to go in for such a violent movement on their own forwarding their demands but also snatched from the Maoists party as such the very demands which used to be theirs until months back.
Analysts say that the Maoists party in general and the party’s two-top-hats in particular will have now to work pretty hard in order to regain their lost political credentials in Terai belt. A Himalayan task indeed.
In more ways than one, analysts presume that one of the prime agenda of the Maoists party has been very diplomatically and expertly snatched by their own former comrade-in-arms who have now become the messiah for the Terai cause and political grievances.
If Terai politics has gone already out of their political grip, similar jolts appear by now to be in the pipeline.
The Kirats, the Limbus, the Khumbus, the Magars, the Tharus, the Dalits and several other indigenous groups have also come to the open demanding their rightful dues from the State. The indigeneous groups Monday came to the streets.
The Maoists appear no where in leading these disadvantaged classes which could have enriched the party with some good-will from these ethnic pockets. What would happen to the organizational capabilities of the Maoists paraphernalia if none less that Comrade Ram Bahadur Thapa Badal sides with these communities who remain marginalized in the society over decades and decades.
Arrogant lectures and fine tuned ideologies work little in Nepal . Analysts say that such lectures, albeit fiery ones too were made in the past by several leaders belonging to different political paraphernalia.
The Madhesis, the Teraians and similar such marginalized classes in the country demand equal share in development and on matters of governance of the State affairs.
Dogmatic ideas backed by arrogance and threats will boomerang on those who practice it.
The Maoists must change their behavioral practices and make it a matching one that understands the voices of inner concerns of the lay men.
If today Upendra Yadav has deserted Prachanda (Read 5-Questions with Upendra Yadav), tomorrow some other party leader representing a different community or tribe from within might follow the Yadav-Path. If this does happen- which is likely to happen time permitting-Prachanda and his party will be left in the cold whose repercussions would be of unimaginable dimension speaking on political terms.
Blood is thicker than water. Look how the entire Terai parliamentarians have converged together even if they adhere to different political ideologies and mode of function. Who knows even the Maoist leader, Matrika Yadav-a Terai leader in effect belonging to the Terai, too might have expressed his personal and very private solidarity with the Terai parliamentarians? Who knows? This event must provide Prachanda and Dr. Bhattarai a clue on how to keep glued the party-men belonging to different communities and tribes.
The party thus would be unable to check further desertions leaving the two top-hats alone in the party.
Comrade Prachanda must understand that competitive politics is bit different in both content and nature than what he practiced until a year ago.
If Prachanda and his party-men wish to give a permanent character in a some what sober and pragmatic manner to their party and want to make a place in the country’s politics then they must begin talking a voice that is audible and ear pleasing to all.
Prachanda must also take into account that he is being honored today by the people at large could well be out of fear because he at the moment is being shielded by the Guns. Understand the meaning underneath.
Hurling allegations to the reactionaries and some extremists would all go in vain. Politics is the art of the possible. He who acts fast secure benefits is what the politics theories suggest.
CA polls unlikely on time if current political fluidity remain intact
Kathmandu : Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula is yet to resign.
His resignation has been set as a precondition for talks by the Terai leaders. The ten-day deadline provided by the Terai leaders for talks with the government is about to come to an end. The government remains so far tightlipped as to what it is going to do with the fate of Sitaula.
Sitaula is in no mood to sacrifice.
The Election Commission has become restive. The Commission is demanding certain laws and regulations passed by the interim legislature so that they can proceed with electoral procedures in order to meet the CA polls scheduled deadline-the month of Jestha- three months exactly from today.
The ministers authorized for tabling these bills in the parliament have been suffering Viral Hepatitis-B.
To the extent that even the Prime Minister is supposed to have been attacked by this disease. Some say that about eight or so ministers have been suffering this disease.
Add to this the arms verification process presumably will take some more time.
To address the Terai grievances as per the assurances of the Prime Minister, certain amendments in the new constitution must be affected. The prime minister is also Hepatitis-B infected.
Like the Teraians, other indigenous groups and tribes too have become restive and have come to the streets demanding what they call as their rightful due from the State.
Thus the State under Koirala is beset with Himalayan problems and issues that demand urgent redressal or else who knows the marginalized tribes and the communities too repeat the show of violence and terror much the same way as the Teraians did in the recent days and weeks.
The Maoists appear too to have become impatient. Their grudge is understandable because they want their share in the interim government in order to make changes in the power structure that would bring about a sort of earthquake in the country.
The domestic as well the international pressure is there on Koirala suggesting him not to elevate the ranks of the Maoists until all of their arms are well managed by the UN team.
Add to this, Ambassador Mukherjee and Ambassador Moriarty has been in constant touch with the ailing Koirala and suggesting him not to act in haste simply to please the Maoists high command.
What the two envoys belonging to the Nepal “axis” could have whispered in the ears of Koirala is any body’s guess.
How Moriarty views the Maoists as of today becomes abundantly clear from what he said to an online edition of Kantipur. Look what he says; (sic) “The US has not lifted the terrorist tag from the Maoists because they are still acting like terrorists. Until the Maoists stop using violence and intimidation, they will remain on the list. Once their behavior changes and that change is sustained, we will be happy to review that status. We encourage the Maoists to meet their peace process commitments and begin acting like a mainstream political party. We urge them, for the good of Nepal’s democracy and people, to give up violence once and for all”.
This amply reflects how the US views the Maoists as of today.
Ambassador Mukherjee in a day or two would rush to see Koirala in order to convey the hair-raising news that suggests that one Mr. Pasang Lama, supposedly a Nepali-Maoist cadre was arrested in Binner village, near to Baramulla, when he was allegedly negotiating an arms deal with Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) men”.
Moreover, if one were to add what Moriarty said some two weeks back that the rebels have been dumping their sub-standard weapons brought from Indian State of Bihar to the UN monitoring team in Nepal and sending their brand weapons to their comrade in arms in neighboring Bihar to this recent revelation that the Maoists were still buying new weapons make a full story whose conclusion could be derived like this: “Competitive politics yes! Change in political credentials yes! But as for weapons, we will buy come what may. Our strength lay in the guns”.
Add to this the recent news carried by Sanghu weekly which indicated that the Maoists have now a separate wing called the “Young Communist League”-YCL. The Maoists leadership wants this group to swell to the numerical strength of some one lakh whose sole job would be to act like the militias in absence of the real militias who are now confined in the cantonments. Sanghu weekly said that the men in the YCL are being provided necessary training. ( See Sanghu weekly date 12 February, 2007) -ed.
Under such circumstances, the chances of the CA polls being held in June seems a distant dream. If the deadline of June expires, the next month that is July is the, let us recall, is the beginning of the monsoon. If not June then it could only be held some where around November/December. But then yet these months are not favorable for the people residing in the mountains because of snowfall and extreme cold weather conditions.
Should this mean that the CA polls would be differed by next June, 2008?
All put together, Nepal’s political fluidity appears to have increased over time which bodes ill for the entire nation, to say the least.
Maoist leader arrested in Kashmir : The Indian Express, India
Kathmandu: Prachanda, the Maoist supreme commander during his official visit to the Indian capital at the fag end of the last year, while attending a leadership summit had brushed aside his party’s connection with that of the separatists groups in Kashmir and also with the ISI- a Pakistan intelligence agency.
Few write-ups emerging as it does from the south-block sponsored newspapers here in Nepal had hailed Prachanda’s political maturity in the making, with his revelation that the ISI had approached him once offering to support the party “directly or indirectly”.
The proposal later was rejected by the supreme commander declaring, in his own words “it would neither have been in the interest of Nepal nor for its people”.
Refuting this claim the Pakistani communication Minister, Tariq Azim had jokingly said that “it could be that since they have just returned from Delhi, they might have made such observations to please the Indian authorities.”
Keeping aside these arguments, a fresh news carried by the online edition of the Indian Express dated February 13, 02:01 AM, might come as a new headache for Comrade Prachanda who in the meantime is preparing to take part in the Interim Government supposedly with a nod from the Indian authorities.
The news declares that one Pasang Lama, supposedly a Nepali-Maoist cadre was arrested in Binner village, near to Baramulla, when he was allegedly negotiating an arms deal with a local separatist group there.
The news report further declares that for the first time, a nexus between the Maoists of Nepal and separatist in Kashmir has come to light with the arrest of a suspected Maoist ultra.
The report further declares that Pasang’s interrogation revealed the link ran deeper than the arms sale. The Maoists were trying to establish links with those Kashmiri rebels and planning a joint operation to train cadres in making Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
Quoting a military source in Kashmir, the report says that Lama had been frequently visiting Kashmir for arms. "He has been moving in the guise of a Pashmina trader for many years now," the source said adding that for the past five years, he had been operating from Srinagar and neighboring towns.
"He (Lama) has confessed having links with militants as well as with some affluent Valley citizens," he said. It was also revealed that Lama had made initial payment of Rs 5 lakh and was to make another token payment during his current visit.
With this revelation by the Indian media itself either by design or otherwise, it is sure to malign the Maoist’s changed credentials.
This revelation comes at a time when the Maoists have become the targets of domestic as well international forces is sure to distance their entry into the power structure.
To recall, the US authorities stationed in Kathmandu say that until the Maoists stop using violence and intimidation, they will bear the terrorist tag.
Or is it that the Indian media wants to establish through such ready-made reports the Maoists connections with Pakistan? This is what the Indian media more often than not does as and when told to do so.
How the Maoists react to this news will have to be watched. With this Maoists’ damaging report bring about a vertical split in the so far “friendly” relations in between the Maoists and South Block establishment?
The politics behind Sitaula’s ouster demand
Kathmandu : At times politics allows by fluke one to elevate his or her ranks. Conversely, politics also coincidently facilitates the demands for one’s ouster from the position of power.
This is exactly what has been happening in the country.
The political aide, a trusted one indeed of Prime Minister Koirala who remained instrumental in bringing the Maoists to the negotiating table and managed through the kind courtesy of New Delhi the famous November 22, 2005 agreement in between the SPA leaders and the Maoists and since then almost, sorry to say, acted more in favor of the rebels than his own party is being criticized by his friends and foes alike who have been demanding his head and too unconditionally.
Is it a mere conjecture or some thing else that Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula has become the prime target of some political parties, including some more vocals from his own party, who have set conditions for his outright ouster from the current cabinet if the country’s somewhat deteriorated politics were to be corrected.
Enigmatic as it may appear, the most vocal is the one NC lady parliamentarian, Sujata Koirala, who has surpassed all the voices that have been demanding his straight ouster.
But why? It is a dilemma by all means.
While it is understandable as to why Upendra Yadav-the president of the Madheshi Janadhikar Forum has set a precondition for Sitaula’s ouster if the government talk team were to initiate talks with their forum.
Yadav and his Forum apparently has reasons to demand Sitaula’s head for his forum concludes that it was Sitaula’s carelessness and utter neglect which facilitated the Nepalganj carnage to take place at the first place. Yadav also believes that it was the home minister’s laxity which gave an ugly turn to the recent Terai unrest.
This much is understandable.
However, what is intriguing is that how come Sujata Koirala should go in for almost a sort of campaign for the ouster of Sitaula, one of her colleagues at the party?
Why she has been demanding his resignation practically at all the possible and available forums here and there?
Is she vying for this post upon Sitaula’s ouster?
Or is it that she has been demanding Sitaula’s sacrifice in order to heal the wounds of the Teraians? Perhaps yes, for her constituency is in Terai and she has to woo them at time of the polls. Or is it even that Upendra Yadav and Sujata are tacitly working against Sitaula behind the scene? Who knows?
This is not all. What adds to this puzzle is that it is not only Sujata, but some other Terai parliamentarians belonging to NC and other political outfits too have been adding strength to Sujata’s political overtones. For example, Surendra Choudharay is the one NC leader who too has been toeing Sujata line of considerations.
Home Minister Sitaula remains undeterred. At best and very late indeed, he is reported to have told some of his close aides that if Koirala sought his resignation then he will have no option left other than to tender his resignation.
Why Sitaula has been the target then?
Reports say that a major section of the NC and other political leaders housed in different camps earnestly believe that Sitaula is heavily influenced by the Maoists high command. Some NC men even say that Sitaula is providing much attention and care to the Maoists that what he is giving to his own party.
Well, though this is unsubstantiated report, however, the ambiguity of the highest order is that it is the Maoists paraphernalia which has so far shielded Sitaula from attacks coming as it does from various political camps.
It is said that Prachanda and Sitaula have in the process, beginning New Delhi to Kathmandu , developed a sort of unparalleled permanent intimacy.
It is this relationship that has been saving Sitaula from being sacked. Unconfirmed reports have it that Prachanda even told Koirala not to sack Sitaula. He is said to have if Sitaula is sacked, it might have profound impact over the peace-process that is on in the country.
If some want his head, others are hell bent on saving his head.
Though nothing appears concrete on the surface, but analysts believe that there must be some thing substantial on political terms that this game of ouster and keeping intact is being played by different political quarters.
How the Forum reacts if Sitaula is not sacked as per their set conditions for talks with the government will have to be seriously watched.
Jayanta Prasad to replace Mukherjee
Kathmandu : Recent update emerging from the Indian Capital, New-Delhi suggests that the new ambassador to Nepal is none-other than the son of the Gandhian Bimal Prasad- who had served in Nepal mid 1990s.
Perhaps considering the spark of controversy that lady Nirupama Rao raised while her tenure in Colombo might have halted her appointment in Nepal as successor to Mukherjee.
She was then sent to Beijing instead.
Mr Jayant Prasad, as reported by the Indian Express dated February 12, 2007 is ambassador-designate to Nepal . Mr. Prasad was First Secretary in the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations in Geneva . He was a fellow at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, Harvard University (1998-99), Rapporteur of the UN Commission on Human Rights, Geneva (1986-87) and UN Disarmament Fellow (1983).
The Telegraph apologizes for the blunder committed in having printed the name of Ms. Nirupama Roy as the next Ambassador to this country.
Enbref :
Palace refutes abdication claim
Kathmandu : Refuting to a report carried by Ghatana Ra Bichar, a vernacular weekly last week that the King is planning to leave the country after being stripped of most of his powers, the Royal Palace while denying such claims said that "There is absolutely no truth to this report whatsoever. The king is very much here, the peace process is on, and everything is going as people would want”.
The weekly had reported that of late the king had increased the number of meetings with family members to discuss the possibility of handing over his throne.
India for umbrella agreement: Tapping Nepal ’s power potential
Kathmandu : The Indian government Power Ministry in the wake of rising power needs in the country, by sending a letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is seeking a dialogue with the Nepal government, to forge an umbrella agreement very similar to the one made with Bhutan in the year 2006, to exploit Nepal ’s untapped hydroelectricity potential.
The ministry has already outlined a number of projects like West Seti (750 MW), Budhi Gandaki (600 MW), Arun 111 (400 MW), Upper Marshyanngdi (121 MW) and Upper Karnali (300 MW) as possible for India-Nepal cooperation, the Hindustan times reports.
WFP to support drought ridden districts
Kathmandu : After the Nepalese government asked for support on the basis of a study on the region’s crops and food needs carried out by the Nepal government, in conjunction with the WFP and the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), the World Food Program (WFP) has decided to extend humanitarian operations in Terai. Reports have it that the WFP will extend its aid operations to three drought-ridden districts in the eastern Nepalese region of Terai reports indicate. The WFP said that it would continue to provide food to 400,000 drought victims in eastern Nepal until June.
India welcomes Terai deal: Madhesis seek India ’s moral support
Kathmandu : "There are 22 out of 75 districts in Nepal where Madheshis are in majority. Altogether 49 percent of the population in Nepal is made up of Indian migrants. Yet we are treated as second-class citizens and violence is perpetuated against us," the president of the Madheshi Citizen Society Sanjay Kumar Sah declared amid a press meet held in Patna , the State capital of Bihar .
"The fact that two of our demands have been accepted by the Nepalese government indicates we are winning in our struggle against the mistreatment meted out to Madheshis in Nepal ," Sah said adding he expected moral support from the Indian government and particularly from the Bihar government because a number of Madheshis were of Bihari origin, the Patna Daily indicated.
Making a statement the Indian government commenting on Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala's decision to meet the demands of the Madheshi population said that "It is our hope that the government and friendly people of Nepal will continue to resolve such issues through dialogue and peaceful negotiations".
India takes credit for China ’s inclusion in SAARC
Kathmandu: Undermining the role pioneering played by Nepal and Bangladesh during the 13h SAARC summit for China’s inclusion held in Bangladesh the Indian foreign minister talking to a select group of journalists from the region said that, "Our vision for the SAARC [South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation] is one of regionalism," Mr. Mukherjee said, pointing out that India's support for the entry of China and Japan as observers into the SAARC underlined New Delhi's commitment to open regionalism.
Mr. Mukherjee said India was conscious that no South Asian nation could succeed on its own. "We must create a stake for every nation in the economic success of the other. As we prepare to host the next SAARC summit, India will take the initiative in accelerating regional economic and political cooperation."
India to spend 190 crore for improving trade infrastructure
Kathmandu: With the aim of improving trade infrastructure, the Indian government is spending NRs 190 crore in Nepal-India border.
The government officials in India point out that the complete infrastructure would involve building four Integrated Check Posts (ICP) on the border. The work on creating facilities at four border points of Rauxal and Jogbani in Bihar, Sunauli and Rupaidiha/Nepalganj Road in Uttar Pradesh has already begun.
The building of infrastructure on India-Nepal border is part of the larger plan of building 13 ICPs, at a cost of NRs 1360 crore, at borders with other neighbors as well, including Pakistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar, officials indicate.
Chinese Surveyors complete Lhasa-Xigaze Railway line
Kathmandu: The Chinese authorities involved in the construction of a branch line of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway to Xigaze have almost completed a location survey. Located in the southwest of Tibet Autonomous Region, Xigaze is close to borders of India, Nepal and Bhutan.
The Xinhua news agency reports that upon completion, the first feeder line for the Qinghai-Tibet Railway will be able to carry seven million tonnes of cargo a year, and eventually ten million.
Nepal set to join Shanghai Cooperation Organization
Kathmandu: Quoting Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Advisor Suresh Chalise a local English daily reports that Nepal is working towards acquiring membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), from which the country could benefit by getting oil and energy support.
Reports have it that once Nepal acquires the SCO membership, it would help where there is oil crisis in the country. The SCO founded in Shanghai on June 15, 2001, aims to promote regional security and fight against terrorism. It comprises China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, reports indicate.
