Pessimisting Outlook
Your analysis seems to be guided by pessimistic views on the possibility of holding the election for CA (Elections Process Begins: What Next? February 29-March 6). I don’t agree with your analysis that there is still uncertainty about the election process. At a time when all the political parties and groups in terai have expressed their commitments to participate in the election, CA is now a reality and people will cast their votes on April 10, 2008 for the election of CA.
Shreeram Thapa
Via email
Learning Democracy
Being a close neighbor of India, world’s largest democratic country, Nepal has big advantage of learning the process of democratization, rule of law and other such important issues. However, instead of learning ideals of democracy and values, we have been learning all the bad things from India including violence and extremism. When India’s Supreme Court gave a verdict warning that Balkanization would not be allowed and the chief justice of Indian Supreme Court delivered the verdict that India is one country and it will not accept the son of the soil theory, our seven party leaders were accepting the demands of regional groups endorsing their proposal promoting son of the soil theory. You have rightly pointed out the landmark judgment of Indian Supreme Court to open the eyes of Nepal’s politicians. As the government has already accepted this theory, it will have implications in whole South Asia region. Our politicians, intellectuals and legal luminaries must show guts to follow the landmark decision delivered by Indian Supreme Court on Maharashtra.
Jitendra Jha
Via email
Dangerous Inflation
Your cover story on (Inflation: Spiraling beyond Control February 22-28) is very interesting. I agree with you that recently the macro-economic stability and the inflation are showing dangerous trends. The problem of rising market prices of essential goods has been exacerbated by the acute shortage of fuel and other essential commodities. It is unfortunate to say that the policy makers have been ignoring the real and major concern of the country. You have rightly pointed out the fundamental weakness of the country’s economic problems. Although this government is interim, it must take some drastic steps to contain the inflation.
Maya Lama
London, Via Email
Non-functional institutions
Nepal's political institutions are virtually non-functional and economic institutions too have not been performing well. The latest example is the disruptions in the supply of essential commodities including the petroleum products and other essential goods. The price rise is going alarmingly high. It was interesting to read the factual analysis of overall economic scenario of the country. If Nepal is unable to control the inflation, it could trigger worse situation in the country. As the country’s leading parties are in the election fray, the country’s economic situation seems to be heading towards disaster. There is a need to take steps in the right direction on right time to solve the economic ailments.
Deepak Subba
Via email
Deluge Of Demands
The interim government is fulfilling all fundamental demands related to the country’s identity and sovereignty one after another at the last minute of holding the Constituent Assembly election. Our political leaders have promised us that the election for CA is going to be held to sort out all the differences. However, they have been fulfilling all the fundamental and major decisions regarding them. The interim parliament has already decided the future of monarchy and nature of state and the government has already signed several agreements with various groups to divide the state based on various ethnic groups. If the government fulfills all the demands, why do we need the election for CA? Is it just meant to settle minor issues?
Sumitra Shrestha
Via-email
Plenty Of Contradictions
I have read many contradictions in the face to face columns given by Madhesi Janadhikar Forum president Upendra Yadav and CPN-UML leader Raghuji Panta. Panta- whose party agreed to postpone the date for CA election twice in the past, argued that the elections are necessary to prove the legitimacy. I don’t understand his points of legitimacy and accountability as all of us know that the country has been under one or other kinds of unaccountable government for the last seven years following the dissolution of elected government. Yadav, who has been demanding full autonomy with right to self determination blocking all the normal activities in southern plain, argued that he is neither separatist nor anti-Constituent Assembly. Panta and Yadav exposed themselves by taking contradictory stands.
Krishna Sharma
Battisputali
