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VOL. 27, NO. 29, March 28, 2008 (Chaitra 15 2064 B.S.)
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‘Big Countries Do Not Have Hearts And Emotions’
- Ramesh Nath Pandey
Former foreign minister RAMESH NATH PANDEY has been out of limelight since the end of a direct rule of king Gyanendra two years ago. He hit the headlines a few weeks ago after Maoist supremo Prachanda admitted to have met him “for consultations” on political situation ahead of the proposed constituent assembly elections. The firebrand champion republican’s meeting with a prominent royalist raised many an eyebrow at a time when the future of the monarchy looked sealed with the CA polls fast approaching. Less than three weeks to go for the polls, Pandey spoke with KESHAB POUDEL Excerpts:
So, where is Nepal heading?
The country has been facing the most serious crisis in its history. Disintegration is looming large. Political leaders have been talking about a federal state, but they have never tried to understand whether it is economically and geographically viable or not.
But the country is geared up for the April 10 CA polls. The political party leaders want election just to legitimize their hold on power. Maoists too?
They are clearer in their agenda than other political leaders. For
instance, the Maoists have proposed directly elected executive president
for the country. It is logical in the sense that the prime ministerial system has failed to deliver over the years. However, the CPN-UML and the Nepali Congress are still in favour of an executive prime minister and a ceremonial president.
Even as the polls are nearing, there are fears of disruption – again. Why?
There are always certain elements of uncertainty in any election but the
election process in Nepal has already moved far ahead.
It will require a very big hurdle at this stage to disrupt the polls.
Like?
Three new-born regional parties recently imposed a virtual economic blockade in terai last month. There are several armed groups there as well as in the eastern hills. They can impose blockade harsher that could be harsher than the last one to derail the election. Besides, if one of the three key parties suspect a big loss, it could change the present poll wind. If two of them shared the suspicion, it could reverse the wind.
How do you see the role of our two big neighbors to bring stability in Nepal in the context of CA polls?
Small countries have hearts and emotions but big countries lack both.
They are more concerned about their national interest. They care more about the ground reality.
What is the reality, right now?
We are at a very critical juncture in our history. If we are able to
pass this phase safely, history will be grateful to us. If we fail to
manage the present crisis, we will be discredited.
How do we preserve our history of continuity?
That is the challenge before us. If we act wisely, our future is very bright. Otherwise, we will be doomed.
CA elections have been seen as an answer to such challenges.
CA is only a means to formulate constitution. That is not the end.
So, CA is not a panacea?
When the Indians made constitution through CA, our leaders thought that
they would bring similar constitution. What they forgot was that India
was a British colony and it inherited all the institutions from a
colonial period. They practiced Westminster model and accepted
English language. However, we have a fundamentally different situation
as we have our own indigenous political evolutionary process. Although
Pakistan was also a former British colony, even it could not repeat
India's experiment.
So, we are heading towards the direction of Pakistan?
We are heading nowhere. We are back to
the position of 1951 when we overthrew the Rana regime.
Who is to blame for this situation?
Lack of visionary leaders. At a time when we don't have any political leader
with clear vision about the political structure, how will they manage
the aspirations of various ethnic groups, linguistic and regional
groups at the time of drafting the constitution? When there is a big gulf between the people and the parties, internal as well as external players find opportunity to create crisis one after another.
