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VOL. 27, NO. 34, May 09, 2008 (Baishakh 27 2065 B.S.) |
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The constituent assembly has been summoned. But the political uncertainties and the mistrusts between major political parties seem to be on the increase. Despite the rejection by the people, the Nepali Congress supremo, Girija Prasad Koirala does not seem to be obliging the Maoists who are getting impatiens to occupy the Baluwatar Palace. Feigning to follow the democratic process, the Maoists do not find it necessary to disband their undemocratic paramilitary organizations. It is difficult to believe that the Maoists are so naïve as not to see which way the wind is blowing. It will be a great pity if the Maoists deprive themselves of the unique opportunity of leading the government by their sheer obduracy. The people of Nepal have placed greater faith in them without giving them a clear mandate. They are on trial. Their main task is to draft the constitution and not to strengthen their various organizations. They have to know that it might not be possible to achieve their objective if they are not at the helms. And they also must know they cannot dislodge Girija Prasad Koirala. Koirala, as we all know, has always being a satellite all through his political eminence in the last eighteen years, taking decisions only at the advice of his mentors. The Maoists have screwed a lot of concessions from him. But they may no more. It is being rumored Koirala has been well tutored not to give in this time. And Koirala definitely does not look any more malleable. All the high sounding rhetoric of the Maoists leadership might not be able to make any dent on Koirala’s imperturbability because it might be fortified by invisible forces.
The one and only purpose or the mandate of this constituent assembly is to draft the people’s constitution. Any political party trying to violate or transgress this mandate would be betraying the people and might have to pay dearly. Let the constitution decide our destiny and the nation’s fate. The twenty six million people will not accept anything other than that and this demands that the draft of the constitution be put before the people for their approval. Since the people have lost faith in the older political parties they have decided to give a chance to the Maoists not caring how they secured the largest number of seats. The Nepali people sincerely want the Maoists to set an example of honesty and patriotism by not following the pliant and servile behavior of their predecessors. They must not be carried away by their doctrines or dogmas and subject themselves only to secure nation’s cooperation in the pious task of enacting the constitution. They must restore the nation’s pride by becoming their own masters. The Singhs, the Yechuris or the Soods must not be permitted to decide our country’s destiny. As such, instead of giving vacant threats to king Gyanendra, they should concentrate on the more important task. They must not try to encroach upon the people’s rights which could be counter- productive. They must not forget that they have to redeem our mortgaged sovereignty. And thy must give due respect to our nation’s army and not disparage them. History is witness our brave Nepali army adorned by men like the great patriot Bhakti Thapa, will never fail to rise when the occasion demands. A few selfish and unpatriotic men won’t make any difference. And this is the time when the Nepali army and all the Nepali people have to join hands to preserve the sanctity and sovereignty of the nation.
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