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VOL. 27, NO. 35, May 16, 2008 (Jestha 01 2065 B.S.)
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Collision Course
Major partners in toppling the royal regime are drifting apart ahead of the planned abolition of monarchy
By SUSHIL SHARMA
The seven-party coalition is on the verge of collapse. Over an issue they were united till the other day -- the monarchy.The first meeting of the constituent assembly is fast approaching. Less than two weeks remain now.
The Maoists have been exceptionally vocal about the declaration of a republic on the first day. They have set deadline for the king to leave Narayanhity. They have warned to storm the palace, if the monarch defied.
The “enthusiasm” of the single largest party has however not been matched by the rest in the assembly.The others, notably the Nepali Congress and the UML, are too preoccupied with deliberations on how to tame, if not stop, a Maoist-led government.
Their fears have shifted now from the vestiges of “autocratic monarchy” to the ghost of “communist authoritarianism” of the Maoists.
The conditions set for a future coalition with the red brigade emanate from that fear.
On their part, the Maoists are in a hurry to move beyond the seven-party alliance. Having left the two major partners far behind in the CA polls – in terms of seats if not the votes.
The Maoists have accused prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala of dilly-dallying in handing over power to them. And in moving a republic motion in the first meeting of the CA.
Thundered Baburam Bhattarai, “Koirala has shown greed for power by refusing to step down immediately after the Nepali Congress fared badly in the polls.”
“We will throw the king out of the palace if he did vacate it before the first meeting of the CA.”
But some key non-Maoist leaders have doubts.
“The Maoist strategy appears to shift the blame on other parties mainly the Nepali Congress on a possible change in plans to declare a republic,” according to a prominent Nepali Congress leader,
“That is why they held dialogue with the king’s representatives keeping the other parties in the dark.” said the Nepali Congress luminary with close ties with the Maoists since the peace process began two years ago,
The Maoists reject such suggestion outright. But, one thing they can not deny is that the seven-party coalition is cracking under the weight of their recent poll showing. Notwithstanding the oft-repeated stress on continuing the alliance.
Said an analyst, “having made most of the alliance with the Nepali Congress and the UML, the Maoists want to go it alone, now.” Looking for new partners from unlikely quarters.
