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Kathmandu Thursday May 31, 2001 Jestha 18, 2058.
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A strike too many
The three day general strike called by the
alliance of six left parties and spearheaded by the main opposition UML, proved to be a
disaster claiming at least six lives. Four persons died as they could not be rushed to
hospital in time. The three day closure affected normal life for the general public across
the country. Educational institutions, public and private transport, government offices
and even private hospitals remained closed for 72 hours as a result of threats from the
left alliance including the CPN-UML. The six left parties have been exerting pressure on
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala to resign for his alleged involvement in the
controversial deal to lease an aircraft for Royal Nepal Airlines from Austria-based Lauda
Air. Thae CIAA has charge sheeted Tarini Dutt Chataut who had quit his post as Minister
for Tourism and Civil Aviation over the Lauda deal. There were allegations that the Prime
Minister too was involved and he, therefore, has no moral authority to remain in the
country’s top executive post. The questionnaire, sent to the Prime Minister by the
CIAA last month, also indicates that he could have had a hand in the Lauda deal. The deal
has caused the country a direct loss of 389 million rupees.
During the month of May, the country has
suffered a series of disruptions. A three day general strike preceded by total closure of
private schools for seven days including for three days at the call of the Private and
Boarding Schools Organization of Nepal was painful for students as well as for the
national economy. The pain and suffering that this nation has had to undergo because of
wrong moves by political parties is there for all to see and experience. This is something
which has never become a matter of concern to any political party. The three day
"bandh", for instance, pained everyone, but the ruling party continues to boast
of a parliamentary majority and gives little or no weightage to public opinion. Thanks to
our political parties, the ailing economy has been subjected to further strain by the
strikes. The rate of poverty has increased because the poor have been denied work as a
result of frequent strikes. This apart, many secondary schools could not hold regular
examinations for three days in Baglung and surrounding districts. Strikes have made the
daily life of the poor harder and also made a mockery of democracy as it is practised in
this country. The UML must admit that there were some ugly incidents of vandalism and
clashes between police personnel and party cadres. They paralyzed daily economic activity
by pushing the country towards political chaos. It is more than likely that frequency of
strikes can trigger social unrest unless both ruling and opposition parties learn to act
and behave in a people-oriented manner.
The political situation of the country has taken
a chaotic turn ever since Prime Minister Koirala refused to resign. The Prime Minister
should also admit that he has failed to maintain law and order or provide security to the
general public. At a time when the country faces crisis after crisis, he has no right to
remain in office even if he has a House majority. It is time he learnt to act for the good
of the people and country rather than continuing to listen to a bunch of sycophants.
Educational reform : Put effort where needed most
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