The Political Scenario Wait And Watch

By Yuba Nath Lamsal

THE politics of the country took a new turn after the October 4 Royal Address. His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev dismissed Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and took over the executive powers. His Majesty the King cited incompetence for the dismissal of Prime Minister Deuba. The King had nominated Deuba as the caretaker Prime Minister, following the dissolution of the House of Representatives and the announcement of the date for the general elections on Prime Minister's own recommendation.

Preparation

The Election Commission had also made preparation to hold timely elections and published the election programmes. Just, two days before the date for filing nominations, the then Prime Minister suddenly and abruptly recommended for the postponement of the election citing poor security situation.

The main responsibility of the caretaker government was to hold the elections. When the election was announced, everybody knew that the situation was not conducive for the polls. The then Prime Minister also must have been aware of this.

Moreover, maintaining law and order and improving security situation was the responsibility of the government. Law and order deteriorated and Maoist violence intensified because of the incompetence of the then government. When a government cannot fulfil its main responsibility- holding general election, it is either irresponsible or incompetent.

The recommendation to postpone general elections for one year was in itself faulty and unconstitutional. The Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal 1990 (Article-53) clearly states that the interval between the two consecutive sessions of parliament should not be more than six months. But postponement of general election means that the session of the House cannot be held within six months, which is clearly a violation of both the letter and spirit of this constitutional provision. The duty of the government is to uphold the constitution and resist any move from any sector to violate the statute. However, the then government itself went one step ahead just to cling to power.

Moreover, the intention behind the postponement of the election was also conspicuous. It was clear that Deuba wanted to prolong his tenure as Prime Minister by postponing the election so that he could cling to power and strengthen his newly born party. Yet there was no guarantee that situation would improve in the period of one year.

Thus, His Majesty the King had no option other than this. Those who have already violated the constitution have no right to raise the question of constitutionality. If the past 12 years of multi-party democracy are any witness, it was the monarchy that has strictly respected and adhered to the Constitution. Political parties always interpreted the constitution in the way that suited their partisan interests.

The country is, no doubt, in crisis. The nation is without elected representatives. The House of Representatives is not in existence. Deuba government had also dissolved all the local governments-village development committees and district development committees.

This is a situation created by the political parties themselves. The twelve years of democratic system was marked by incompetence, bitter power struggle, instability, partisan interest rather than national interest. They destroyed all established institutions. Bureaucracy was made a shadow of party in power. Educational institutions badly suffered from heavy politicisation. Corruption became rampant. Pursuit of power and office was guided by the prospect of ill-gotten gains.

Parties and leaders talked loudly about democracy, reforms, limited role of the government, good, transparent and accountable government and promotion of private sector. However, the reality was different. High-handedness of the government became stronger. Corporations were turned into recruiting ground for party workers. In the name of privatisation, some profit making public enterprises were sold out.

Never did parties and leader try to institutionalise democracy and develop democratic culture. This undermined the very essence of democratic process and culture.

People had already lost their faith in political parties and their leaders. Leaders did not have the courage of going to the people because of their own misconduct.

All political parties are responsible for the present crisis. Nepali Congress ruled the country most of the time during the 12 years of democratic era. Thus, its contribution for the crisis is more than that of others. CPN-UML, RPP and Sadbhavana Party should also share the responsibility as they also went to power at different periods.

Deuba and his government proved to be incompetent. He came to power with the promise of solving Maoist problem. He promised to curb corruption and give a good government. He promised to hold general elections in free, fair and peaceful manner. But he failed on all fronts.

Democracy is the best and most widely acclaimed political system. It is hard to achieve. More difficult is to maintain it. When a democratic system falls into the hand of incompetent people and irresponsible parties, people's faith on democracy erodes. That has been the case of Nepal.

Commitment

Violence, bad governance, corruption and instability have afflicted the country. It is a time for all of us to be united to cure the wound of the country. As the country is in crisis, it is also the time for all political forces and people to cooperate for the interest of the nation. His Majesty the King has formed a new government and entrusted it with the responsibility of maintaining law and order and holding general elections as soon as possible. The newly appointed Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand has also expressed commitment to accomplish his twin jobs in time. Let us hope the country would again see peace and prosperity with the collective efforts of all.

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