FEATURES NEWS THE RISING NEPAL (DAILY)

Peace Process And Political Parties
Call For Unstinted Cooperation

By Paras Kharel

AMONG the key features of democracy are promotion of freedom, social harmony, tolerance and economic development. Without social harmony and rule of law, the desired goals of democracy will only be a mirage. A democratic society encourages and tolerates a culture of diversity. A multiethnic and multicultural society like that of Nepal needs to constantly take these into consideration as a matter of both principle and practice. Diverse interests in our society are natural, as is the case in other countries as well. The need is to ensure unity in diversity.

Forum

In this regard political parties have a pivotal role to play. Serving as a forum for diverse ideas, they contribute to strengthening of democracy. The world of politics is in essence a free market of political ideas representing different shades of opinion. The like-minded get organised under a party umbrella, and a plethora of such parties represent the interests and voices of a broad cross-section of the society. Hence the importance of political parties for a pluralistic society. In addition, democracy depends upon lively, free and fearless debate and discussion via political parties.

Given such importance of political parties, not surprisingly Nepal also saw nearly three decades of struggle for political pluralism that resulted in the restoration of multiparty polity in 1990. A new constitution, promulgated the same year, guarantees in the preamble itself multiparty democracy for "the widest possible participation of the Nepalese people."

With their role highlighted in the constitution, it enjoins upon the political parties to work for public interest, developing sound political culture plus espousing norms and values that consolidate the tenets of democracy. However, the last 13 years of multiparty democracy have witnessed them fail miserably on various fronts. Corruption soared to dizzying heights eating into the vitals of the economy. Throwing all democratic norms and values to the winds, the political parties did nothing to prevent or check institutionalised corruption, nepotism and cronyism. People were regarded as mere stepping stones to power and it became a habit among political leaders to promise much and deliver little or nothing. All the while, the concerns and grievances of an average Nepali were hardly addressed or redressed.

Hopes of wide-ranging socioeconomic reforms that people had entertained while ushering in multiparty democracy proved illusory. An ever-increasing section of the population continued to reel under abject poverty and all its inherent side-effects. In short, only a perverse electoral democracy prevailed but functioning democracy failed to evolve.

It was against this background that the Maoist movement surfaced seven years ago. The prevalent political malpractice and the tendency of parliamentary parties to ride roughshod over the wishes of the public provided a fertile ground for the so-called people's war that claimed over 7000 lives, and injured and displaced enormously more. As a consequence, the conflict dealt a severe blow to the economy of this poverty-stricken country.

In any democracy, a certain degree of conflict might not be unnatural, what with different interest groups trying to fulfil their own agendas. At times, conflict is essential to bring to light burning issues and problems in a society. However, the thrust should be to resolve it by serious debate and discussion followed by concrete actions before it aggravates and degenerates into violence. This calls for timely measures aimed at addressing and alleviating the problems faced by the downtrodden, the poor, and the marginalised groups. Surely, political parties can contribute a lot to resolving such conflicts, provided they display a zeal and commitment to that effect.

Now that the government and the Maoists have agreed on a cease-fire and talks are likely to begin anytime soon. The nation is at a crucial crossroad. A sense of relief pervades the entire kingdom. Political parties now have to rise to this historical opportunity in bringing about lasting peace-the foremost wish of all Nepalese. So far, apart from welcoming the cease-fire, that too halfheartedly, the major political parties have not demonstrated much willingness to participate in the peace process. Apparently failing to come to terms with the changed ground reality, they are obstinately sticking to opposing the October 14 royal measure, which in the first place must be credited with bringing the rebels to the negotiating table. That they have not been able to agree on exactly what would rectify the so-called violation of the constitution is a clear indication that they are still bogged down by petty party and personal interests, and are not protesting on the grounds of principle.

Before it's too late, political parties must immediately confirm their participation in the on-going peace drive. A good way to start might be attending the all-party meeting that the Chand-government has repeatedly called for but which they have been steadfastly boycotting. Now is the opportune moment for political parties to sink petty interests and differences, and rise above immediate gains for the larger cause of democracy and public welfare. Owing to their vast organisation and network nationwide, they can effectively mobilise people, from grassroots level and upwards, in guiding the peace process to its logical conclusion.

In sum, there is no doubt that political parties have collectively failed in the past 13 years. They now have an opportunity to make amends for their past mistakes and steer Nepal into a promising future where an active role for them is guaranteed. Or else they will have only themselves to blame for being consigned to the dustbin of history.

Approach

The peace process and agenda for talks should see to it that the voices of all sections of society are truly reflected, be it in terms of representation, decision-making mechanism or fruits of freedom and development. Such an approach should contribute to conflict reduction, if not prevention altogether.

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