EDITOR'S NOTE

The bitter struggle for power between the two factions in the Nepali Congress has proved, once again, that Nepal is still not fit for democracy. In the first general elections after restoration of democracy ten years ago, Nepali Congress did secure absolute majority. But Girija Koirala, who was the Prime Minister called for a midterm elections plunging the country into a political instability that could only give very fragile coalition governments. Now, in the second general elections again, the Nepali Congress has managed to win an absolute majority. But only six months after the formation of a stable majority government, the serious in-fighting in the ruling party has pushed the country to the precipice of political and economic disaster. Thus giving a bad name to the very concept of democratic governance. And the 'Thekedars' of Democracy are smiling in their sleeves. Nor does the king seem to be giving serious consideration of acting in accordance with clause 115 of the constitution. In the last one decade all the political leaders who have assumed power have unequivocally exposed their inability to rise above selfish interest and work in the interest of the poor people. They have amassed ill gotten wealth that will last them for generations. We have even exhorted the United Nations Organization to establish an Internation Tribunal to investigate and try the corrupt politicians in the poor countries of the Third World. Since the illiterate and starving millions in the poorest-countries like Nepal are not in a position to resist even small temptations and influence the course of events by rejecting the corrupt politicians in the elections, the International Organization cannot afford to overlook setting up the tribunal if it really wants to uplift the poor masses. Since the situation is getting to be extremely volatile, there is no time for patience. And patience is the quality which only rich people with full bellies can exercise. Starving people cannot practise patience. They want food to survive and that too right now.

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The special session of the Parliament, as we had predicted, will not be able to produce any tangible result. What does the hue and cry about soaring prices, corruption or non-governance mean to Nepalese politicians? They are so thick skinned nothing will penetrate their hide. Neither do they understand subtle criticisms. As such, whether it be on the floor of parliament, on the street, in the jungles and hills or the media, our rulers are immune to criticisms. They will pursue their one obsession in whatever circumstances — furthering their petty personal interests. Consequently the special session has contributed only to swell the allowances of the members, which the resources of the country could hardly afford.

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The barrage of uproar appearing in Nepalese print media against the insensitive and unstatesmanlike remarks of prime Minster Krishna Prasad Bhattarai would have shamed any other lesser person. On top of that Bhattarai went a step further and demeaned our army and police. It has shocked the entire patriotic community of the country that the chief executive has not hesitated to castigate his own defense forces publicly. And for what? Only to satisfy his ego that he is in the position of making any kind of statements he likes. These kinds of remarks do put a big question mark on his loyalty towards the nation.