OPINION (Spotlight Weekly)

National Consensus Needed To Stop Destabilization

By Kuber Sharma, President, Green Nepal Party

I like to call it a "Cultural Shock". The massacre at the Royal palace on 1st June, 2001 was indeed, very shocking to all. The emotional Nepalese were deeply moved by this inhuman, cruel and gruesome tragedy. However, the awful incident could not distract those Nepalese who are craving for a change to get relief from rampant corruption and bad governance. The Royal Palace killings is, in no way, connected with the dissatisfaction and anger of common man. For that reason I prefer to call it a "Cultural Shock".

The political tremor is yet to come. The agitation against corruption and abuse of authority was there before the sad incident and would continue. The palace mishap has accelerated the destabilization process which had started with the declaration of mid-term poll in 2051 (1994). Not only Prime Ministers were changed like socks, the destabilization also gave birth to many anomalies in our nascent democracy. As if that was not enough the Nepali people witnessed three kings in as many days. In five years the Maoist people's war has spread like wildfire from the Himalayas to the plain lands near the Indian border in the south. Unrest and economic ruin is on the rise. The elected government is proving to be corrupt, weak and incapable to govern. Whenever the government becomes weak due to unpopularity it strikes on civil rights and press freedom -- consequently further weakening the democracy.

The "Raj Parishad" a body of powerful and elite Nepalese formed to take bold and wise decisions at times of national crisis decided to exalt the Crown Prince who was in coma due to a bullet injury in brain. Doctors attending on him did not expect the Crown Prince to survive. The Regent, Prince Gyanendra was made to announce that the "mishap occurred due to sudden blasts of automatic weapon." Royal bodyguards, battalions posted inside the palace for exclusive protection of king, military, police and their chiefs claimed that their sphere of operation did not cover security within the doors of the palace. Therefore, "they were directly/indirectly or morally not responsible for the accident". The Prime Minister (also in-charge of palace affairs) and Defence Minister did not show any sense of guilt for such a grave happening. Like the Kangaroo hiding his baby, the Prime Minister shielded his Defense Minister. Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister made frequent statements but each of his new statement contradicted the previous one. The report of high powered investigation committee under the chairmanship of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court only exposed the fact that the governance of Nepal was in total disarray.

When the government becomes irresponsible and ineffective the possibility of coup d'tat becomes real. Similarly, when elected leaders become corrupt, incapable and vision-less, the chances of political revolution are high. Since the mid term election of 1994, I have been telling people -- that a big boulder is rolling down the mountain top, we have to watch and see how many heads are crushed before it reaches the ground. Chaos and instability must end soon. To avoid disorder and disturbance in state affairs the Royal family have been following the ritual of carrying the deceased king's corpse to the funeral only after the new king is proclaimed. I cannot agree to those who advocate that the new king should be given time to take serious decisions. To meet the challenges of agitation or to restore normalcy after revolution or to gain public support, the new ruler must introduce some revolutionary and popular programs. At the moment of crisis if the ruler cannot show the courage and wisdom, the events may overtake. This simple truth should be accepted by His Majesty the King, the government, the political parties and the entire enlightened Nepalese.

At this period of national catastrophe, the only way to end confusion and instability seems to be an all side conference of political parties, religious organizations, civil society, intellectuals and prominent personalities -- to spell out a common national goal. While paying tribute to the late King Birendra, Green Nepal Party had said -- "At the time of confusion and crisis created by the savage act all responsible Nepalese and political parties should bring about timely changes in their outlook in the interest of the country and democracy. We should learn a lesson that conservative and insensitive stand can cause unimaginable damages."

While expressing our heartfelt felicitations to HM King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, we have outlined the problems and proposed their solutions. "The unexpected painful incident at the Royal Palace has weakened the institution of monarchy, and history has put on Your Majesty's shoulder a difficult responsibility of creating stability, strengthening the constitutional monarchy and multiparty democracy with people's support. Hariyali Nepal Party is committed to the constitutional monarchy and multiparty democracy. Our party, alone or along with others is working towards safeguarding Nepal's sovereignty, nationality, national heritage, monarchy and democracy."

The anomalies and distortions seen in our present exercise of democracy -- corruption, mismanagement of public resources and machinery, ineffectiveness of the constitutional organs, civil service, police and military due to politicization -- are the outcome of the total disregard of the rule of law by the representatives of the people. In order to overcome these maladies, existing laws should be amended and strictly enforced. all errant and corrupt politicians must be booked and put behind the bars and their ill-gotten wealth confiscated. This action should receive priority and to expedite it, an ordinance can be issued, if necessary. Our party further reiterates that responsibility and accountability should be enforced on all constitutional organs and administrative offices to promptly carry out the decisions and in case of defaults, punishment should be meted out to all concerned. All people, irrespective of their status and influence, should receive equal treatment before the law. We are confident that Your Majesty's wisdom, determination and selflessness will help to discharge the difficult task brilliantly.

Today, the exigencies in our country require unanimous consensus in solving the burning issues facing us -- like Maoist insurgency, holding of free and fair election and the economic disparity. The Raj Parishad must initiate an all sides conference of political parties, voluntary organizations and individuals in the presence of the King where the Maoist leaders, too, must be invited. They must deliberate to arrive at a consensus. Hariyali Nepal Party is confident of the people's support to the policy and programs agreed upon at the conference. That should be the national agenda.