National 4 (Spotlight Weekly)

Banking On Votes

The split in the ruling Nepali Congress has widened the field for the CPN-UML and RPP in the upcoming elections

By A CORRESSPONDENT

Despite their formal division into two camps, Nepali Congress stalwarts have not given up on efforts to bring the two factions together before the general elections. And the reason is clear enough. The split in Congress ranks has widened the field for the CPN-UML and RPP.

Although both Congress factions have launched nationwide campaigns to reorganize their party, a large number of workers are still uncertain about their allegiance. Despite the vigorous efforts by the faction led by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba to assert itself, former prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala still has a clear command over the party organization.

Nepal : Waiting in the wings?

In terms of election campaigning, the UML is clearly in the lead. Leaders of the main opposition party are addressing several meetings each day in various parts of the country. General secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal has toured more than a dozen districts to address party workers.

The UML considers itself the prime beneficiary. If elections are held in a free and fair manner, UML leaders say, no force can stop the party from securing a majority. "A divided Congress is in the best interest of the UML in the general elections," said a political analyst.

UML leaders are supporting the election also to prove their commitment to the political process envisaged by the current constitution. "We believe in the verdict of the people," declared UML general secretary Nepal. "If the Nepali Congress is really a democratic political force, it should face the people ." Despite the continuing threat of violence in the countryside, the UML leadership has asked its cadres to launch house-to-house campaigns.

"This is also the right time for the Maoists also to join mainstream politics," said Nepal. "History has shown that one cannot rule the country through violence. The government must guarantee security to the people."

Other senior UML leaders, too, are criss-crossing the country. Former deputy prime minister Bam Dev Gautam has already visited the western and far western regions. "There is no option other than to participate in the elections," said Gautam. "Political matters should be solved politically."

The UML has directed its former MPs to visit their constituencies. "I have just visited my constituency in Salyan. If the government provides security, there can be elections," said Prakash Jwala, a former MP. "I contested the last elections in a similar situation."

The RPP, the third largest party in the dissolved House of Representatives, also has decided to hit the campaign trail. Party leaders are organizing regional meetings. The RPP has already announced its first regional party workers meet in Pokhara.

Although UML leaders are relatively inexperienced compared to their counterparts in the Nepali Congress and RPP, they have shown enough maturity in the political arena. The UML, which reunited recently after suffering a serious split four years ago, has been able to divide the Nepali Congress by playing one faction against the other.

The fact that the legality of the dissolution of the House of Representatives is being discussed at the apex court has discouraged the UML from kicking up their election campaign. After all, each crack in the Nepali Congress organizational structure that widens would work to the benefit of the UML.