National 1 (Spotlight Weekly)

Extension Exertion

A faction of the ruling party and the opposition are playing political games

By KESHAB POUDEL

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba's decision to seek a six-month extension of the state of emergency has complicated the uneasy relationship between the government and the ruling Nepali Congress. Deuba's decision has also come under fire from the opposition camp.

But political parties have not been able to come up with a rational argument to oppose Deuba's proposal. Their contrived posturing could fade out as soon as the government puts the proposal to a vote in parliament.

"We will take a final decision only after consulting with various political leaders in the opposition, intellectuals and other representatives of civil society," said Madhav Kumar Nepal, leader of the opposition in the House of Representatives.

Nepal (Left) and Koirala : Unholy alliance

Although a strong faction led by former prime minister and Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala and other opposition parties are yet to announce their official position, the government seems confident that the extension motion will sail through the legislature.

The government's confidence is partially rooted in its recognition that the opposition parties do not have a choice. All political parties support the mobilization of security forces against the Maoists, but they are questioning the need for extending the state of emergency. It seems that opposing the state of emergency is just a political ploy to pressure Prime Minister Deuba.

"There is no need to keep the state of emergency just to mobilize the army," said Arjun Narsingh KC, spokesman of ruling party. "Prime Minister Deuba called the special session of parliament without consulting the party leadership on the need to extend the emergency."

Amid growing differences of opinion between the government and parties over the issue, Deuba continued consultations with all mainstream political leaders. The main opposition UML also was huddled in extensive consultations with other political parties.

"We hope that parliament will endorse the proposal to extend the emergency for another six months," said Minister of Information and Communication Jaya Prakash Ananda Gupta, who also serves as the spokesman for the government.

According to the constitution, the state of emergency will expire on May 23. It can be extended for another six month by a two-thirds majority of the House of Representatives. After the Maoists mounted assaults on army barracks after withdrawing from peace talks in November last year, the government imposed the emergency and deployed the military to quell the rebellion. The emergency order was ratified by a massive parliamentary majority in February.

"How can former prime minister Koirala impose his will on such a serious national issue when he cannot enforce his party's recommendation on disciplinary action against a minister," said a political analyst.

Neither the government nor the party establishment, including the opposition, has made an effort to evaluate the achievements and lapses of the state of emergency. Had they done enough homework, they might have gained some ground to convince the country that an extension of the emergency was not warranted.

Instead, political leaders are playing internal political games, which would ultimately harm their own interests and erode their legitimacy. "Mainstream political leaders are losing their own political utility," said a political analyst.

"Even the powerful American and other western coalition forces are finding it difficult to know the whereabouts of Osama bin Laden and other Al Qaeda leaders. How can Nepal's poorly equipped security personnel complete their job without the sympathy and support of these countries," said a political analyst.

When all political parties have reached a consensus on the need to mobilize security personnel to restore law and order, it would be not easy for them to vote against a measure seeking to facilitate the anti-insurgency operations. n