Editorial (Spotlight Weekly)

The dismissal of Sher Bahadur Deuba government by King Gyanendra has generated a constitutional imbroglio. Deuba's recommendation to the King to postpone the elections for one year was in itself unconstitutional. The inept Prime Minister had pushed the country in a constitutional cul-de-sac by not being able to hold the elections in the time stipulated by the constitution. The only way out for him then was to resign and let the King face the music. But his perverted love for power and pelf could not impel him to follow the right and honorable path. And he thought the King would buy his unconstitutional recommendation. Poor Deuba was so madly stricken with love for the chair of authority that he failed to realize that sovereigns always work in the interest of the nation. King Gyanendra had no option but to dismiss the prime minister. If Deuba's recommendation was out and out unconstitutional, King Gyanendra's action was quite constitutional as stipulated for in clause 127 of the constitution. There was overwhelming jubilation in the whole country at the dismissal of the corrupt government. As promised King Gyanendra appointed a caretaker government with a skeleton cabinet which needs expansion. Since it all happened in the midst of Dashain, the biggest festive season of the country, when all activities, official and non-official, come to grinding halt for more than a week, the caretaker Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand is yet to act. The composition of the cabinet too has generated a mixed reaction but people are expectantly waiting to see more clean and patriotic politicians in the cabinet. The caretaker government has only one mandate — restore peace and hold the general relection as early as possible. Indeed, King Gyanendra's decision to dismiss the elected government must have been well calculated and in the best interests of the country. Except the corrupt politicians and those who had been happy fishing in the troubled waters, all patriotic Nepalese and good friends and well wishers of Nepal must welcome this move and extend their unstinted cooperation to King Gyanendra in this hour of Nepal's national crisis. No one need harbor any misconception that King Gyanendra is happy over the recent happening or he would continue with this state of affairs for long. What he did, in reality, was overdue. The right follow up of this drastic step is all that matters now. Prime Minister Chand, if he is really keen to make any positive contribution, must stop wooing the corrupt politicians to join his government. Their proper place is behind the bars and Chand must expedite the process of sending them there. If these corrupt rulers are punished for their crimes against the state and the people at the earliest possible time, Chand would not only render an invaluable service to the country but win instant popularity of his countrymen and justify his appointment. If these degenerate politicians were again brought back to join the cabinet, the dismissal of Deuba government by King Gyanendra will lose not only its efficacy but even the raison d'ętre. It might even reverse the trend of euphoria into frustration in the people. As such, it is most imperative for King Gyanendra to withstand pressures from all quarters and stick to his policy of taking only men of integrity and clean image into the cabinet. Premier Chand knows fully well that it is not difficult for him to find honest and patriotic politicians. At a time when the house stands dissolved, the insistence of the tried and found wanting political parties to become a part of the government will only prove counterproductive and is sure to hurt the image of monarchy. Because the main motive of these political parties is to misuse official authority to influence the elections, whenever they take place, in their favor. Since one of his mandates is to book and punish the corrupt politicians, if he starts hobnobbing with these corrupt political parties, people will not only lose faith in his cleanliness but his tenure too might be cut short. Premier Chand must put them to summury trials and mete out most stringent punishments with least delay. Justice has to be quick and prompt and if need be the government can frame necessary laws for this purposes. Because justice delayed is justice denied.

* * *

All those politicians that are crying hoarse that King Gyanendra has acted unconstitutionally are only trying to hoodwink the masses and doing a great disservice to the country. It is high time now for the Chand government to expose their criminal behavior to the people so that the people may also teach them some lessons. At these trying times the country is facing, all good friends of Nepal have to shake off their hypocritical behavior and extend their hand of sincere cooperation to pave an early way for an elected government to take over as early as possible. If they are genuine votaries of peace and democracy and sincerely want to alleviate poverty in Nepal, they must eschew supporting a few corrupt politicians who have brought this poor country to such a terrible situation. They also should not overlook the reality that democracy and constitution are not the end in themselves but only means to a better and fuller life. Consequently they can be amended, pruned or even scrapped to suit the exigencies of the nation. No nation would like to imperil its sovereignty only to safeguard its constitution. We all know constitutions are made for the country, countries are not made for the constitution. Friends of Nepal have got to understand that Nepal appreciates their friendship and is grateful to them for their support and cooperation. They also must not overlook the fact that Nepal can withstand all uncalled for pressures and defend its inalienable right of self-preservation. Nepal's friends, near and far, must not fail to realize that she is well aware of their attitude and behavior. Nepal's King Gyanendra is working hard to save the country from disaster. If it is a testing time for him and the Nepalese people, it is no less a testing time for Nepal's friends and well wishers. As such, we do hope that they will not hesitate to standby our King and share his concern and bear with him. They cannot afford to sacrifice the interest of twenty three million poor Nepalese for the sake of befriending a handful of anti-Nepalese hoodlums.

* * *

That the Nepalese rebels known as the Maoists had been using Indian territory as their sanctuary has been proved beyond a ray of doubt. They also received help and cooperation from India and were used by the Indians to destablise Nepal has also been well established. Since their main objective of fighting, the corrupt and anti-national governments of Nepali Congress has been achieved all the Nepalese brothers and sisters who had been forced to take up arms against the state must stop their violent activities and no more spill any Nepalese blood. They must understand that like all patriotic forces they have to terminate their unholy association with alien forces if they want to avoid the fate of Nepali Congress leadership. That the alien forces have always created fissures amongst us and will continue to do so if we, even now, fail to see through their designs. We need not go very far for concrete proofs. The Indian Information Minister Sushma Swaraj was more than explicit in her comments while talking to Nepalese journalists touring India as official guests. South Block proteges like S.D. Muni do not mince their words inciting Nepalese people against their monarchy. As such, all nationalistic forces must unite and fight this evil, tooth and nail. It is high time now for the Maoist leadership to start serious dialogue with the government and join the mainstream of Nepalese politics for speedy economic development of the country. The Maoists along with other patriotic forces of Nepal can drive the anti-national elements away from Nepalese politics for all time to come.