National 6 (Spotlight Weekly)

'Our Problems Can Be Solved If The King And Political Parties Work Together'

— RABINDRA NATH SHARMA

RABINDRA NATH SHARMA, senior leader of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), is a well-known personality in Nepalese politics. Sharma, who is contesting the election for party president, spoke to SPOTLIGHT on various issues at his residence. Excerpts:

The formation of the new government has sparked a fierce debate over the exercise of the Constitution of Kingdom of Nepal 1990. How do you look at it?

In the present situation, it is not wise to debate over which articles of the constitution have been properly exercised or which articles have been violated. There is no meaning in discussing which act is legitimate and which is not. Instead of reading the articles of the constitution, this is the time to go for political decisions. When you talk about political matters, there is no point in arguing over articles and clauses of the constitution.

Do you mean there is a need for a political decision to end the constitutional deadlock?

Yes. It is entirely a political matter. We must search for answers to the existing political stalemate politically. Right now, our political, economic and social systems have been derailed. The present challenge lies in placing the systems back on the track. If we spend valuable time discussing the clauses and spirit of the constitution, the situation will go out of control. Instead of going for confrontation, the King and parties have to develop a certain understanding to put the derailed train back on track. We must avoid confrontation, as the country has already been paying a heavy price. If the King and political parties agree to work together, there can be a solution to every problem. The only question is how the parties and the King can come closer to support each other.

Don't you think elections are necessary?

Of course, holding elections for the House of Representatives is the only solution to the crisis. But you must have a certain understanding to make that possible. I don't think the elections can be held without creating certain understanding between the King and political forces.

How do you view the demand of some major parties to reinstate the House of Representatives?

I don't think a restored house will give any solution. There may be some valid constitutional basis behind the demands to reinstate the House of Representatives. I don't think this is acceptable to all. Even the CPN-UML has expressed a different opinion. We must find a solution acceptable to the King and political parties. Elections are the only ultimate solution.

Is it possible to hold elections when Maoist violence is raging across the country?

A conducive atmosphere for the elections can be created by opening negotiations with the Maoists and a massive mobilization of security forces. We have to adopt both strategies simultaneously. Mobilization of the security forces is the basic duty of the state to protect the constitution and constitutional system. Security forces need to be put on alert to maintain law and order to protect the citizens. It is the obligation of the state to provide security and protect the life and property of the citizens. Talks are a political matter. The government has to keep in mind what it really wants to achieve in the dialogue. If we analyze the statements of the Maoists, they always come up with a clear agenda. The Maoists are honest in the sense that they have already declared that dialogue is also part of their struggle, that it is not an end but a means. When the country is passing through such a difficult phase, dialogue is also a medium of averting crises temporarily. If we want to have a permanent solution, we must address the core issues that brewed the insurgency. Even Maoists see dialogue as a strategy. The government, too, has to adopt a similar strategy.

What needs to be done to resolve the Maoist insurgency?

If we do not address the real problems in the grass-roots level, including political, economic and social, we will not find a solution. Even if the present Maoist leaders agree to a cease-fire or agree to surrender weapons, another group may come up and continue the violence. We need to go for political reforms by accommodating all ethnic groups and backward classes in mainstream politics. We must formulate reservation in education and other sectors for the backward classes. There is a wide gap in income distribution among various groups of people. There is large-scale unemployment. We must address all these problems to end the insurgency.

As RPP leader Lokendra Bahadur Chand is heading the government, what suggestions has your party given him?

First, this is not a party government. It is a government formed under the wishes of His Majesty the King. We are happy that the King has appointed our leader as prime minister. This is not an RPP government. As our party leader is the prime minister, the RPP has supported this government burying all our differences. This is our compulsion also. Our party is facing a very difficult time, since it has split twice in the last 12 years. We don't want another split.

Your party is attending all-party meetings and supporting the government. Isn't this your double standard?

You cannot call it double standard. It's our political compulsion. Since our leader is leading the government, our party has to bear the responsibility of its failures and successes. This is why we have been supporting the government. I don't think this government will undertake vital tasks of reform, as it has a limited mandate.

What, then, is the mandate of the government?

The mandate of the government is to hold the elections and resume peace talks with the Maoists. The government cannot start dialogue with the Maoists alone. The government needs active support from all major parties represented in parliament. The Maoists would probably like to see greater confrontation between the government and political parties.

What will happen if this confrontation widens?

It would benefit the Maoists. But in long run, confrontation would be harmful for the country. Either the Maoists have to take over or foreign forces will do so. Given Nepal's geo-strategic location and changing global perceptions, there will be foreign intervention in case of an upsurge of Maoist violence. I don't think it is possible for the Maoist to take over. In the condition of growing Maoist insurgency, we may have to see foreign intervention.

How can we avert such a situation?

Like I have already said, we have to avoid confrontation and develop understanding among all political forces, including the Maoists. If the government starts to solve the Maoist problem, it will find a way to hold elections.

The Sher Bahadur Deuba government held talks with the Maoists, but look at what happened. How can you guarantee that fresh dialogue would succeed?

I don't think any government would hold talks in the way Sher Bahadur Deuba did - allowing Maoists to violate the law and sending his own security personnel into the barracks. It was a major blunder. Peace talks and prompt measures to maintain law and order should go together. We cannot hold talks without preparing the agenda. No talks can succeed that way. We must make clear our terms and conditions to the other side.

Can't you start negotiations without an agenda?

As you know, peace talks are the only way to settle all kinds of problems. The government and Maoists have to go for negotiations. Even the LTTE and Sri Lankan government agreed to peace negotiations. There is no reason why the Maoists and the government cannot do so. The insurgency can end through dialogue.

Do you think the present government can fulfill the demands of the Maoists?

I don't think this government has any mandate to agree on a constituent assembly, which is one of the major demands of the Maoists. How can a government recommend the abolition of the constitution it stands on? On the negotiating table, the government can bargain on amending the constitution. We can bring many changes through such amendments, except the unalterable provisions like multiparty democracy, constitutional monarchy and human rights.

Do you think the rebels will come to the negotiating table?

If we see the history of Sri Lanka, the warring factions came to negotiating table after destroying everything and killing many innocent people. It took 22 years for that to happen in Sri Lanka. Our Maoist leaders have to come to the negotiating table to solve the country's problems. Otherwise, every Nepali will lose.

Are you are contesting the elections for the party presidentship?

I have already announced my candidature for the forthcoming elections. It is not only my decision but also of my colleagues. When the RPP is transforming itself from a party of former panchas to one of democrats, it is necessary to have a leader with a liberal vision. Former prime minister Surya Bahadur Thapa has upheld the RPP's stature as a liberal democratic party. I am announcing my candidature to continue that endeavor. If our party workers want to continue our commitment to constitutional monarchy, multiparty democracy and rule of law, I will be the appropriate candidate. I don't want divisions in the party while contesting the elections. If our party wants to have a consensus candidate, I am ready to go for that.