National 2 (Spotlight Weekly)

Go To the People

If dissatisfied with EC's decision, NC factions should go to the people for final verdict

By A CORRESPONDENT

Koirala : Buoyant

As expected, the much awaited decision of the Election Commission on Tuesday failed to satisfying rival factions of the ruling Nepali Congress. Ending weeks-long uncertainties, the Election Commission (EC) - in its interim decision on Tuesday -- formally recognized the Nepali Congress led by former premier Girija Prasad Koirala as the official one but also gave one week's time to Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba in case he wanted to float a splinter party. The Deuba-led faction could file application at the EC to be registered as a new Nepali Congress party and seek an election symbol acceptable to the Commission.

In a press statement, the Election Commission said the interim decision had to be made in view of the coming general elections and that the Commission was still not fully satisfied with the arguments presented by both the factions of the ruling party. Interestingly, the EC maintained that the delegates who attended the New Baneswore `general convention' at the call of premier Deuba in June this year were almost same in number to those who did not attend it. As anticipated, both the factions of the Nepali Congress have criticized the EC's decision.

Bimalendra Nidhi, a member of the Deuba Congress, termed the EC decision as "premeditated and political in nature." Spokesman of the Koirala-led NC, Arjun Narsingh KC, welcomed the decision but expressed his dissatisfaction over the EC's statement regarding the presence of NC delegates in the New Baneswore 'convention.' "We have been raising questions about the legitimacy of the process (adopted by Deuba) rather than the numbers," he said.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba described the EC's decision as "unexpected" but appealed all NC workers, well-wishers, democrats and the general public to face the situation with patience and enthusiasm and become actively involved in the forthcoming mid-term elections.

While there is much room to find faults in the time taken by the EC (15 weeks) to announce its decision and the wording of its verdict, analysts say both the factions should give to people if they have any grievances. "People are the ultimate judge to decide upon the merit of the issues floated by any political entity," said a noted political analyst. "If the political parties are committed to go to the people, the Maoists too would be forced to scale down their violence and constitutional process could be saved from any untoward accident."

But will the political leaders and their Kathmandu-based cronies listen?

ELECTIONS CONTROVERSY
Conspiracy Theory

The police chief is dragged into unwarranted controversy

By A CORRESPONDENT

Chief of Nepal Police, Pradip Shumsher J. B. Rana, in its written reply submitted to the Home Ministry on Monday clarified that he had never suggested anything so as to postpone the elections slated on November 13 this year. He also refuted media reports that suggested that Rana proposed postponing of the mid-term polls-as a voter and citizen-- by at least four months "due to the deteriorating law and order situation in the country."

As expected, political leaders cried foul on Rana's alleged remarks in an all-party meet called by the Election Commission last week and even saw it as part of a conspiracy to postpone polls and put the country into a constitutional crisis. "It was a dangerous sign," said leader of the Jana Morcha Nepal, a left outfit, Amik Sherchan.

In fact, junior Home Minister Devendra Raj Kadel had proposed in the meeting to hold elections in as many as eight phases at an interval of up to 20 days each. It would mean that the poll process could end only in February next year. Analysts, however, say the government could make provision for adequate security by holding polls in two phases rather than spreading it. It is because unlike security personnel the rebels would not find time to stretch themselves if the elections were held in two phases.

Instead of focusing on issues like why the Maoists want to disrupt elections in Nepal while elections have finally taking place in Jammu and Kashmir, Nepalese politicians seem to enjoy crying foul even at the risk of degrading the morale of security forces.