National 4 (Spotlight Weekly)

'Elections Have Been Held Amid Challenges Of Violence'

-SHER BAHADUR DEUBA

Amid pressure to clarify the government's position regarding the forthcoming polls, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba spoke to contemporary issues with Purushottam Dahal, chairman and general manager of the state-owned RSS news agency on Monday. Follows excerpts:

The elections are approaching fast, but the political parties are still not confident that they will be held. As the head of the government, can you assure them?

The government is determined to hold elections on the scheduled date by putting an end to terror and violent activities. There is no reason that the political parties should not be assured of it. The government has been working to run all aspect of the security machinery in a systemic manner with elections at the focal centre. Elections will be held in a phase-wise manner. Our security bodies are capable of identifying and resolving all the obstructions that may come during elections.

The issue of law and order is associated with violence in the name of the Maoists. Can elections be held with this violence continuing?

There are several examples where elections have been held amid the challenges of violence. We are also working to manage the security bodies and equip them to identify and resolve the problem. However, cooperation of the citizens and activeness of political party workers is also essential for holding elections on time. It is the responsibility of everyone to safeguard the present constitution and democratic system. The security body is ready to sacrifice itself for restoring peace and more essential for this is an active campaign of the political parties and political workers who have struggled for democracy. It is essential for the Maoists to understand that the forthcoming elections could be an opportunity for a "safe landing" for a political resolution for them.

The Royal Nepalese Army and all other security bodies mobilized since late November to stop the violence are active but the killings are continuing. Why?

Apart from some exceptions, the security machinery has achieved big success. On the other side, our neighboring government of India has banned organizations and persons based on its territory unleashing terror in Nepal and has been extradited such persons. In this connection, the government of India has been giving proper attention to Nepal's request. All developed and donor countries including China, USA, United Kingdom, Germany, European Union and Japan have also been assisting Nepal against terrorism. In the past one year, the Maoists have been isolated both in domestic and international forum. Therefore, the pace of violence is not the same. It is gradually decreasing.

The political parties and the Maoists have been calling for dialogue to put an end to violence. Is the government ready for this?

I am one of the persons who supported dialogue from the beginning. I initiated the talks in the face of protest and non-cooperation from within the party. The entire nation was optimistic, but what happened then? No democratic head of government can be against talks and dialogue. It is unfair for those who understand this situation to describe me as being against dialogue. The only thing is that any process held in this direction should be trustworthy, peaceful, sustainable, permanent and universally recognized. But for a permanent resolution of the problem, the Maoists have to present the Nepali people proof that they are serious and honest.

The Maoists have also been proposing an "all-party roundtable conference" in order to stop the violence and resolve political problems. Is the government ready to hold such a conference at its own initiative?

As I said earlier, they have to present reliable proof.You have registered a separate party. What was the reason to separate from the Nepali congress led by Girija Prasad Koirala? Wasn't unity possible following the decision of the Election Commission? Koirala himself had appealed for unity. All friends have clarified many times our differences with Girija Prasad Koirala. With these differences still existing, the Election Commission's decision or Koirala's statement for unity does not have any significance. As a result, we decided to register a separate party - the Nepali Congress (Democratic).

What will be the electoral issue of your party then?

Our issues are clear. "Peace against violence," "stability and development against anarchy and disorder," "equality against inequality and racial discrimination," nationalism for unity and integrity, efficient and corruption free society and administrative machinery."

Will you forge an alliance with other parties in the elections?

There is no question that our party will not join hands with those willing to wipe out poverty, illiteracy and backwardness rampant in the country. We will go together with those wishing to bring the dalits, nationalities and women with empowerment into the national mainstream. It is but natural to work together with those willing to join the 'mahayagya for national development by restoring peace. Therefore, associating every Nepali, organizations, groups and parties willing to strengthen democracy, transform the socio-economic state of the country has been one of the main agenda of discussions of our central committee.

Some parties have been proposing that Article 127 of the constitution be invoked instead of holding the elections on November 13. What is the view of the government on this?

I don't understand why they are looking for such an alternative. It is not necessary to think of this alternative if elections begin on the scheduled date and carried out in phases. The government is determined to hold elections on November 13.

Your party and election symbol will be new. How will you begin the election campaign? What result do you expect?

Even with a new symbol, all our colleagues are old faces who have participated in the 30-year democratic movement. Majority of the colleagues who fought for democracy since the Rana regime to the Panchayat are with us. They are well known in villages, districts and throughout the nation. The party's name is also Nepali Congress. "Democratic" has been added in order to differentiate the party with the one led by Girija Prasad Koirala. Election symbol is just a symbol. Elections are fought on the basis of principles, ideology, values and norms and programmes. We are all self-confident and expect results accordingly.