Editorial (Spotlight Weekly)

By refusing to participate in the all parties conference convened by Prime minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand to explore ways and means to devise a common approach for the dialogue with the Maoists for a permanent peace in the country, the parties represented in the dissolved House of Representatives have exposed their true character. Their obduracy not to cooperate with the government appointed by King Gyanendra has manifested, without a ray a doubt, that peace is not their prime concern. At a time when the Maoists have also realized that violence is not the appropriate medium to achieve their political objective and agreed to start a meaningful negotiation with the government, and in that process are abiding by the cease-fire agreement, the refusal by the discredited political parties to take part in the all parties meet must open the eyes not only of all Nepalese people but all the world as to their real intentions. Their behavior in the last twelve years after the restoration of democracy in 1990, when these political parties ruled the country, must leave nobody in doubt that these very people are mainly responsible for bringing the poor country to the present situation. That they have sucked the country dry by their blatant corruption pushing one of the poorest people in the world to gravelling miseries and should have been meted out suitable punishments for their misdeeds is there as clear as crystal for any just and honest man to see. The common poor people of Nepal are not only totally disillusioned with these leaders but are hankering for their blood. Except that of an insignificant number of parasitic cronies, these corrupt political leaders do not command the respect and following of the overwhelming millions. Why are they being made so indispensable by the power that be, completely belies our imagination. As long these most unscrupulous and anti-national politicians are permitted to befoul the atmosphere and muddle the political waters of the country, political stability in the nation would always remain a chimera. Consequently, if peace and normalcy is to be restored in the troubled country, the top priority before the government is to isolate these people from the healthier political mainstream by awarding them, without undue delay, long awaited punishments for their unpardonable crimes.

The commitment shown by the Maoists to scrupulously abide by the cease-fire has generated high expectations in the Nepalese people that their days of trials and tribulations are over. Now, the need of the hour for the Maoists is to sit in for negotiations and reach understanding with the government so that the country may have a fully representative government at the earliest. The seven long years of struggle and violence which have caused irreparable loss of precious human lives and the invaluable infrastructures of our poor country must have brought the truth home to the Maoists that guns are not the right tools for accomplishing their goals. They also must have realized that piggy backing makes us incompetent, dependent and victims of exploitations. That they have recognized the urgency of solving our domestic problems not by recriminations but by sensible dialogue is a very good augury for the nation's future. Their more than twelve years long experiment with the workings of the so called democratic political parties must have provided them with the wisdom to see through their evil designs. They must have also understood that monarchy in Nepal is still an indispensable force, more popular and acceptable than the corrupt political parties and occupies a very important place in the life of an average Nepali. If its constitutional role in multiparty democratic regime is safeguarded, it can prove to be the strongest bulwark for our country. Consequently, at this juncture the Maoists have to actively cooperate with King Gyanendra to restore lasting peace and normalcy in the country so that he may direct his government to make speedy preparation for early general elections.

As for King Gyanendra, he, indeed, faces real challenges. The total failure of the elected governments to rule the country effectively has devolved on him the onerous responsibility of steering the derailed country to the right track. Since the Maoists have become aware of their folly and are keen to come to terms, even though the Chand government is readying to enter into a dialogue with the Maoists, it cannot be denied that, in the prevailing circumstances, the Palace would be playing the dominant role. Consequently, the King's invisible advisers have assumed greater importance. It is only in difficult times a man's capability is tested. Destiny has assigned King Gyanendra the challenging task of not only meeting the expectations of his people but safeguarding the very sovereignty of the nation. Since he himself has realized that he is preordained to rule, he cannot shirk the responsibility. Neither can he afford to fritter away the God sent opportunity of carving an imposing and immortal place in the annals of the nation. As such, he must be alert to avoid the pitfalls that sycophantic advisers would create for him. And, of course, the top priority for him is to generate the amicable atmosphere so that general elections in the country are held at the earliest possible time. Since he has unambiguously committed himself to constitutional monarchy in a multi-party democracy, he can expect all kinds of cooperation from his peoples and friends. And he will get it without any reservation. The one thing he must be vigilant about is the sinister machinations of the corrupt politicians who will do their utmost to foil the peace process with the Maoists.