The twenty two points accord reached by the
government and the Maoist leaders as their protocol (code of conduct) for peace talks is a
good augury for establishing lasting peace in the country. That wisdown is slowly dawning
amongst the Maoist leadership is becoming clear when they say they want to deal with the
government in power. That the Maoists have decided to disregard the appeals of the leaders
of the two bigger parties not to negotiate with the Chand government is not only a big
slap on their faces but the correct and appropriate stance taken by the Maoist leaders.
The long twelve years of multiparty misrule by the two major political parties has
discredited them and even disillusioned the poor masses about the efficacy of the
multiparty democratic system in Nepal. By dissociating themselves with the corrupt and
antinational behavior of the Nepali Congress and the UML the Maoists have given a clear
message to the unscrupulous politicians that their days of corrupt politicking in Nepal
were over. Indeed, they were much misguided in embroiling their poor country in a bloody
civil war that cost more than ten thousand innocent lives and destroyed the
invaluable infrastructures pushing the country backwards by decades. With the realization
of their folly, they have also become wiser that Nepal can only move ahead under the
leadership of dynamic and patriotic people. All the political parties even with decades
long history of self-oriented leaders who do not hesitate to sacrifice all morality,
integrity and nationalism and prostrate themselves before alien forces to nurse their
partisan and personal interests have to be side lined if the poor millions were to be
given a better life in a comparatively short time. As such, the Maoist leaders must take
ample care not to soil their image by their impetuosity to grab the driver's seat in the
government. Despite their claims they have yet to establish their bona fide as potential
leaders of the nation, which they can do only through free and fair general elections.
Consequently they have to be very wary about their private and public pronouncements. They
must not say and do things that might generate any kind of misgivings about their
goals and objectives not only in the minds of their own countrymen but also that of the
world at large. Since no nation can survive in total isolation in these days even Nepal as
one of the poorest nations, has to seek regional and global cooperation for her speedy
economic development. And this can be possible only if we can become acceptable member of
the comity of nations. Since the Maoists have emerged as a viable political force, they
have to go along with the two other equally important forces — the people and the
monarchy. This may make people raise their eyebrows why the so-called bigger political
parties have not been taken into account. Simply because they have forfeited their right
of representing the people by their callous, corrupt and antinational behavior. And they
can restore their credibility only through a free and fair elections. And they know fully
well that with a government conducting the elections without their representation will not
be conducive towards their electoral success. Hence their obsession for an all party
government. And if the King, the people and the Maoists again are coerced into taking them
in the government, there can be little doubt the country will head towards doom. If we
refuse to learn from our past mistakes, even God will not be able to save us from
destruction. And that entails great responsibility on the role the Palace has to play till
elections are held. And it is exactly why we have been emphasizing on the dynamism,
sagacity and dedication of the royal advisers. Since King Gyanendra is wise and
experienced, we do trust he will be able to avoid the pitfalls sycophants always create.
Because nobody has a greater stake in the continuity of the institution of monarchy than
him. As far the people are concerned, they must unite and work to create a situation for
the elections to be held at the earliest possible time when they can put the last nail on
the coffin of the discredited politicians. We would also like to warn all the three forces
to be vigilant of the self-styled facilitators and human rights activists, who are itching
for a share of the plum pudding.
King Gyanendra would be embarking on his
ten day visit to India when this print comes out. Even though it is said to be a private
visit to certain holy places in India, the visit of the Nepalese Head of State of India
cannot fail generating certain ripples. Unlike the visits of the Nepalese democratic heads
of government, this visit of the Nepalese King has King has to be free of all
controversies. But King Gyanendra must avail of this opportunity to impress upon the
friendly Indians to practise more restraint not to hurt Nepalese sensitivity by their
irresponsible and utterly baseless rhetorics. Like the illustrious son of his
illustrious father, King Gyanendra has to bring the disbalanced Nepal-India relation to
its proper keel. And this visit could serve as an excellent opportunity of reminding our
friend in the South, although smaller and weaker Nepal still is a good friend and deserves
a more equal and dignified treatment. |
