National 2 (Spotlight Weekly)

Compromise and Cooperation

With the announcement of the general elections, King Gyanendra calls for compromise and cooperation among political forces

By KESHAB POUDEL

Political Leaders : What wil be their response?

Following the announcement by King Gyanendra to hand over power after holding free and fair elections in 2061, the political parties - who are preparing for the final showdown in capital against the King’s regression step – are in a dilemma on how to respond to the King.

When King Gyanendra has urged for cooperation and compromise, it will be very unwise on the part of political parties to continue taking non-cooperative attitude. Once the elections date is announced, major political parties will definitely have to contest the elections.

Despite their verbal comments against general elections, country’s major political parties have limited options other than to accept the challenge and work with King to create proper atmosphere for the forthcoming elections.

As King Gyanendra – whose recent activities are unjustifiable on constitutional terms – pushes the message of compromise and cooperation, it is time for mainstream political parties to reciprocate. Although there are many rhetorical things in the written message, one has to follow the spirit and content of the message. “The language of (King’s) message sounds flexible but there is a clear determination regarding holding the elections by 2061,”said a political analyst. “There is possibility for compromises and cooperation among political forces.”

Mainstream political parties – which are waging the struggle against regression – have expressed that they will continue their agitation till the constitutional process returns to right track urging Nepalis to join their mass rally on April 2.

“King’s address is filled with rhetoric just like in his speeches from Biratnagar to Dhangadhi and Nepalgunj. We have not seen any concrete commitment in his message to restore the democratic process,” said CPN-UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal. “The promise for holding the elections is also too vague so there is no question to postpone our final agitation.”

Peaceful demonstrations and agitations are also a part of the political process. Peaceful mass rallies and agitation can also be used as a means of mobilizing people for the elections.

The announcement of election is not only a generosity from King, but is also a result of political pressure put up by the political parties. Since King Gyanendra has spoken in flexible language to end the political impasse, agitating political parties, too, will have to speak in similar tones. Political process requires compromise and cooperation among country’s major political forces and this opportunity needs to be exploited.

King Gyanendra’s written message, among others, is also the realization of the important role of political parties in the multi party democracy. Instead of going against them, monarch seems to be willing to go along with them.

In his message King Gyanendra has spelled out three important points. He announced time frame for the elections of House of Representatives, expressed the willingness to hand over power to elected representatives and sought cooperation from political parties to ensure free and fair elections.

King’s recent call is understandable as he also knows that elections without the participation of the major political parties including Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and others will be meaningless since they are the ones that can regroup the people and have capacity to mobilize them.

“If political parties do not cooperate and support the King, the chances of returning the democratic process will receive a serious set back,” said an analyst.

Agitating political parties cannot have strong point to reject the elections on the ground that the government is not under their leadership. Whether Surya Bahadur Thapa, Madhav Kumar Nepal or anybody else leads the government, the status of government formed under article 127 remains similar. Agitating political parties cannot claim that only the government formed under their leadership can ensure free and fair elections.