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OFF THE RECORD |
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OFF THE RECORD |
Nepal Backs Off
The CPN-UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal
finally declared that he would not accept any proposal without the consent of five
agitating parties. Following a weeklong controversy between Nepali Congress and CPN-UML,
leaders of both the parties issued a public statement expressing that they do not bother
about the post of prime minister but are serious in identifying the process for the
settlement of the current crisis. Whether one likes it or not, Nepal’s announcement
came after four other agitating parties pressured CPN-UML leader to clarify his stand on
the issue of prime ministership. Nepal declared that he would like to see the revival of
democratic process rather than be appointed as the prime minister.
Thapa’s Tactics Uncertain about his own political fate, the
Prime minister Surya Bahadur Thapa has finally started to ask some of his close colleagues
what he should do next. Being a caretaker prime minister Thapa cannot take any major
decision. However, remaining idle for a long time is not a nature of Thapa. So he finally
seems to have found a way to activate his role. Although he ordered his minister not to
visit office and told them to take necessary decisions on petty matters from their homes,
he, however, took a decision promoting first class officers. Interestingly, prime minister
Thapa used the previous date for the new letter that informed the officers of their
promotion. In Compromise Mood Although they engaged in fierce debates
till prime minister Surya Bahadur Thapa resigned, the leaders of ruling RPP now seem to be
heading towards some sort of compromise among them. Until a few weeks ago, the warring
factions usually boycotted the meeting of each other but they seem to be working to patch
up the differences. Last week when RPP president Pashupati Sumsher Rana was inaugurating a
student meeting, Bhuwan Pathak, a central committee member of opposite faction, shared a
dais with him. It seems that RPP leaders are bent on repeating their past history –
of division whenever in power and unity whenever they are thrown out of power. RPP had
divided twice in the past as soon as the party decided to join the government. This time,
although, it did not formally split, the leaders harbored extreme differences.
Deuba’s Way Nepali Congress (Democratic) leader and
former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba is nowadays adopting a different strategy to woo
the common people. Unlike five parties, Deuba’s agitation remains peaceful and sober.
His new strategy seems to be working now. Recently, former Prime Minister Deuba declared
that the day of his reinstatement is not far away but there are only a few who really
agree with him. Whether Deuba is reinstated or not, he did give good and popular slogans
to woo the people. Ritual Of Agitation The demonstrations by political parties
seem to have turned into a ritual like so many other ritual practices in Nepal. Everybody
now are familiar with the modus operandi of the agitating parties. First, the parties
bring the masses at the main street of Ratnapark. Secondly, they harp republican slogans
stopping the movement of vehicles in the city. Finally, they conclude the agitation with
more than hour-long speeches from leaders of five agitating parties. For the smaller
parties like Nepal Sadbhavana Party (Anandidevi) and Nepal Majdoor Kisan Party, the
gathering provides them with an opportunity to enlarge their base. |
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