Defying all prognoses,
speculations or expectations King Gyanendra appointed Sher Bahadur Deuba as Nepal's Prime
Minister, the third in less than two years. Although there was practically no deviation
whatsoever in all the three appointments, all interested parties have interpreted it the
way that suited their convenience. Many have even branded it as the triumph for the palace
coterie working for Deuba than his own. Since it will hardly make any substantial
difference in the style of administration, we have taken it as a corollary of current
Nepali politics. Even though the honor has been thrust upon him and his dream of grabbing
the chair of authority has once again come true, whether Deuba will be able to justify his
appointment by rising up to the occasion is yet to be seen. Since the possibilities of his
assembling a broad based representative and acceptable government that might be able to
steer the country through the perils and hazards it is facing seem to be very remote, King
Gyanendra's gamble might not pay off. That it has taken more than ten days for him even to
add two members from his own party to his one man cabinet and he has not held even one
cabinet meeting so far in more than two weeks would clearly indicate that Deuba must be
having sleepless nights despite all the potions that invite sound slumber. What is
restraining Nepali politicians to join Deuba's government is belying our comprehension. We
can visualize, if not fully, to some extent, the hesitation on the part of the communist
Party of Nepal (United Marxists Leninists) to make a quick decision to participate in the
Deuba government. Unlike Girija Koirala's the chief of the Nepali Congress, Madhav K.
Nepal, the Captain of CPN (UML) has comparatively cleaner image and could have passed the
test set by King Gyanendra to qualify for the post of Nepal's Prime Minister. Last moment
betrayal by partner in agitation, Girija Prasad Koirala and other hidden considerations
robbed him of the honor of leading the nation. In the uncertain situation prevailing in
the country whether he should be sore or take it as a blessing in disguise is for him to
decide. But his party being in wilderness for almost a decade needs to be in power. And,
it is being reported, that they are seriously considering of adding some legitimacy and
longevity to Deuba's skeleton cabinet. But their hesitation, it seems, might be stemming
from their apprehensions that they may not succeed to restore peace and normalcy in the
country, the first and foremost requirement that only will open the door for other
activities. Our country, at the moment, imperatively needs a man of very tall stature to
stand up to the forces that are playing havoc with our poor country. Since we cannot claim
to have many of them, even he will have to think twice, thrice or many more times to rush
in a situation where even angels will fear to tread. Unless impelled by personal or
partisan gains, it is, indeed, a very difficult decision to make for any political party
of integrity. Since these are extraordinary times, they demand extra-ordinary measures and
extra-ordinary measures originate only in extra-ordinary minds. Consequently, King
Gyanendra, who has to bear the brunt in the present circumstances, has to find such
persons. At a time when constitution, democracy, morality, integrity and simple
patriotism, too, are devailed, the first priority is to bring them back to track. And
since end always justifies the means, we must not shirk to take any action that takes us
to our pious goal. |
