The persisting
uncertainty in the formation of the new government after Surya Bahadur Thapa resigned
nearly three weeks back is not contributing towards generating optimism for early solution
of the problems vexing the poor country. It seems King Gyanendra’s search for a
person with clean image is yet to bear fruit. Since it might be very difficult, if not
totally impossible, to find somebody without any blemish, it would be advisable to pick up
somebody who is comparatively cleaner, non-controversial and widely acceptable. King
Gyanendra has unmistakably exhibited his resolute mind not to give in to the sinister
pressures of the unscrupulous politicians who are agitating to grab power in the guise of
fighting regression. There is, indeed, no dearth of untried, honest and dedicated
politicians who are sure to prove much better choices. And, moreover, since the incoming
government will only work as the mechanism for holding the general elections after
bringing the Maoists to the negotiating table, it has to be widely representative
embracing all shades of opinion and all sections of the society, if the country is to have
a free and fair general elections in the stipulated time. Consequently, it is not at all
necessary for King Gyanendra to continue dialogues with the politicians who don’t
even bat their eyelids to stoop to any depth in the pursuit of their selfish ends. With a
new government in neighboring India headed by a seasoned technocrat, we can expect a
definite change in its policy towards its smaller neighbors, specially Nepal. We, on our
part, have been emphasizing all along that we need India’s unstinted cooperation to
bring the Maoists to dialogues. But, so far, we have not been able to impress upon our
good friend that it does not pay to follow a double standard. As such, we need a
government that can take up the issue with its Indian counterpart in a befitting manner.
We cannot afford to repeat the same error of mistaking men who are in the habit of
prostrating themselves. We are getting sick of seeing these old dirty faces mortgage our
country’s honor. There very unscrupulous politicians have provided King Gyanendra an
excellent opportunity of not only rectifying their mistakes but even to clean the corrupt
and anti-national politics of our country by opening possibilities for patriotic forces to
take over through a free and fair elections. King Gyanendra’s repeated commitments to
abide by the constitution and stay a constitutional monarch do have no room for any
doubts. But he cannot shirk his responsibility to defend the constitution and the
sovereignty of the state, which is being threatened by the anti-state activities of the
Maoists. If King Gyanendra’s government can restore peace and normalcy in this
beleaguered nation, it will not only sideline the corrupt and anti-national politicians
for all time, but strengthen the roots of democracy and monarchy at the same time. We do
trust King Gyanendra will give due consideration to our humble suggestion. |
