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This week the country is celebrating thirtieth national reconciliation day remembering B.P. Koirala, greatest figure in Nepalese politics. On December 30, 1976, B.P. Koirala returned to Nepal from seven years long exile in India calling for national reconciliation. In his statement, Koirala stressed the need for national unity between country’s two major forces: traditional force of monarchy and modern force of political parties, to protect Nepal ’s national sovereignty and independent identity. What he then perceived as threat from regional rivalry in South Asia to Nepal ’s existence is very much relevant even now. Thus, the importance of national reconciliation is today as much, if not more, relevant than ever before. Whenever serious crisis the country faces, silent majority remembers the name of B.P. Koirala and his ideals of national reconciliation. As more days pass, many familiar names in Nepalese politics are fading out of memory of common people; but the name of B.P. Koirala – who always firmly stood for the unity between the patriotic democrats and patriotic monarchists - still instills certain noble ideals and commitments. The country is once again facing a serious crisis but it does not have a leader like B.P. Koirala who could take a courageous decision and turn the political course. From the point of view of geo-strategic location to the cultural and ethnic diversity, Nepal ’s political forces have to recognize each other’s existence and the nation demands unity among them to survive as an independent and sovereign entity among the comity of nations. Despite growing bitterness between the monarch and the liberal democratic forces, the two institutions are now under the leadership of brothers of two greatest personalities - late King Birendra, who sacrificed even his life for his adherence to liberal democracy and national independence - and B.P. Koirala, who stood strongly in his conviction that reconciliation between the monarchy and liberal democracy is necessary for national independence. Since King Gyanendra, despite the pressure he must be feeling within his camp, continues retreating for reconciliation; and Nepali Congress leader Girija Prasad Koirala, despite his alliance with extremist communists-dominated front, too continues expressing his inner feeling for reconciliation, there are hopeful signs for returning to the phase of reconciliation. The question of personal likes or dislikes is insignificant before broader political context given the existing realities of the nation. Pursuing the policy of reconciliation will restore harmonious relations between the monarchy and the liberal democrat – which are not antagonistic forces to each other. For this, the country needs functional parliamentary democratic process. Had B.P. Koirala not returned to Nepal calling for national reconciliation, the country would not have seen the restoration of democracy in such a short period of time with sovereign functional parliament patronized by the institution of monarchy. Whatever some politicians say, past experiences have shown that Nepal ’s destiny can be secured only through the cordial relations between the institution of monarchy and democratic forces. More there is conflict, greater there will be devastations in the country. Thus, this is the occasion to remember and renew once again the support to the spirit of national reconciliation. The appeal issued by B.P. Koirala upon his arrival, is more relevant this time than any time before. Therefore, we have taken the liberty of re-publishing the full text of his statement in this issue as well.
Growing conflict is not only a matter of worry to the silent majority of Nepal but also Nepal ’s traditional western friends. As the gap is widening between the monarch and the leaders of organized political parties, the representatives of Nepal ’s traditional western friends including the United Kingdom and the United States have been stressing for reconciliation between the monarch and the political parties through the activation of the parliament. They are Nepal ’s proven trustworthy allies whose representatives in Nepal always assist the monarchy and the political parties to come closer with a view to activate the parliamentary politics. However, some narrow-minded persons in the ruling side have apprehensions that the reconciliation between the King and the leaders of political parties would boost the arrogance of some harsh-speaking leaders. On the contrary, such political leaders go unrestricted in absence of the parliament. Once the parliament begins to function, it is the people who would control the politics of the country, not the leaders. The power of the people comes into play by the elections and through the parliament. Three subsequent experiences of the past parliaments are there to prove it. Therefore, the reconciliation between the King and the political parties is mooted with an expectation that the elections will be held and parliament begins its functions. And members of the parliament will have to look downwards to the people with hopes of being reelected. The real reconciliation through the parliament between the monarch and the political parties will deny extraneous elements to fulfill their own narrow interests. It is difficult but not impossible to see reconciliation materializing between the monarch and the liberal democratic forces.
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