May 20, 2005

Political solution must be based on win-win situation for all

By KESHAB POUDEL

If the statements and arguments put forth by Information Minister Tanka Dhakal is not the point of view of the main actor on the ruling side, the long list of demands made by the seven political parties is also flexible.

“This is the people’s government constituted by the King in accordance with the wishes of the people,” said Dhakal, spokesperson of the government headed by King Gyanendra. “Political parties are responsible for the present state of the country.”

The CPN-UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal, too, has his own version regarding the present political stalemate. ‘The time has come to evaluate the role of the monarchy as we have been several times betrayed by the King,” said Nepal. "Our agitation must be decisive and it will continue till absolute democracy is restored.”

Dhakal’s and Nepal’s statements represent two extreme ends of the present political process but both these opinions are not the final and absolute ones.

In the process of confrontation, it is not surprising to witness maximum demands and claims but their needs and expectations should be minimum. The front of seven political parties led by Nepali Congress leader and former prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala has maximum demands and claims - which is up to the holding elections for Constituent Assembly - but their needs and expectations is actually minimum - to form a legitimate government representing all political forces of previous parliament.

Since there are seven political parties of heterogeneous ideologies and programs, all of them have their own demands and claims. The seven parties alliance includes liberal and secular democratic party like Nepali Congress as well as communists of absolutism and a regional-based party. It is a hush-hush combination of all demands.

They can hardly get into A to Z of agreement as some parties’ emphasis lay on Constituent Assembly while that of others lay on the revival of the House of Representatives. Their common agenda includes all of their combined demands in detail but the basic thrust of their resolution is not so difficult and objectionable. This fact was instantly grasped more correctly by the visiting US Assistant Secretary of State Christina Rocca than any other.

“Their recent announcement of a united front is an encouraging first step in this process. But the need of the hour is reconciliation: to develop and follow a joint roadmap to deal with the Maoists and work for a peaceful, prosperous Nepal. The United States and other friends of Nepal have long believed it is essential for Nepal’s legitimate political leaders to resolve the longstanding political impasse that has prevented a united effort to confront the two dangers facing Nepal- the Maoist insurgency and underdevelopment. The key to accomplishing this is for the legitimate political parties and the King to unite in a multiparty democratic framework in order to confront the Maoists and address the country’s serious developmental problems,” said Rocca.

One may be surprised to know how can Rocca support the King and his loyal army and at the same time appreciate the unity of all these political forces. In political course, the main thrust of unity is what is important not the details. One of the most important things of the demand is to produce popularly legitimate leadership in the power and to create a trust worthy environment for the elections.

Keeping in mind these two expectations and needs of major political forces of previous parliament, it is not impossible to avert the future confrontation. If they follow the reality, all forces within the constitution including the King and the political parties will gain and none of them will lose.

There must be realization that every government is the King’s government. As a person the King may have likes and dislikes but the institution of monarchy does not have any favorite and every body in the government is the King’s person - such is the character of the constitutional monarchy. As some ministers are trying to project only themselves as the King’s favorite, political leaders like Nepal are also trying to show that this is going to be a final confrontation.

One of the greatest problems with these parties is that they are conducting agitation, which will possibly further alienate them from the people. Common people in the street oppose methods of agitation including burning tires in the streets, closure of shops and traffic jams and pitched-battle with police.

A popular issue can be made unpopular by the way of agitations. The moral and persuasive contents of demands and resolutions would get lost in the smoke and ashes of burnt tires.

A democratic demand does not become popular by adopting anarchic and unruly methods. The programs of agitations should be much clear, restrained and persuasive in accordance with the moral and ethical contents of political resolutions.

“Nation belongs to all and all are the legitimate beneficiary of the political process. No force can wipe out or expel others into exile. All have to live together and bear consequences of the actions of one another. The most elementary lesson of morality 'to live and let live' seems to have been ignored during this conflicting posture,” said a political analyst.