Game Of Romanticism
As political confrontation picks up, middle class elites in both the sides have reason to rejoice the game of romanticism
By KESHAB POUDEL
While poor are getting poorer in rural areas following the disruption of development activities followed by violence and political confrontation, middle class elites and activists on both sides of political divide in the urban areas are enjoying the luxury of confrontation.
For them, the present political crisis and growing confrontation appears as a game of romanticism. Because of suspension of foreign assistance and disruption of political process, poor in the rural parts of the country has to face all kinds of burden and difficulties. Interestingly, some elites including media persons, members of civil society in the opposition side and ministers and some intellectuals in the ruling sides are on the world tour and some are enjoying VVIP treatment in cities of neighboring countries. Now it has become heydays for many.
On ruling side, too, some old politicians and intellectuals are getting everything to enjoy. At the age of virtual retirement and long political isolation, the politicians like vice chairman Dr.Tulsi Giri is enjoying everything from a new bungalow to new car and other social prestige. Although the poor are suffering due to the suspension of aid by some donor countries in many areas, Dr. Giri has hardly made any effort to convince them about the situation.
Whoever comes to meet Dr. Giri, his only priority is politics. “I am not here to talk about development related issues but to defend the political matters,” is what Dr. Giri reportedly told his staffs. When agitating political leaders have shown some flexibility in negotiations, Dr. Giri delivered the statement that only enraged the other side.
Vice chairman Dr. Giri, Information and Communication Minister Tanka Dhakal and other ministers are enjoying the game of romanticism of confrontation from the ruling side.
Similarly, there are dozens of middle class intellectuals and members of civil society – on the opposition side – who also see the political confrontation as a game of romanticism. From demanding the total stop of development assistance till the restoration of democracy to making provocative remarks through media, the intellectuals in the opposition side are inciting the ruling side.
“This kind of exaggerated propaganda has definitely affected the decision making desks of democratic donors. Some of the donors have already pulled out from the development programs hurting the poorer section of the country,” said a political analyst.
For the poor, political confrontation is a curse as it will invite all kinds of problems to them. From closing schools to road, disruption of life and suspension of foreign assistance, all these activities directly affect their life. But these sufferings make no difference to the intellectuals and elites of either the ruling side or opposition side.
Ruling elites will loose all their luxury as soon as the settlement is reached between the country’s major political forces. “Even Christ cannot revive the dissolved House of Representatives,” said Dr. Giri was reported to have told a British journalist recently hardening the stand when political parties are in flexible mood.
Similarly, the voices of intellectuals lobbying for the opposition politicians, too, are rigid. At a program, a noted Nepalese journalist said that this time political leadership is being pushed behind by civil society and media persons.
“Let politicians be aware of the middle class adventurism ideas and their class. The leadership is taken by elites and journalists while politicians – who are accountable to the people - are being pushed from behind. Since majority of this group of intellectuals do not have to send their children in the schools inside the country and they don’t have to face elections like politician, these urban middle class elites have no idea of the trauma of the poor. These intellectuals – who are unaccountable to people - are creating sensational political phrases and slogans. This kind of situation has already pushed the country to the brink of major confrontation,” said the analyst.
Whether in this side or that, these groups of people see the political confrontation as a game of romanticism.
