Nepali democracy: Is it a Rat or an Elephant?

Nepal's democratic order has become like Varanashi's sweet, read the PEDA, which as the saying goes if one ate has to repent and even if he doesn't he has also to repent.

After eating the said sweet, the person does not find any thing very special than any other common sweets found in Nepal and hence he repents for his folly for having exhibited a sort of special charm and temptation for that sweet.

On the other hand, the person who could not enjoy the sweet thinks about the inner charm and the deliciousness contained therein in the sweet and hence longs for that said sweet. He then waits for an opportune and appropriate moment to enjoy the much publicized taste of the sweet from Varanashi.

During the Panchayat order, I remember some stalwarts belonging to the congress and the communist camps assured the people that the day the then system collapsed, a new foundation will be established which will take utmost care of the underprivileged and the oppressed ones. I do remember that those who had been championing the cause for the advent of a new order in the country had no money for a cup of tea and some say that one minister today in Deuba's cabinet has yet to pay five rupees to his friend in Biratnagar which he borrowed from him to stitch his rubber slipper.

I do not know whether the present system brought about a dramatic change in the life styles of the common men of the country, however, what I do surely know that the corrupt practices acquired by some congress and communist leaders' over these so-called twelve "democratic years" made the country fertile for the "birth" of the Maoists insurgency. In the process, the congress men and the communists who enjoyed power during all along these years have managed colossal amount for themselves which will last for generations and generations to come. Albeit, if the currency is changed then it would be somewhat different. However, the dollars deposited in foreign banks will remain in tact indeed.

I some times wonder as to why these Maoists leaders do not take this matter seriously. Is it that they do not know who in the congress or for that matter in the communist camp have amassed astronomical amount of wealth abusing their authorities when in power? Is it that they do not know that it were these ministers from these two political camps whose corrupt practices ate up the shares of those for whom the foreign donors poured in money. In essence, the money had been sent for those poor lots who have only recently joined their ranks, read the insurgency. The insurgency's stoic silence regarding these facts are really surprising. However, we wish not to pump the men in the insurgency to go in on for violent methods in extracting the gulped amounts from the corrupt leaders. However, what at best they can do is to politely tell those corrupt leaders to submit their illegally acquired money in the state exchequer or else face some mild penal actions.

Without writing much in this regard, I wish to narrate a mini joke to my readers which is perhaps meaningful.

A simple man from the mountains some years ago came down to the Terai plains. At the bus stand, he suddenly comes across with a surprising creature with four legs and a different sort of nostril.

He then calculates about this creature in his mind.

He then says: Either this creature is the "improved" version of a RAT or could be the "reduced" size of an ELEPHANT.

The creature was in effect a PIG.

Such is our democracy. Very difficult to understand indeed. Those who have benefited from this system claim it to be the best among the worst. Those who have been denied this benefit perhaps cry foul against it. Some who have been totally neglected perhaps have joined the Maoist band. Guess works only.

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