The ultimate solution to the Maoists insurgency is peaceful dialogue

Dr. Prem Sharma, CEDA, T.U

Born (2009 BS) in Bhogsing VDC, Parvat district, Dr. Prem Sharma is a senior research officer cum lecturer working in Center for Economic Development and Administration (CEDA), T.U., Kirtipur. He did his SLC from MM School Bhogsing and IA as a private student of T.U. He received Bachelor's Degree
from Tri-Chandra College in 1979. He has also done his diploma in 'Co-operative in Rural Development' from Israel in 1991. He got his Master's Degree from University Campus in 1982. He has got teaching experience of over fifteen years both in schools and colleges and sixteen years research experience. He is also a core group convenor of Rural Development, CEDA. He had also handled the position of general secretary and vice president of the POLSAN. He has also remained secretary of NUTA, CEDA Unit from time to time. He is also an executive member of NOSC. Currently he also teaches research methodology in Cetral Dept. of Rural Development. Dr. Sharma has to his credit countless individual publications which have given him name and fame both.

 He had also worked in and handled different research and field works in different positions and capacities. Dr. Sharma has also presented several of his research works at national and international level seminars. And finally, as Dr. Sharma claims, have had to face many hardships but yet he succeeded in making his dreams to come to true.

He openly admits that he was a bonded cowboy, seventeenth child of his father who had never had new clothes on his body up to tenth grade in the school. His open declaration has got to be appreciated. We salute you Dr. Sharma for your stupendous achievements against the background of your bitter past. Indeed you are the asset of the nation.

Last week we approached this modest scholar for a tete-a-tete to which he agreed. Below the results: Chief editor.
TGQ1: The country is in a deep crisis undoubtedly. Whom you hold responsible for all these crises?

Also tell us how you assess the overall present situation in the country? Tour exclusive comments please!

Dr. Sharma: To the Congress establishment, one can turn the pages of its inception history and its evolution exclusively in the period of power privilege. Very partially the rest political parties can be attributed its small credit that let the Congress party to illusion the Nepali voters who have never given any opportunity to form a majority government. The Nepali political cultures hardly digest the western well-figured up multiparty model in our traditional socio-economic condition. We have a distinct gap between the ruled and the ruler. It is like a hare and a jackal. But unfortunately both the ruled and the ruler like to play a short game (urinal warm) which is a disaster in turn. Since my campus life, I have been observing very closely the general elections (particularly the last election of Panchayat and to date). On the basis of these 20 years observation, I have made two predictions, one in the last election of Panchayat- it was that "the next election would not happen by this way"; another (it was 3 years ago at CEDA)- " within 7 years of time this system will not function as per the provision of present constitution and condition". I have my own hypotheses under which observations can be made. Therefore, see for few years, the turmoil of the country remains as it is. The country is in the apex time of its transitional phase. The current surfaced political leaders cannot do any thing.

TGQ2: Politicians say Nepal has already become a play ground for alien forces. Do you subscribe to this view? If yes then how you would prefer to justify your claims? If  it were not then how you forward your justifications?

Dr. Sharma: Yes, I fully agree to this argument. Whenever changes take place in Nepal, the external forces used to play a decisive role, so it goes ahead. Being a small nation and its geo-political vulnerability, it is easily infected by alien forces. Let us turn back to the change of 1950, king Mahendra's assertive period rather say period of partyless Panchayat era, and the restoration of multiparty movement. But one thing you always remember that the alien forces hardly desire to initiate intervention without pre invitation or information rather they are called or asked what is to be done by the ruler of our country. Being a small nation and open toward south, India might benefit the least otherwise no other nation can take any advantage from a government change in a tiny country like Nepal.  At the last, the problem is ours we should solve it at any rate.

TGQ3: As a political scientist, how you take the present Koirala-Deuba conflict? Deuba says he was forced to the wall and hence called for fresh elections. Koirala and his loyalists say that Deuba acted under some one's instigation. How you take the present volatile situation in the country and more specifically in the congress? Will it have a wider impact in existing Nepali politics which apparently has disillusioned the majority of the population. Your comments please.

Dr. Sharma: Nepali Congress party lacks a charismatic unified leader after the death of B.P Koirala. A leadership can not be troika or couple, as a political party can not exist in two ideologies or principles. At present the NC has left its stated ideology, i.e. democracy and socialism, in practice, it is only in their election manifesto. Therefore, the conflict between Koirala and Deuba is no more about political and ideological debate and even not directly between these two figures rather it is between their two symphonies. Yes, at present Deuba is forced to the wall so he cannot break the wall rather use his prerogative right, i.e. clause-53 (4) of the Constitution. It is the right step of democratization process. He has only one option. But I do not think Deuba does need anyone's instigation to call for fresh elections. Is there such preceding or proofs in the recommendations of the former PMs' steps? No. And I think G. P. Koirala has hardly any loyalists rather they who are around him are just Iagos (ill-wishers). The blame to Deuba does not weigh a single proof. I take this situation a very natural phenomenon which will assert a new direction in Nepali Congress but it is a pity that this intra-paty conflict imparts a negative consequence to the process of democratic practice. The other political parties can follow this legacy. The present conflict has eroded the democratic norms and values or practice and ruined the image of Nepali Congress at last. Unless NC begs excuse with the people, there is no room for future government. Now in the street, people have begun to brand all political parties with same token. It is bad. So it is not only the loss of NC but to all the so-called democratic parties. It has created confusion, almost statelessness and uncertainty of every thing. There is possibility of every thing. However, it will shed light to the right track and everyone will have a sense of responsibility and direction. Every Nepali will identify where he/she has been standing and know where to stand.

TGQ4: I congratulate you for having received doctoral degree recently. Would you be kind enough to tell us the gist of the topic on which you secured this prestigious degree? In what ways your thesis benefit the nation?

Dr. Sharma: Thank you for your well wishes on my academic career. The topic or the problem that I undertook was about People's Participation in Local Development Planning and its hypothesis was- the more the people's involvement, the better the development achievement. It is an empirical study. So, I have learnt from the people that the concept of people's participation has been changed and so is the local planning. It is the time think globally and act locally. Development planning up to yesterday was hardware or infrastructural but today it is moving skills from hands to head or development of software. My thesis has identified three types of people in the context of participation and the trend of participation has changed from a single order of a Mukhiya (patriarch) to council of about five dozen popular representatives plus various stakeholders of civil societies. It is purely indigenous inference, which is based on fresh experience and knowledge of the stakeholders of the local development planners and policy makers. It is a bottom up process.

The hitherto planning technique and practice should be replaced by the new approach or model, i.e. moving skills from hands to head (software planning). The traditional methods and concept have been challenged by the new waves of IT or science and technology. So our NPC should think over it and accommodate according to the needs of the people and pace of time. Therefore, the local as well as national planners and policy makers can benefit from the inferences drawn from the fresh values of the local development stakeholders.

TGQ5: Maoists wish for dialogue. Deuba says no to their offer. The government will apparently soon be equipped with sophisticated weapons from the developed West apart from the moral support it now enjoys from the western nations who have vowed to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the globe. Can this nation afford continued battles for long? Is it logical as well? And should not the Maoists lay down their arms prior to attending the talks as per the government's wishes? How you would wish to comment on these conflicting views? Or have you a solution to these perplexing questions? Your comments please.

Dr. Sharma: First, Maoist movement should not be branded as terrorist but at present few of their activities resemble as terrorist.  The Jhapa Andolan, plane hijacking, throwing bomb to the monarch and such other activities operated by the present establishment and those who are in the Opposition were also some terrorist activities. It can not be compared with the mission of Bin laden. If it is terrorism a nation or government should not have any type of dialogue. Why it was not terrorism before the Dang incident or for six years? Just the government knows it now? What did the government do in three round dialogues? It is unfortunate. Maoist is the byproduct of the worst governance in Nepalese annals. This is insurgency or dissident originated from a poor performance of the government to the delivery of goods and services to the deprived or marginalized groups of people. To brand Maoist indiscriminately is to disguise one's blurred face or weakness and beg loan from the West or else and crush one's enemies. However, leading to terrorism should be controlled. I have my own definition of terrorism. I will define it some time. For the time being just know the meaning insurgency. A thought can not be wiped away with the help of single gun. Ask it with security force and analysts. The Western moral support and so-called sophisticated weapons is a short-term help for Nepalese problem. See why that much aid and assistance for democracy consolidation or strengthen project provided by the West has not been able to stabilize the government, control the abuse of authority, and very apparently corruption? The West will certainly able to eradicate the menace of terrorism from the globe but what about the terrorism of internal abuse of authority, corruption and such other attitudes of the political leaders? It is so-called mass base and popular terrorism since they are elected from the people. Nepal has to fight a long battle for this. But the battle with Maoist is a short one and even she can not do that for long. It is a peaceful dialogue. The only way the world has witnessed around for such problem. A fool can imagine that beyond it. It is not easy that government wishes Maoist lay down their arms which signifies the surrender, if it is surrender then there is no need of dialogue. At present both sides are in a great loss. None of them have won the battle rather some body who is behind the curtain. The ultimate solution of the problem is peaceful dialogue in which at any rate, in any capacity, at any time, both should come to the table and realize their own capacity and mistakes for the peace, prosperity and development of the people and the nation. The West and other friendly countries should do some homework to this ground if they really want peace and eradicate terrorism from Nepal. Thank you.

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