5 Questions

This week we preferred to invite comments on various contemporary national issues confronting the nation from Nepal’s acclaimed academic sector.

At one time or the other in the past, these "national assets" have appeared in these columns. The academicians have expressed their own individual analyses which is as follows: Chief editor.

Govt. must accept Maoists as a force

Prof. Dr. Ram Kumar Dahal, Political Science Department, T.U

TGQ1: How do you see the prospect of the third round of Government-Maoist talks? Will it take place at all? Where lies the problem?

Dr. Dahal: So far on the prospect of the third round of Government Maoist talks is concerned, I view it positively. But both the government and the Maoists must be honest in creating positive environment for the talks. The government as a guardian must be particularly honest. The delay in the talks is not a positive signal or in other words is a challenge for the talks.

The government should not hesitate to accept the Maoists as one of the important political forces of Nepal. Whosoever may take the credit for the talks, it should not be disturbed at any cost. Only assurances and words are not enough for this. The Nepalese political leaders including those in power should not think about whoever take the leading role or credit and should go ahead honestly.

They should only think that the problems should be permanently settled or addressed. If the problem is not solved in time, the country will have to suffer or face more challenges and hardship in the future, which the country can no longer tolerate.

Political compulsion is there to continue agitation

Professor Habibullah Syed, Head of Political Science Department, T.U

TGQ2: What political significance you see that will come out of the relay hunger strike being initiated by the Congress and its other agitating partners?

Prof. Habibullah: First of all, they read the political parties in agitation, that people are not supporting the agitation of the agitating parties overwhelmingly.

But the workers of the political parties, willingly or unwillingly, supporting their cause because of their ideology. Their idleness on the one hand and their hopes that in future if the agitating parties come to power, they will enjoy the political benefits is what is pressing them to come to the streets.

There is a compulsion, as I see it, for the mainstream political leaders’ to keep on the present scenario so that the peaceloving people could not forget them and their presence in the politics of the nation. This they do so only to exhibit that their action against the King is not exhausted yet. So they are continuing up to their last breath till there is a decision regarding the election or whatsoever comes from the King. This is my personal analysis.

Crisis could be averted if Madhav Nepal is appointed Prime Minister

Lal Babu Yadav, Lecturer, Political Science, Patan Multiple Campus, T.U

TGQ3: What will happen to the ongoing agitation if Koirala or Madhav Nepal is the Prime Minister? What is your comment?

Lal Babu: The root cause of the ongoing agitation in the country is the absence of democratic structures that have been dismantled after the dissolution of house of representative and local bodies and failure to conduct elections. Furthermore, inability to resolve the Maoist problem and address the political will of the people also fueled the ongoing agitation.

The urgent need now is to pacify the frustration prevalent in different layers of the Nepali society. Now, coming to your question as to whether Mr. Nepal and Koirala can resolve this problem if any of them become Prime Minister, I see some possibilities. The obvious reason is that they are the leaders of the larger parties and have strong hold in students and other civil society organizations like trade unions and others. If they become Prime Minister a new scenario will appear. Most likely they will immediately announce election and seek a fresh mandate of the people. It was a great mistake in the history of political development of the country that Mr. Nepal was not made Prime Minister despite the unanimous decision of the 5 big political parties. People seem to be dissatisfied the way Mr. Thapa was made Prime Minister. Everybody knows who are behind this.

The discontinuity of Government-Maoist dialogue is the result of the failure of the present leadership. Therefore, I sincerely believe that if the nation wished to come out of the present political crisis, Mr. Nepal, who enjoyed the confidence of the five agitating parliamentary parties and who was a man of consensus as well be made the Prime Minister of the country. 

The King now playing more of an assertive role

Prof. Anand Prasad Shrestha, English Department, T.U

TGQ4: How do you see the present political crisis in the country? Who is to be blamed for this: the King or the political parties?

Prof. Shrestha: I see this as a result of the power politics of the last twelve years. The political parties that have come and gone out of power are all responsible to a smaller or greater extent.

The King now playing more of an assertive role is the natural outcome of the last twelve years of mis-rule and malgovernance, rampant corruption etc. brought about by political parties in the name of democracy.

The King is not to blame. He does have some role and is accountable to the country and the people. The political parties have lost the faith and support of the people. Therefore instead of criticizing the King and holding mass rallies, it will be wise for them to be introspective and self-critical and win back the faith the people once had in them.

Revival of parliament would mean opening of Pandora’s box

Professor. Dr. Gopal Pokhrel, Political Science Department, Patan Multiple Campus, T.U

TGQ5: Do you think that the King can restore parliament as demanded by Koirala and other political parties now in agitation? Will that be a constitutional move?

Prof. Pokhrel: In the Nepalese political canvas, clouds of uncertainties and conflicts have pushed the nation towards a "failed state". Currently, the internal dynamics pertaining to the Nepalese politics is further polarized between the Palace on the one hand and on the other political parties including the Maoists—being on the forefront.

After October 4 episode, a serious and unending national debate has been going on which instead of narrowing the rift between and among the warring faction has widened the gap further adding more suffering and miseries to the already much harassed people. The political parties which are instrumental in materializing lofty ideals of democracy must not be marginalised at any pretext.

Likewise, hardening of attitudes by any of the major political forces must be given up which would facilitate the peaceful management of the conflict. It is the right time for each party, be it the monarchy, the Maoists and other political leaders must search their souls and try to evolve a national consensus.

Pertaining to your specific question, I as a student of Nepalese Constitution do not deem appropriate that the restoration of the parliament as demanded by Koirala and his colleagues would be a right move. This in my opinion might act as opening Pandora’s box causing further damage to the nation, which has already eroded the fabrics of our society badly.

If we are to survive as a nation, we must learn from hindsight and as such our leaders must refrain from pursuing a policy of brinkmanship.

Headline | National | Editorial | 2nd Impression | International | Past