I n d e p t h    A n a l y s i s
Fluidity strengthens King

Kathmandu: Focus on the second breakthrough with the Maoists after the ceasefire that of the agreement on the code of conduct for talks virtually drowns the rhetoric of mainstream parliamentary parties. Effort on their part thus is to announce their continuing presence in the body politic by galvanizing their student cadre. The postponement of student elections by the TU under Maoists pressure has thus become a convenient issue for the congress Nepal student Union while the many shades of the left ANFSU is mustering support for their own agitation.

Last Week saw agreement by the discordant four, namely the Congress, the UML, the NMKP and the left front, to unite against the Royal measure in support of which ever of their two separate demands- the restoration of the dissolved parliament or the formation of an all-party government. It is precisely this move however, which exposes these parties for their blatant bid for government. Their stance that the King’s action is unconstitutional remains exposed amidst the conflicting demands that place as the constitutional recourse to article 127. Furthermore, in the past four months since the Chand government event have made public the efficacy of the King’s move and the Maoists have entered a political fray that threatens to elbow the mainstream to the sidelines. It is thus that a sense of desperation prevails in the Congress and the Left and its is this desperation that makes their demonstration on the streets predictable. While the masses may be mere spectators, there is no denying that the parties combined have their political cadre to flaunt as strength.

It is not surprising therefore that this degree of desperation is reflected also in the partisan media. Their tirade against the King and his moves are getting more shrill. Both Congress and UML now threaten to support a constituent assembly and republicanism and there are moves to woo the Maoists against government – temptation the Maoists will use to the full.

A heightened sense of expectations thus prevails amidst the fluidity. A slow and cumbersome Chand government where political response is at best is at snails pace encourages the public to look to the King for solace and initiative. There is every reason therefore to await the results of the King’s India trip and indications of it in his address to the masses at Dhangadi.

Can the parliamentary parties afford to be dubbed as villain of peace?

Kathmandu: The political parties continue to threaten the King. The King is attentively listening to their grievances.

The political parties wish a say in the impending government-Maoists talks but the existing political conditions do not allow them to soften their already declared stances vis-à-vis the Lokendra Bahadur Chand’s "unconstitutional" government.

The government under Chand remains undeterred and bluntly says that even if the political parties do not support, the talks with the Maoists will proceed.

This declaration has practically created a sort of panic in the camp now led by Girija Prasad Koirala and Madhav Nepal.

The latest government declaration came the other day when Prime Minister Chand himself told a gathering in the Western region that the talks with the Maoists will proceed smoothly even if the political parties did not extend their cooperation as usual.

Going a bit more further, minister Ramesh Nath Pandey angrily told a Pokhara gathering that the present establishment will not wait ad infinitum the disgruntled political parties to come to attend an all-party meeting that would facilitate the government-Maoists talks to be held soon. Minister Pandey went to the extent that he almost threatened the political parties that they will be left far behind in the country’s political process if they declined to attend the government sponsored all-party meet.

What is surprising here is that both the Prime Minister and the Minister have talked tough against the "discordant four" after the leaders of the four party alliance plus the leader of the congress-Democratic were granted a Royal audience last week. Here lies the significance of the prime minister and the minister’s changed tones.

However, it would be too premature to conclude that both of these two distinguished personalities of the present establishment exhibited their wrath against the political parties sensing the "mood" of the monarch or did it on their own. They could have done on their own presumably when they could conclude that the Maoists too were ready to go in for talks even without the participation of the major political parties. This sounds logical for if one carefully analyzed the Maoists leaders’ recent utterances and their penchant for initiating talks at the earliest what comes to the fore is that the government and the Maoists have come more closer to each other than what the political parties in the other camp might have in their imagination.

Some quarters maintain that the eagerness of the Maoists for the talks is to share power in the yet to be an all-party or for that matter an interim government that will perhaps take shape when the talks with the government will proceed "smoothly".

The Maoists have yet to refute such allegations.

This clearly means that the government and the Maoists will take up the challenge of restoring peace in the country come what may. In the process, it appears, they both wish to seen to portray or for that matter project the major political parties as "villain of peace" which is what is slowly and very steadily taking shape in the minds of the lay and the ever "marginalised" population of the country who wish the prevalence of peace and peace only. For the laymen, the cost for peace is immaterial. They need peace at any cost.

The King is a force which the Maoists have time and again reiterated after they came to the open. So are the parliamentary political parties by all account. The third force which has suddenly emerged as a very powerful force in the country is indeed the Maoists insurgency. Given this new power balance in the existing scheme of things in the country, it is very likely that if the parliamentary forces continue to undermine the existence of the two other equally powerful forces might bring the Maoists and the monarchical forces at one place which time permitting might begin neglecting the parliamentary forces to the extent that this force might begin retaliating against the two much the same way as the Maoists did in the recent past.

The adamancy and the obdurate behavior currently being exhibited by the forces that claim to be the sole guardians of the parliamentary system is alienating them all from the common masses. Sooner the political parties understand the people’s sentiments the better.

That the Maoists too have become allergic of the mainstream political parties comes to the fore when one listens to the incessant "explanations" being furnished by the Maoists leaders in convincing the discordant political parties that they have come to the talks with no ulterior motives and that they haven’t as yet struck any clandestine deal with the "old regime". Despite the apparent sincere efforts of the Maoists, the parliamentary parties appear not to digest the Maoists theory and hence they suspect designs to undermine the role of the political parties at time of the talks that are yet to begin.

The government is ready for talks. The Maoists have appear more interested in the talks. The political parties suspect the very motives of those who have announced the ceasefire and have already agreed upon the code of conduct for the talks. The King and the international community wish that Nepal regained its lost stature of a land of peace. In the process, frankly speaking, the parliamentary parties are losing their face in the eyes of the people who now suspect the very motives of the political parties.

"If the talks are not held on time or if the talks fail this time, it would be concluded that the talks have failed only because the major political parties made it to fail for obvious political reasons", commented a political science teacher at the Tribhuvan University on condition of anonymity.

The major political parties must see the writings on the wall and act accordingly, added the same political scientist.

Maoists not to settle for less than a "constituent assembly"

Kathmandu: Krishna Bahadur Mahara is in the news these days.

He is in the news because he has become the newsmaker.

Mahara is busy these days in clarifying his party’s positions regarding the need to go in for the sudden announcement of the ceasefire with the government.

The political parties appear to disagree to his views and suspect "grand designs" in the whole affair and maintain that the present ceasefire is nothing but a "tacit" arrangement of the two "guns" whose sole aim is to side line the "parliamentary" parties.

But then yet Mahara and his colleague Dina Nath Sharma appear determined to go on convincing the overly suspicious political parties of their sincere motives.

Krishna Bahadur Mahara Monday afternoon and in the evening appeared in two separate TV channels wherein he reiterated almost the same things that he has been in the recent past saying.

His explanations deserve deep analysis.

Firstly, Mahara says that his party is in the talks with no ulterior motives and that this time they meant business. When he says so, analysts have reasons to believe that his party this round of talks will though push their own declared agenda to the perusal of the "old regime" but would not be that mush rigid which forces the negotiations to meet a sad fate. This also means that the Maoists party this time will exhibit more "flexibility" than what they had exhibited last time during Deuba’s premiership.

Secondly, Mahara says that only by claiming that the present system were a multi-party one doesn’t mean that it is that in strictest sense of the terms. In fact Mahara said that it was a multiparty system but which lacked the very spirit of the system.

"The past thirteen years of the functioning of this system has amply proved that the people continued to remain neglected and that the system could not move in favor of the common men for the leaders manning the system tried it to be used in their petty political interests", said Mahara.

In his opinion, though the system in itself was not at fault but the men manning the system gave it a very bad name and shape.

"We in our party wish that Nepal marched ahead for such a system that took ample care of the people in a much more enhanced manner", continued Mahara. In saying so Mahara wished to hint that the system currently in vogue in the country has already become redundant and that the further continuation of the same system would mean that the people’s problems will ever remain as it is.

Mahara clearly hinted that his Party would wish a new system that guarantees the rights of the people which could only be accomplished when the people themselves were allowed to write a new constitution through the constituent assembly.

" Have the people ever been allowed to write a constitution that makes them sovereign and assures their basic rights?" Mahara questioned.

Regarding his party’s inclination to go in for talks with a regime that has been dubbed as "unconstitutional" by various political parties, Mahara said that it was a matter of degree only that differentiated this regime with the previous Deuba regime.

" Qualitatively, Deuba regime was no better than the present Chand regime", added Mahara.

On a query Mahara made it clear that "talks are held between two powers" and that at the moment his party, an already established power, were talking with yet another power that is with the King’s government.

"It is immaterial for us with whom we are talking", clarified Mahara. According to him, if it were a Deuba or a Koirala regime at the moment, we would have initiated talks with that particxular set of government.

To yet another query, Mahara made it abundantly clear that they were not forced to come to the talks by any national or international force but instead they decided on this issue on their own.

Though Mahara appeared confident in his explanations but then yet what could be read from his utterances that his party was not that happy over the stance taken by country’s major political parties over their suddenly agreeing for the talks with Chand’s government.

In the process of the interview, the Maoist leader implied that his party would not settle for less than the formation of a constituent assembly.

Summing it up, Mahara said that the present system has become redundant; and that a new system that guaranteed more powers to the people be brought into force; and that the people be allowed to chart their own destiny by writing a new constitution through the formation of a constituent assembly; and that the monarchy continues to be a force in Nepal; and that the country’s national interests should supersede all other petty interests of parties and the leaders.

King at the center stage of Nepali politics

Kathmandu: Political parties continue to accuse the monarch to have exceeded his constitutional limits and been pressing Him to correct the constitutional blunders he has made since October 4 last year.

The King remains undeterred.

The political parties continue to threaten the King that they would wage a sort of agitation against the King’s what they call "unconstitutional" moves should he not heeded to their demands.

In the process, the Girija led congress pushes its agenda for restoring the parliament and the UML prefers the formation of an all-party government. Both the major political parties consider their agenda to have remedy for the present crisis that have gripped the nation.

The King listens to their agenda but appears not to heed to their demands and that too under pressure.

Very recently, both the congress and the UML in collaboration with the other two parties led respectively by Narayan Man Bijukche and Amik Sherchan agreed to offer a new alternative to the King: either restore the now dissolved parliament or form an all-party government.

The King again listened to this proposal but did not offer his comment.

What is in King’s mind no body knows. What, however, presumably every body know is that the King remains solidly committed for the strengthening and the consolidation of the system now in force which becomes evident from his assurances that he is giving to political leaders of various shades and colors as and when they are granted audience on a one-to-one basis at the Royal Palace.

The political leaders, albeit the disgruntled ones, claim that the monarch talks in favor of the system and democracy but his actions more often than not go against His ( the monarch’s) avowals.

The international community appears to have taken the King’s assurances at its face value and they appear confident that King Gyanendra will keep his commitments at all costs.

The King thus is in a very comfortable position.

For the Nepali leaders, he is meeting them all at regular intervals. He is listening to their proposals and assures them all that what they consider to be the best for the country he would go in for that. In doing so, he is also sending signals to friendly countries that he is a benevolent monarch who listens to even dissenting voices. The message reaches across the border, read neighboring India, whose leaders wish that the King doesn’t undermine the role of the major political parties. In meeting the leaders of the political parties the monarch wishes to hint India that he is in total consultation with the dissenting political parties as wished by her.

In the process, US Assistant Secretary of State, Donald Camp makes statement that not only strengthens the position of the monarch but also confirms that the government installed by the King was an "interim" government and not as that claimed by Koirala and Madhav Nepal.

Deliberate or otherwise, the United Kingdom sends its special emissary Sir Jefferey to Kathmandu who hails the ceasefire announcement as a welcome move much to the displeasure of the Nepal’s major political parties who see "designs" in the said announcement. This perhaps speaks of the developed West’s belief in the words of King Gyanendra.

The authorities in government too talk about the sincerity of the King towards the multi-party order and for the constitution and assure the people not to suspect the monarch’s moves.

Back home, the Maoists eagerness for talks too contributes to the monarch’s prestige and popularity. The overall impression among the majority of the population is that it was the monarch’s direct intervention that brought the Maoists to talks and that they have agreed for a ceasefire. Whether the King acted as per the general belief or not is very difficult to ascertain. But if the political parties on the one hand think that the King has remained himself active in the whole affair that has led to the ceasefire, the King on the other has reiterated in front of political leaders that he has not met any Maoists leaders privately and that whatever has happened in the recent months were solely accomplished by the government in place.

Summing up it all, the nation’s politics will continue as it is until the King is back from his India trip.

How the King takes up Koirala-Madhav combine proposals(s) upon his return from India will speak so many things, directly and indirectly both.

The India visit of the Nepali monarch is thus very important.

Francophonie day to be observed

Kathmandu: The Embassy of France in close cooperation with the Thapathali based The Alliance Francaise is organising a weeklong festival to mark the Francophonie day beginning this weekend.

On the occasion, apart from a good number of programs to highlight the importance of the Francophonie day, the Alliance Francaise is organizing a painting exhibition at its premises that will continue for all along a week or so.

Minister Ramesh Nath Pandey is the chief guest at the painting inaugural ceremony, says Prabin Rana, the deputy director at the AF.

According to the AF, the French embassy is also taking greater interest this time to make the Francophonie day a grand success.

Economic forum constituted

Kathmandu: A congregation of Nepal’s noted economic experts, entrepreneurs and intellectuals are going to form an Economic Forum (EF) in a bid to help reforming socio-economic situation in Nepal.
An adhoc committee to this effect has been formed today under the convenorship of Prithvi Raj Ligal, the Nepali congress selected former vice-chairman of the National Planning Commission (NPC).
According to a press statement issued here today, other members of the ad-hoc committee are Shambu Sharan Kayastha, Narendra Kumar Basnyat, Ananda Raj Mulmi, Keshav Raj Jha, Rajendra Kumar Khetan and Madhukar SJB Rana.

The main objective of the Economic Forum, say those housed in the Forum, will be "to pay special heed towards building permanent peace considering the economic sectors as an important and integrated sector for overall economic development.

"Without the development of Nepal’s ailing economic sector, the ad-hoc committee has concluded that the institutionalization of a sort of permanent peace will be difficult to achieve. "The ad-hoc committee wants to study on various aspects of economy, research on crucial issues, seek suggestions at different levels and from the donors as well for overall development of the nation.
The forum has welcomed the ceasefire between government and Maoists and expects permanent peace in the country for the betterment of all, states the release, adding that only peace can lead us towards prosperity.

The forum wished for lasting peace for economic growth.

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