Date Line The Telegraph - Weekly (Nepal)

D A T E L I N E

N.Aryal

On Government-Maoist talks

The Six boring questions asked by Prachanda to what he calls this government an illegitimate one but in doing so he is legitimizing it.

The only Muslim Minister in the cabinet Md. Mohasin, the spokesperson in the cabinet the other day claimed he’s answered all of them.

Like questions like answers!

The Maoists on the other hand have not yet reacted to the dull answers to their dull questions; this is in a layman’s perspective. Sorry Prachanda Comrade but this is the fact!

The government obviously wants to push itself as long as possible be it in the name of peace talks or the elections that will simply be unable to bring the nation together.

The Maoists on the other hand want to remain in the news if not peace talks then at least with a question and answer session.

Demand-Wait-Listen-Wait-React, Nepali politics excluding the four agitating parties is moving in this direction.

Agitation

The agitating parties led by Girija Baboo, depends so heavily on him that if no Girija Baboo there is no agitation, someone was whispering with his fellow party man together under an umbrella on the rain affected day of the agitation in Ratnapark.

New trend

Certain members of the so-called civil society and the human right activists.... and these days fellow senior journalists (are they really senior or not no body knows but in their looks they look certainly senior with their silvery hairs...) and also some medical practitioners, as usual they are busy in getting together in solving this never ending crisis.

This is just a part time affair but they know very well that they can achieve a lot in this course in this never ending job. If it is never ending then profits can be made!

At least you can become popular. Your wife, your children will get excited seeing you on TV in the evening.

It does not make difference if you cannot match Girija baboo or Babu Ram or the heckling P.M Deuba, you just have to say something. You can do it in Ratnapark or Tudikhel or at Bashanatapur, (the popular venues) to let people know, who you are and what you really want to convey?

This is how you become popular. In the evening, you are on TV. First step accomplished.

If there is no crisis then these emerging stars in Nepali politics coming from all possible directions would have nothing to talk about. For these individuals it is better the crisis goes on and on and on.

Examples

Take Padma Ratna Tuladhar for example, the famous weeping parliamentarian during the Panchayat days, later a UML leader and now a human rights activist and also a mediator plus half-Maoist.

All of his previous assignments made him popular but not like the one he is enjoying now. He is a human right activist (HRA) and a mediator as well. What he does with the designation of a HRA no body knows but he is always trying to mediate something. He has failed almost in all instances with this new job as well but still a popular mediator. Kudos to this failed negotiator!

You can also take another example of Daman Nath Dhungana, in the mould of Mr. Tuladhar. He was initially a Congress cadre who quit the party for good claiming that he was Girija victim in the NC. He was at times taken as a man of the palace as well. Dhungana has now settled himself as a HR activist and claims that he is a mediator of the highest order. Albeit, a tag is on his head that he is also a half-Maoist. Very good job, they have got. It keeps them always busy and demanding as well. So many important portfolios being tackled by one great brain. Kudos Dhungana!

These very individuals do not qualify for being a mediator or even a HRA theoretically or even practically but are very popular, this is what is keeping them in the salary less job.

Conclusion

So dear senior journalists and others please try to follow Tuladhar-Dhungana foot-prints and be a mediator or a HRA. This is worth doing and this is of course a never-ending crisis.