I n d e p t h    A n a l y s i s
Why no polls?

Kathmandu: Public discussions continue to stand around the issue of the revival of the parliament in the absence of any other public standpoint among the major political parties. The latest to raise this issue is none other than Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba's own "democratic congress".

Not lost in the discussions is the public awareness of the why's of the discussion in his central committee. Deuba's party has members who can bargain with the mainstream Girija congress if the dissolved parliament is restored to bring Deuba down in the bargain for a cabinet berth. This is precisely why Deuba dissolved the parliament hastily in anticipation of a no-confidence motion to be jointly submitted by the UML and the congress.

Only last week, similar concerns dominated the UML central committee sessions. The UML meeting emerged from demands of better performance by government with the stick of parliamentary revival. Both the congress-democratic and the UML, remarkably, had members not in the cabinet as government's biggest critic and outspoken spokesperson of parliamentary revival. It is precisely this fluid thirst for cabinet berths that contributed to the dissolution of the parliament.

Lost in this clamor and the many justifications placed for the revival of the dissolved parliament is the extra constitutionality of the demand. The constitutional recourse has always been elections and the Maoists far from being the lone impediment to the polls, the exposure these standpoints bring to the parliamentary parties is that it is they who are the primary impediment to constitutional elections. As much as they tend to agree when not in power for extra constitutional recourses to the revival of the dissolved parliament, why can't they agree with the King's constitutional efforts for a national government composed also of the political parties represented in the dissolved parliament to conduct the elections and face the Maoists unitedly?

King Gyanendra visiting Delhi this month?

Kathmandu: Unsubstantiated reports have it that King Gyanendra is eager to visit India soon in his bid to end the political crisis created by the Maoists imbroglio.

The King is on record to have bluntly said in a recent interview granted to an Indian daily that he would wish to know the Indian mind vis-a-vis the Nepal's Maoists issue from the leaders of the Indian establishment.

The other side though has not pushed its own 'structured' comments on the King's political preference while being in India, however, India of late has come to realize that insurgencies of the sort of the Maoists of Nepal or the Kamta Liberation Organization or for that matter the ULFA and BODO functioning in her own territories bode threat to the regional security in general and Indian security interests in particular.

This realization in the Indian leadership would perhaps help ease Nepal King Gyanendra's problem in expressing his own concerns in a free and frank manner for the side with whom he would be talking is at the moment herself a victim of a host of even more dangerous insurgencies than what Nepal has been confronting since a decade or so.

That the Indian side will now be exhibiting even greater interest in tackling the Maoists issue by the Nepali establishment simply because West Bengal authorities have just the other day revealed that the Kamta Liberation Organization members were being provided shelter by the Maoists on the other side of the border. The authorities have also said that "since Nepal has so far remained unable to tackle the Maoists issue, some mechanisms should be devised to support Nepal in order to contain the threats of the KLO".

This means that one of the bordering areas of Nepal, for example, West Bengal, is already feeling the brunt of the insurgency both within and without.

This clearly explains that the Nepali Maoists of late have been enjoying friendly relations with the KLO, an Indian outfit that is creating problems in West Bengal and also in the adjoining areas. In addition to this, reports emanating from the Indian press reveal that Nepali Maoists have strong linkages with the MCC and PWG- the Indian version of the Maoists- and have developed a sort of corridor that allows the insurgents of both the sides to take shelter at time of crisis in either countries. The corridor presumably links Nepal with Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.

With all these terrifying symptoms already in place, Nepali analysts hope that India this time would perhaps listen to Nepali King's perceptions seriously as dilly-dallying in such a grave issue by India would mean that inviting trouble for itself ultimately.

King Gyanendra's eagerness to visit India also speaks of his latent desire that he would wish the Maoists issue sorted out with the Indian support in order to avoid killing of the Nepalese by another set of the Nepalese.

Hidden perhaps is King's wish that he prefers to see the Maoists attending to the negotiating table prior to the expiry of the deadline offered by the government to the Maoists for talks.

Is this the real reason for which the King is more interested in visiting India? Is it that he is providing a lease of life to his Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba?

However, unconfirmed reports have it that the other side is also thinking of inviting King Gyanendra at the earliest for a variety of reasons.

The only question that is left is at what price India would extend its support to Nepal? Nepalese analysts remain firm in their assumption that India would not extend her support to this Kingdom unconditionally. But should Nepal obey to the Indian dictates in the name of bringing the Nepali Maoists to the mainstream politics?

Analysts presume that the monarch knows better on how to deal with India and hope that the King will take care of Nepal's national interests at time of his tête-à-tête with the Indian leaders.

The fact is that India too being the victim of similar insurgencies will hopefully not squeeze Nepal this time as she has a habit of screwing her smaller neighbors at times of their crisis.

Analysts here hope that India would not press Nepal to go in for an all out war against the Maoists in the name of taming the threats of the insurgents.

Dr. Mohsin's bombshell irks street revolutionaries

Kathmandu: Dr. Mohsin, the communication minister in the Deuba cabinet who is also entrusted with the job of the spokes person of the government is once again in the media headlines.

The fact is that Dr. Mohsin creates ripples in the political paraphernalia as and when he speaks some thing on Nepali politics. The fact is also that when he speaks, he awaits scathing criticisms of the highest order from his detractors mostly from the four party alliances against what they call regression whose activities begin from Ratnapark unfortunately to end at Ratnapark. In a way the victim of their struggle against regression has become the Ratnapark Island.

At two separate programs in a week or so, Dr. Mohsin spoke his mind, which sent chilling waves in the minds of his detractors.

At a program of the Nepali journalists Dr. Mohsin categorically said that the talk of the revival of the now dissolved parliament was senseless and ridiculous as it has already become a matter of the distant past and that it would be more desirable to go in for fresh elections for the country can't continue for long in the absence of the parliament.

In the same venue Dr. Mohsin admitted that if his government can't conduct the elections as per the instructions of the King, the government under Deuba had no moral authority to continue in the government.

As regards the Maoists disinclination to come to the talks with the government, Dr. Mohsin maintained that the establishment can't wait for an indefinite period waiting the Maoists to come to the talks.

Analysing Dr. Mohsin's outbursts what could be concluded is that restoration of the parliament as demanded by NC President Koirala and his street partners would not see the light of the day and that the government can't wait the Maoists coming to the talks sine die.

This means that the dates for the declaration of the election dates were coming closer as the Maoists have been hinting that they would not care the government's deadline that is not even two weeks from now.

At a separate program held in Biratnagar the other day, Dr. Mohsin said that the Maoists will never succeed in their bid for the installation of a sort of one-party communist rule in Nepal. "If by chance the State fails in its bid to control the Maoists from capturing the State, the newly emerging scenario thus might prompt foreign forces to intervene in Nepal", added Dr. Mohsin citing the instances of foreign intervention in Iraq and Afghanistan.

If that happens, continued Dr. Mohsin, even the United Nations can't come to the rescue of the nation.

He however, did not mention as to which country in the globe could take such an initiative.

Koirala's agenda gaining clandestine support

Kathmandu: The lone crusader of the demand for the restoration of the dissolved parliament, Girija Prasad Koirala has reasons to be happy.

He should be pleased to know that the number of his supporters both within and without was increasing in favor of his one point agenda and that being the unconditional restoration of the parliament.

As if the support he was receiving in his own home country were not enough, some foreign countries too appear to have begun subscribing to Koirala's penchant for the restoration of the parliament which he thinks could be the panacea for all the anomalies confronting the nation of late.

However, which countries in the globe were clandestinely supporting Koirala's cause is not known. However, what is known for sure is that Sir Jaffery James, the British authority, while talking to the press last month did hint that his country would not if Nepal's dissolved parliament were restored. In saying so Sir James favored Koirala's standpoints. But then he concurrently forgot to assess the impact of his saying on Nepal's judicial procedures and its fallout.

Nevertheless, Koirala could find a true friend in Sir James for having favored his solo agenda.

This is not all.

A set of politically affiliated newspapers in the capital have begun predicting even to the extent that King Gyanendra would be summarily told by his hosts in Delhi to go in for the restoration of the Nepali parliament.

It becomes very difficult to understand as to how some Nepali brilliant brains could predict the minds of the Indian side in advance and that they write so with full confidence.

What is that that makes them so confident? The significance of such bold and blunt writings lies here.

Only two things emerge from such brilliant predictions. Either Indian authorities would have leaked this would be happening to the newspaper men which is not an unusual phenomenon or the newspaper men were pushing their very personal ideas to the other side for consumption and act on those at the appropriate time.

Be that as it may, more or less what is becoming more than evident is that India could press the monarch to support Koirala's initiative.

However, how the monarch would satisfy the Indian leaders would have to be watched.

That Indian interest was growing slowly but very steadily in favor of the restoration of the parliament in Kathmandu also becomes clear from how one Nepali editor was allegedly pressed hard recently by one Indian diplomat to print what was sent to the editor by the embassy which talked solely of the restoration of the parliament.

Should this mean that the Indian establishment sees the need to restore the parliament in order to correct the constitutional anomalies that have cropped of late in Nepali politics?

Does this mean that Nepali congress president Girija Prasad Koirala is enjoying solicited/unsolicited support from the southern neighbor for his cause? By the same token could it be said that Koirala of late is in the good book of the southern neighbor, which the former denies strongly?

Analysts however, do not recall India having officially endorsed so far Koirala's one-point agenda.

The unfolding events in Nepali politics in the days ahead will surely uncover the truth behind such clandestine political overtures.

Nepal capable to solve Maoists issue

- Chinese Ambassador, Nepal 

Kathmandu: The Chinese Ambassador to the Nepali court, Sun Heping, has said that his country had no intentions or whatsoever of interfering on the Maoist problem in Nepal, it is learnt.

The Chinese official version has come at a time when King Gyanendra is visiting Delhi shortly in order presumably to seek Indian assistance in taming the threats posed to the country by the Maoists insurgency.

The Chinese envoy has spoken his country's mind at a time when informed and high placed sources in Kathmandu mutter that India would not settle for less than seeking a role for herself at time of the government-Maoists talks that is yet to take place.

It is so far not known as to what India is to extract from such a role for her in an issue that Nepal could sort out provided India agrees to support Nepal even morally.

Admitting that Nepal was competent on resolving the problems faced by the country, the Chinese envoy apparently has tried to hint some interested quarters to let Nepal go her own way and not meddle in an affair that was exclusively a Nepali issue.

"Our policy is not to intervene in the domestic affairs of any country," said the Chinese envoy in Pokhara the other day.

IN saying so the Chinese dignitary apparently presumes in the corner of his heart that his country sees the possibility of some countries intervening in the Nepali domestic issue at time of the talks.

Be that as it may, the timing of the Chinese expression is not only timely but significant as well in more ways than one.

Journalist missing

Kathmandu: The Chief editor of the Shram Weekly, Mr. Sitaram Parajuli, is missing since two weeks, it is learnt.

A press release issued by the Federation of the Nepalese Journalists has said that Mr. Parajuli was apprehended by the security forces some two weeks back on reasons not known to the FNJ and the family of the missing journalist.

Security forces in civil dress are learnt to have nabbed Mr. Parajuli from Baneshwar while he was returning home in the evening.

Mr. Parajuli's whereabouts are not known since then, says the press note issued by the FNJ.

The FNJ says that the journalists have become the victim of the two guns, which need to be checked.

The FNJ has also demanded the immediate and the safe return of Mr. Parajuli.

The family members of Mr. Parajuli too have appealed the concerned authorities for his safe release.

CNI donates relief materials to Colombo

Kathmandu: The Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) donated relief materials worth Rs.1 million to Sri Lankan people affected by last week’s tsunami.

The relief materials comprising clothes, foodstuff and medicines were handed over to the Sri Lankan embassy in Kathmandu amid a function last week.

The CNI chief Mr. Binod Choudhari told that it was first case of the Nepali private sector offering aid to a foreign country.

Sri Lankan ambassador to Nepal, Her Excellency Grace Asirwatham, lauded the CNI’s efforts while colleting the relief materials.

Speaking at the program, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Prakash Saran Mahat commended CNI’s move and urged other organisations to extend support to the Lankan tsunami victims.

GTZ to stop aid

Kathmandu: GTZ is suspending relief assistance to freed kamaiyas of Dang, Banke, Bardia, Kailali, and Kanchanpur districts in mid-west and far-west Nepal from January this year. The relief was being provided from 2000 and it will be suspended from 2005 as per the agreement, a GTZ official in Kathmandu said.

GTZ was providing relief assistance to 90,000 freed kamaiyas of 13,000 families. At a time when the government has not done anything for the freed kamaiyas, the freed kamaiyas will be in a dilemma with the withdrawal of donors, said Chauniya Lal Chaudhari of Manua Lahagad of Bardia.

Bidrohi elected

Kathmandu: An 11-member executive committee of the Kathmandu unit of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists under the chairmanship of Yubaraj Bidrohi was elected last week.

Dixit passes away

Kathmandu: Veteran diplomat and National Security Advisor of India, J. N. Dixit, passed away in New Delhi Monday morning after suffering a massive heart attack. 

Mr. Dixit(68-year-old) served in all the South Asian countries except Maldives.

He is survived by his wife and two daughters. 

He was the High Commissioner in Colombo in 1987 when India signed an accord with the LTTE and sent the Indian peacekeeping force to the island nation at the height of the ethnic crisis. 

He was the first Indian High Commissioner to Afghanistan and had also served as High Commissioner in Islamabad, considered an important posting and a stepping stone to becoming the Foreign Secretary. 

Dixit was also India’s first High Commissioner to Bangladesh soon after its creation in 1971. 

Dixit was also a prolific author and columnist on international and regional affairs.

Growing Maoist-KLO-Ulfa nexus

Kathmandu: With the Chief Minister of West Bengal accusing the Maoists of Nepal of sheltering the KLO militants and admitting the possible links between Kamtapur Liberation Organization, United Liberation Front of Asom and the Maoists last week, an Indian army official in Kolkata admitted that the army was keeping a close watch on the growing nexus.

"It certainly poses a new threat, if this continues", he said addressing a press meet in the Bengal capital.

Maoists warn to close down industries

Kathmandu: The All Nepal Trade Union Federation (ANTUF), an affiliate of the CPN (Maoist), last week warned to launch industrial strikes if the commitments expressed earlier by the government and the industrialists were not met by the end of this month.

Issuing a statement today, ANTUF chairman Salikram Jamakattel demanded that the government and the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI) fulfill the commitment as per understanding reached five months ago.

Construction works of the Mid-Marsyangdi resumes

Kathmandu: Construction works of the 70 MW Mid-Marsyangdi hydel-project in western Nepal—that remained closed for the past few weeks—resumed from last week, officials said.

An official at the project in western district of Lamjung told Nepalnews that the works have resumed only during the day time at the moment and that overnight construction would also continue after a few days. He said local people and especially the workers with the project were quite happy with the resumption of works at Mid-Marsyangdi. 

Journalist dead

Kathmandu: Bhai Raja Panday, editor of vernacular weekly Naya Jana Kranti, was cremated at the Pashupati Aryaghat last week. He was 42. Panday died of a heart attack. The Telegraph Weekly condoles the untimely demise of late Pandey.

Dalits attacked in Saptari

Kathmandu: A group of so-called upper-cast attacked and injured around two dozen dalits (Musahars) at Mahadevpur in Saptari last week torching their houses, local officials said. The incident was triggered after a dalit child trespassed on a farm belonging to a Mandal. Mandals set up roadblocks and prevented the injured from being rushed to hospital.

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