Wednesday, November 30, 2005

Peace at any cost?

Niraj Aryal

Allegations and counter allegations in Nepali politics continue but in a different magnitude as the twelve points agreement between the Maoists and the Seven Party Alliances reached in New Delhi at the overt and covert behest of the Indian Government.

A few intellectuals and not many matured political analysts that the nation posses also seem to be divided over the issue of dramatic change in the Indian stance from sponsoring terrorist activities in its backyard and now making effort in bringing the so-called state declared illegitimate and legitimate Nepali political forces together in its own premises to forge an agreement.

The Nepali intellectuals and political analysts following the same tradition of indecision over the national issues concerning India have not been able to decide whether to welcome the Indian move or to term it as a usual case of interference in Nepali matters.

Whether peace prevails or fails to restore one question that will be continuously asked among the educated ranks would be, Peace: at what price? Taking into account the nature of Indo-Nepal relationship that is solely based on “Give aplenty and Take little” type, it is highly unlikely that India would provide its services free of cost. Continuing with the same argument it can be said that, what the political parties (likely to be dubbed as anti-nationalists by the present regime) along with the Maoists (previously considered as the ultra nationalists), would have offered to the Indian regime, perhaps in a silver plate while forging the agreement. If something was offered to the voracious neighbor whose appetite remains par excellence in the world, then what was it, in the pretext that the previous regimes in the country had forgotten to offer?

Another major factor that needs to be analyzed here is the happening of unbelievable that the merging of previously divided international alliance over the issue of political parties forming an alliance with the Maoists in New-Delhi. The US and UK’s affirmation to the Indian game of alienating the King by forcing the Maoists to forge an alliance with the parties, is still an open question, which needs to be further investigated. Let Moriarty return from his country, which has summoned him for consultations.

Now coming to the national arena, the growth in anxiety is very much visible among the power players in the present regime as the use of harsh words directed to the opposite camp in public gatherings do not seem to be restricted to any limit. On the other hand, leaders in the seven party alliances sparing no time continue to reciprocate. The Nepali politics continue to not abide by the limits. Zero tolerance and self centered politics continue to take the front seat in a crunch situation that the country is facing at the moment. In this pretext it is highly unlikely that long lasting peace that the nation is seeking to achieve will be reached in the near future.

All said and done the countdown to the return of the royal couple from the African safari has begun. Even this return appears to be very important to Prachanda-the macho man who has finally landed in New Delhi's net presumably. He too has told BBC Sunday evening that he is patiently waiting for King's arrival in town. Not bad!