The
Political Stand Off In Nepal
By Harsh Dobhal
25 September, 2007
Countercurrents.org
This week, Maoists have resigned
from the government after most governing parties opposed their demand
that the monarchy be abolished before the elections scheduled in November.
They have clearly accused PM Koirala and his Nepali Congress of trying
to protect King Gyanendra and have warned to start a new "people's
revolt" for the abolition of monarchy. Maoists were quick to gather
that conservative elements in political parties are gathering together.
Other coalition partners contend that the decision about Nepal's future
political system should be decided by a special assembly after the November
elections.
Having suffered for decades
at the hands of a brutal, Royal Nepalese Army, armed police and king's
other security forces, the people of Nepal rose in millions during the
April revolution last year with a clear objective in mind: abolition
of the centuries-old monarchy.
Despite American, Chinese
and Indian chess games of diplomacy, the people of Nepal succeeded in
putting their stamp on history and the king was forced to retreat and
give up his absolute and unlimited powers. As in all revolutions, there
was always the danger that the forces of reaction would regroup and
old hawks of Nepali politics will try to have their way.
After over a decade of underground
struggle, Maoists came over ground, disarmed and joined the government
with the Seven Party Alliance. They put forward a series of unprecedented
proposals for the restoration of true democracy, the disarming of the
militia and drafting of a new Constitution. It was a brave decision
by Maoists to outline the roadmap for a brave new Nepal.
Maoists, as much as the people,
were always clear that monarchy should have no place in Nepali politics,
that the country should be immediately declared a Republic. They never
had any doubt that Nepal needs a general election, having abolished
monarchy where the most marginalized - the dalits, the adivasis, madhesis,
vanvasis, women, minorities and other weaker sections - will have adequate
representation.
At that time the move was
seen as an end to their armed rebellion and this little, beautiful Himalyan
nation appeared to be on the threshold of a new era. This week, Maoists
have resigned from the government after most governing parties opposed
their demands that the monarchy be abolished before the elections scheduled
for November.
They have clearly accused
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and his Nepali Congress of trying
to protect King Gyanendra and have warned to start a new "people's
revolt" for the abolition of monarchy. Other coalition partners
contend that the decision about Nepal's future political system should
be decided by a special assembly after the November elections.
The Maoists had earlier joined
the interim government in April 2006, after signing a peace agreement
with the government. The new developments simply signify the fact that
Nepal's politics has been slowly but steadily lapsing into complacency
from such momentous changes that were paving the way for not just consistent
and lasting democratisation of the State but also its secularisation
from a declared only Hindu State.
Maoists were quick to gather
that conservative elements in political parties are gathering together.
However, these forces would be compelled to come to negotiation with
Maoists as the tide might rise once again. Maoists may have lost some
ground after April Revolution of last year, but they have enough base
to win back that ground. And they know it, for otherwise none is going
to be as hard hit by new developments as Maoists who had laid down their
weapons at a time when the mood in Nepal was upbeat.
The crisis that had been
gathering over Nepal howsoever surreptitiously during past few months
bode ill for the Maoists. And, they had no option but to take a strong
decision to quit the government. Koirala had sadly been missing this
till the Maoists decided to part away with his dispensation. Even if
the country goes to polls on November 22, the appeal of the Maoists
would be powerful, as they have raised more basic issues than merely
electing legislators. So it is in the best interest of the government
and the people to see as to how the Maoists' participation in not just
polls but the political process is won back.
India has come under Nepalese ire, for Koirala has been blamed of toeing
New Delhi's line. Yet, the fact is that the Manmohan Singh Government
is grappling with its own crisis where the Left is miffed by it over
the nuclear issue and it lacks the kind of cohesion that it had until
last year when the Nepal crisis was solved.
India can facilitate in solving a crisis in a neighbouring country like
Nepal, but it can only ill afford to dictate anything to any one. The
move by Maoists has raised fresh questions about the peace process and
stability in Nepal. Will the feudal, pro-monarchy forces and their external
patrons come together for maneuver? Does the political mainstream of
Nepal now belong to these elements or to radical forces?
Is the spirit of the April revolution still lingering in the hearts
of Nepalese people? Are some of the parties engaging in a conspiracy
against the peoples' aspirations and demands? The answers to these and
many other questions will unfold in coming weeks and months.
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