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New date for elections augurs well for Nepal
APRIL 10 has been set as the date for elections in Nepal for a constituent assembly that will frame a new constitution. This has removed the uncertainty that plagued the Himalayan kingdom for sometime past about its future. The agreement between the government and the radical Maoists on the fresh date for the polls has raised hopes that the country, convulsed by political mayhem in the not too distant past, is now moving in line with the new road map aimed at turning the picturesque land into a nation of political and economic stability. However, the road to the desired goal still appears bumpy because of certain complexities but, broadly, a positive ambience exists following the announcement of the elections schedule.
The balloting for the constituent assembly was scheduled for November 2007, but was called off indefinitely following serious differences between the government and the Maoists, mainly on the issue of the fate of the monarchy in Nepal. Later, wrangling largely disappeared as the parliament passed a proposal asking the government to initiate legal preparations to declare the country a Republic, a key demand of the radicals. The decision by the parliament came as a great relief for the Himalayan nation that was witnessing disconcerting developments stemming from rifts between two main players of country's political spectrum. This obviated to a large extent the situation that had threatened a government Maoist rupture, which would have adversely influenced the political situation.
Earlier, the Maoists, who worked closely with the seven-party political alliance in the anti-king agitation in 2006, had called for a referendum in Nepal to determine the fate of the monarchy. The demand came close on the heels of the scrapping of the national elections when the ultras refused to take part in charging the government with failure to abolish monarchy in the country. The seven-party government was keen to go ahead with the November 22 polls, but the postponement forced by the radicals complicated the political situation, raising uncertainty about the future. The worsening government Maoists ties had not only cast a dark shadow on the political horizon but also seemed to scuttle the prospects of the declared roadmap. Fortunately, things changed for the better subsequently.
Nepal, late last year, again showed signs of trouble as the government and the Maoists seemed to be falling apart. This difference could have led to a situation where the roadmap for a "New Nepal" might have become increasingly uncertain. While the country looked well set for political stability following last year's successful anti-king agitation, the following situation hardly carried anything encouraging. Happily for both the sides, the deterioration of relations was arrested in time.
A remarkable people's victory was accomplished in Nepal in 2006, after a long-drawn agitation demanding restoration of representative authority and curbing of corruption and misuse of powers by the monarchy. King Gyanendra capitulated, and finally agreed to reconvene the elected parliament, which he had dissolved in 2002 with utter disregard for democratic norms.
Kathmandu admirably introduced Westminster type democracy in 1990, ending the more than two centuries old effective monarchy, but was later robbed off this system. However, a section of the politicians was also to blame for the situation, as they failed to live up to peoples expectations because of their unbridled corruption and abuse of power. The King exploited this situation to grab absolute authority for the throne once again, but his repressive rule and lust for power and wealth once again turned the masses against him and, consequently, Nepal reverted to representative rule.
However, the government headed by Prime Minister G.P.Koirala faced two main problems when elected government was restored. First, the monarchy issue, as the government was vacillating on its fate. The seven-party alliance carried out the anti-king movement in collusion with the Maoists, who are totally opposed to the existence of monarchy in any form and want to turn the country a People's Republic. The political parties are largely at variance with the radicals on this issue as all political parties do not see eye to eye on the matter. The monarchy debate poses a big challenge, since some quarters feel that the country could continue with the "twin pillars" of constitutional monarchy and elected government, in line with Britain or Japan. Many others strongly feel that the monarchy concept must be scrapped altogether.
The second main challenge for the new government is the sensitive issue of dealing with the Maoists, who were partners of the seven-party alliance in the anti-king agitation. The two sides agreed to cooperate on fundamental issues like national elections and a new constitution for the country, despite having some differences on certain matters. They signed a landmark peace agreement and the Maoists, who have a large force of cadres and plenty of weapons that were mobilised over the years, also agreed to come into mainstream politics. Later, they joined the seven-party alliance government -- all this came as a big relief for the Nepalese, who had experienced massive political mayhem prior to this healthy situation.
As the Nepalese pin high hopes on the government and the Maoists, they also have bitter memories. The brief spell of democratic rule after 1990 was unfortunately marked by political infighting, rampant corruption and revolving governments, that had largely eroded peoples faith in the quality of leadership. But people became bitter because of the king's arbitrary style of functioning and amassing of wealth in the poverty-ridden nation. Political parties and the Maoists worked together towards political and economic stability. The two sides maintained broad understanding and agreed for elections in November for a constituent parliament to draft a new constitution.
Unfortunately, differences began to crop up as the radicals later quit the government, accusing it of not doing enough against the monarchy. True, the government has, so far, taken several decisions, including curbing the political and financial powers of the king, and is mulling with the idea of nationalising the palaces belonging to the royal family. But the Maoists consider these measures as inadequate, and are opposing tooth and nail the existence of monarchy in any form.
Radicals opposed the elections, saying polls would be meaningless unless monarchy was abolished. The government has reduced the once-powerful king to a lame-duck, but is not very keen to abolish the system all together. The postponement of the crucial polls raised eye-brows about the shape of things in Nepal, but wisdom dawned on both parties as they narrowed down differences. The ultras rejoined the government, and both have now agreed on fresh dates for the elections.
True, the Maoists are not fully happy with the decision of the parliament, as they want abolition of the monarchy altogether while the parliament has stopped short of that decision. The proposal instructed the government for taking measures to turn the country into a Republic, and this definitely met a part of the demand of the ultras, who now seem to be calling the shots. However, King Gyanendra will remain in the throne as the government Maoist deal will be put into effect in the first session of the constituent assembly.
So far, things look positive, but complexities also lie ahead as the government and the ultras may still fall apart on several issues. Prime Minister Koirala has rejected a proposal from radical supremo Pushpa Kumar Dayal, popularly known as Prachanda, to induct his former guerrillas in the army. The government decision not to accept the Maoist army in the Nepal army has clearly infuriated the radicals, and this may lead to a souring of the ties that have been retrieved from recent rifts. All parties concerned in Nepal are well advised to avoid issues that are potentially dangerous, because the country is well poised for the desired polls and can ill afford any derailment at this stage. Political and economic stability are imperative for a nation that has suffered badly on both fronts in the near past.
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