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Nepal elections: A great event
NEPAL is set for the landmark elections on April 10, with all eyes set on the voting that comes following a phase of uncertainty and instability, promising a new chapter for the nation. Contending parties have great stakes in the polls, and the balloting has special significance -- rather than just producing victors and vanished. The election atmosphere has already been marred by an acrimonious climate, and violence has raised fears. However, just ahead of the voting, things by and large still look conducive for a credible election. The electioneering has reached a crescendo, with all keeping their fingers crossed about the shape of things to come.
The Himalayan nation elects a constituent assembly that will frame a new constitution. The elections were scheduled for November last, but were called off because of growing differences between the seven-party alliance government and the ultra-leftist Maoists. Later, the agreement between the government and the radicals on the fresh election date raised hope that the country, convulsed by political mayhem in the not too distant past, was now moving in line with the new "road map" aimed at turning the picturesque land into a nation of political and economic stability.
The balloting was postponed indefinitely following serious rifts, mainly on the issue of monarchy in Nepal. 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, as the country was witnessing disconcerting developments stemming from disputes between two main players of the political spectrum. This obviated to a large extent the situation that had threatened a total government-Maoist rupture, which could scupper the polls. Now, as the battle lines are drawn for the polls, new complexities are coming to the fore.
While ascendancy in the country's political map is a major anxiety for the major stakeholders in the polls, the ultimate fate of the monarchy, now only a ceremonial institution, is also very much a factor in the entire scenario. 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, charging the government with failure to abolish the royal system which, in any, case was reduced to a lame duck level.
A remarkable people's victory was accomplished in Nepal in 2006, when a long-drawn agitation demanding restoration of representative authority and curbing of corruption and misuse of powers by the monarchy was a success. King Gyanendra capitulated and, finally, agreed to reconvene the elected parliament, which he had dissolved in 2002 in utter disregard to democratic norms.
Kathmandu introduced Westminster type democracy in 1990, ending the more than two centuries old effective monarchy, but was later robbed off this system. However, some politicians was also to blame for the situation, as they failed to live up to the people's expectations because of their unbridled corruption and abuse of power. King Gyanendra exploited this situation to grab absolute authority for the throne once again, but his repression and lust for power and wealth turned the masses against him and, consequently, Nepal reverted to representative rule.
But, the government headed by Prime Minister G.P.Koirala faced two main problems. First, the monarchy issue, as the government was vacillating about 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 into 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 can continue with the "twin pillars" of constitutional monarchy and elected government, in line with Britain or Thailand. Maoists and many others strongly feel that the monarchy must be scrapped altogether.
Another main challenge for the 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 big differences on approaches on certain matters. They signed a landmark peace agreement, and the Maoists, who have a large force of cadres and weapons that were mobilised over the years, also agreed to come into mainstream politics. Later, they joined the seven-party alliance government pledging broad cooperation.
Unfortunately, differences cropped up as the radicals later quit the government, accusing the government 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 existence of the monarchy in any form.
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 to take measures to turn the country into a Republic. However, King Gyanendra will remain on the throne as the government-Maoist deal is put into effect in the first session of the constituent assembly.
Broadly, matters appear largely positive, but some issues are getting complicated as the polls date draws nearer. Prime Minister G.P.Koirala has rejected a proposal from radical supremo Pushpa Kumar Dayal, popularly known as "Prachanda," to induct his former guerrillas into the army. The government decision not to accept the Maoist army in the Nepal army has clearly infuriated the radicals, and this is souring the ties between the two sides.
The government might have given some indication about incorporating the Maoists cadres in the 90,000 strong army, and this prompted Ananta, the deputy chief of the People's Liberation Army, the official name of the Maoist force, to say that that the integration of their cadres would take place. But no confirmation of this was available from the government.
On the other side, supporters of the throne are not sitting idle. Nepal's army has had centuries-old links with the royal family, and swore personal loyalty to the monarch until the caretaker government stripped the king of his position as the head of the army in May, 2006. Evidently, the monarchy is on the defensive with most powers curbed, unwilling to fully give in, and may be pulling the strings from behind the curtain.
The electioneering is witnessing increasing violence, and several major incidents took place involving the Nepali Congress, the main party of premier Koirala on one hand and the leftists -- the Maoists and the Communist Party led by Madhav Kumar Nepal -- on the other. Maoist leader Prachanda has warned that his supporters would not accept election results if marred by "irregularities." Obviously, he is not likely to reconcile with the outcome of polls if it goes against him. This, obviously, poses a potential threat to the coming voting, while several other problems may cause complications in the post-election period.
All said and done, the April 10 elections are crucially important for the country, which is longing for these polls with great interest, notwithstanding the fact that people are not fully unaware of the likely problems. All parties involved need to demonstrate sagacity and acumen so that the much-cherished elections in Nepal can serve the purpose of a new era of political and economic stability in the poverty-ridden nation that suffered enormously in both areas in recent times.
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