Despite political tussle, Nepal Government expected soon
Surya B. Prasai
June 15, 2008
According to various NC media sources close to Baluwatar, the first President of Nepal could be current Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, whose name though earlier rejected, is now considered highly favorable given the revised selection criteria and the Maoists unofficial acceptance. However, according to Maoist Chairman Prachanda, in his latest media rebuttal, no such agreement has been reached, tacit or implied, neither with NC nor UML to elect Koirala as the President. Prachanda stated, the name of Koirala had not even cropped up for endorsement. Rather, the Maoist strongman appeared to be in favor of having someone from the Terai party or the Madhes for the symbolic job. On the other hand, the NC has now decided to stick with the original seven point demand which is considered a definite counter to Prachanda's statement.
Still, the various parties ´aye´ of whichever candidate means it has be officially ratified by the CPN-M central leadership to materialize as the largest party in the CA. Earlier the Maoists and some Leftists appeared to be favor of Ram Raja Prasad Singh an independent leftist pro-republican voice since the early 1980s, whose name cropped up after Prachanda proposed him to be the only acceptable candidate, though Singh´s name is not considered the ideal choice by all the political leaders. Nevertheless, Prachanda will be making a big sacrifice for the sake of national consensus building if he accepts Koirala's name.
Even after the new President´s name is formally endorsed, it still leaves a big question mark unanswered as to which among the 25 political parties in the Constituent Assembly will join the next government which will have to be ratified through a simple majority, though it still will have to follow national consensus stressing political unity. It is clear Prime Minister Koirala is still in favor of respecting the CA Polls results and adhering to the people´s mandate, which means according higher priority to those parties that won the largest number of votes, namely the Maoists, NC and UML, followed by the Terai parties. In a meeting with Dominique Dreye, the Swiss envoy to Nepal, Koirala hinted that the next government could be formed within the next three days, something that Prachanda had also earlier stated. But will it happen as anticipated? This is the big question that is surrounding Kathmandu media gossip these days.
Nonetheless, given the urgency for a new democratic government, it is quite likely this week will see Baluwatar corridors ho-humming once again with a lot activities and new names being proposed to the cabinet for ministerial appointments. It is anticipated that the New Nepal government will be formed through a democratic process which will help lessen future quibbling on portfolio division.
In another interesting twist to the national political landscape, C.P. Mainali, General Secretary of CPN (Marxist Leninist) after his meeting with Koirala on Friday, felt that NC as the former largest political party is now ready to join hands with the Maoists and UML on a democratic coalition front, though he did not divulge on its inner intricacies and how it would come about given that the Terai parties are also interested in having a big stake. Mainali told media, it is likely the Maoists will head the PM led cabinet, while the UML will head the CA with NC having the President´s post.
A new democratic Nepal Government is also much desired by the Nepali people and various donors who fund valuable bilateral and multilateral assistance projects in the country and are waiting for the official green signal to move ahead with many tied-down commitments and plans to sustain Nepali democracy and economic growth. What amazes the global fourth estate is the quick transformation of Nepal from monarchy to a full fledged federal democratic republic, the smoothness with which it all happened.
Of interest to various envoys posted in Kathmandu is CPN-M´s number two, Dr. Babu Ram Bhattarai´s recently stated media view that the Nepali peace process must continue for at least another two or three months, or until the two armies integration issue is resolved, hopefully with UNMIN's participation. NA´s Chief R. M. Katwal has already stated in clear terms that future NA recruitment will remain routine, professional and non-biased politically, which means the Maoists who wish to join NA will have to go through the same procedures as other recruits, implying in the end, that NA does not wish to accept indoctrinated ex-militia. It also implies that NA wants to maintain its current spirit of being an apolitical disciplined force and a valuable contributor to UN global peace keeping. However to get the Maoists and the NA policy makers together on one discussion plane, and to integrate the currently stored arms and the two 'armies' in one form, Koirala must also think inclusively of asking Ian Martin and the UNMIN team to assist him, despite some past objections raised in the Nepali media and the UN in New York in giving UNMIN too ´pro-active´ responsibilities. However, UNMIN remains understaffed at the moment, due to the earlier July 23 cut off date, after which it was expected Mr. Martin would continue remaining back in Kathmandu with some of his expatriate staff working more closely as part of the regular UN structure.
Besides, the Nepali peace process must be concluded soon with the ushering of a new Nepal Government, and the UN´s participation might still be required until it finally happens, though Nepali politicians are shying away from making official statements in support of it. At least Nepali civil society has been more forthcoming in recent days making this quest known via the media. It is an important point to underscore, namely, the need to match the national peace dividend that must accrue with the active participation of the 25 political parties, civil society, the disciplined forces and Nepali media.
Still, the various parties ´aye´ of whichever candidate means it has be officially ratified by the CPN-M central leadership to materialize as the largest party in the CA. Earlier the Maoists and some Leftists appeared to be favor of Ram Raja Prasad Singh an independent leftist pro-republican voice since the early 1980s, whose name cropped up after Prachanda proposed him to be the only acceptable candidate, though Singh´s name is not considered the ideal choice by all the political leaders. Nevertheless, Prachanda will be making a big sacrifice for the sake of national consensus building if he accepts Koirala's name.
Even after the new President´s name is formally endorsed, it still leaves a big question mark unanswered as to which among the 25 political parties in the Constituent Assembly will join the next government which will have to be ratified through a simple majority, though it still will have to follow national consensus stressing political unity. It is clear Prime Minister Koirala is still in favor of respecting the CA Polls results and adhering to the people´s mandate, which means according higher priority to those parties that won the largest number of votes, namely the Maoists, NC and UML, followed by the Terai parties. In a meeting with Dominique Dreye, the Swiss envoy to Nepal, Koirala hinted that the next government could be formed within the next three days, something that Prachanda had also earlier stated. But will it happen as anticipated? This is the big question that is surrounding Kathmandu media gossip these days.
Nonetheless, given the urgency for a new democratic government, it is quite likely this week will see Baluwatar corridors ho-humming once again with a lot activities and new names being proposed to the cabinet for ministerial appointments. It is anticipated that the New Nepal government will be formed through a democratic process which will help lessen future quibbling on portfolio division.
In another interesting twist to the national political landscape, C.P. Mainali, General Secretary of CPN (Marxist Leninist) after his meeting with Koirala on Friday, felt that NC as the former largest political party is now ready to join hands with the Maoists and UML on a democratic coalition front, though he did not divulge on its inner intricacies and how it would come about given that the Terai parties are also interested in having a big stake. Mainali told media, it is likely the Maoists will head the PM led cabinet, while the UML will head the CA with NC having the President´s post.
A new democratic Nepal Government is also much desired by the Nepali people and various donors who fund valuable bilateral and multilateral assistance projects in the country and are waiting for the official green signal to move ahead with many tied-down commitments and plans to sustain Nepali democracy and economic growth. What amazes the global fourth estate is the quick transformation of Nepal from monarchy to a full fledged federal democratic republic, the smoothness with which it all happened.
Of interest to various envoys posted in Kathmandu is CPN-M´s number two, Dr. Babu Ram Bhattarai´s recently stated media view that the Nepali peace process must continue for at least another two or three months, or until the two armies integration issue is resolved, hopefully with UNMIN's participation. NA´s Chief R. M. Katwal has already stated in clear terms that future NA recruitment will remain routine, professional and non-biased politically, which means the Maoists who wish to join NA will have to go through the same procedures as other recruits, implying in the end, that NA does not wish to accept indoctrinated ex-militia. It also implies that NA wants to maintain its current spirit of being an apolitical disciplined force and a valuable contributor to UN global peace keeping. However to get the Maoists and the NA policy makers together on one discussion plane, and to integrate the currently stored arms and the two 'armies' in one form, Koirala must also think inclusively of asking Ian Martin and the UNMIN team to assist him, despite some past objections raised in the Nepali media and the UN in New York in giving UNMIN too ´pro-active´ responsibilities. However, UNMIN remains understaffed at the moment, due to the earlier July 23 cut off date, after which it was expected Mr. Martin would continue remaining back in Kathmandu with some of his expatriate staff working more closely as part of the regular UN structure.
Besides, the Nepali peace process must be concluded soon with the ushering of a new Nepal Government, and the UN´s participation might still be required until it finally happens, though Nepali politicians are shying away from making official statements in support of it. At least Nepali civil society has been more forthcoming in recent days making this quest known via the media. It is an important point to underscore, namely, the need to match the national peace dividend that must accrue with the active participation of the 25 political parties, civil society, the disciplined forces and Nepali media.