Nepal´s Maoists need to pursue government formation seriously
Surya B. Prasai
June 01, 2008
Last week was a memorable one in the history of Nepal as the Constitutional Assembly through its first sitting declared the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. While the world waited, the US and India, who are considered heavyweight players in Nepali politics and development and do wield strong influence over political happenings as well, immediately endorsed the constructive decision of the Nepali people. This was followed by additional political backing from Britain, China, the European Union and Carter Center (which helped monitor the crucial and successful April 10 elections).
All the countries have expressed, as the French Embassy succinctly notes on behalf of the EU Heads of Mission in Nepal, that the CA members must now work towards drafting a new constitution. In essence it means no one will be happy with the CA sittings unless the members gear themselves towards this sole act. Nepal´s economists are already worried that the CA members salary package is going to cost the state Rs. 6 billion annually, something a poor country like Nepal cannot afford for more than two to three years. Neither is any donor going to pay for it, which is considered a major harbinger in Nepal´s democratic and economic development path, though Nepal grosses US$ 450 million from tourism annually.
The current political situation remains seriously tarnished with NC showing little reluctance to leave the PM´s quarters in Baluwatar unless a new government is formed. Prominent Western and South Asian diplomats have already told Nepali politicians that the winner deserves to eat the cake first – so be it with the Maoists. Yet, PM Koirala seems more emboldened these days, stating his willingness to sacrifice NC policy to forge national consensus building until the new constitution is in place. In fact, most senior Nepali democrats say it would be hard to find anyone to replace the politically seasoned Koirala since he understands everyone´s interests from the ex-King down to the ex-Janjatiyas, all now common Nepali citizens in one Nepali bond.
The Maoists, contrarily believe they have nothing to share either with the NC or UML, and are showing internal preference in tying the friendship with the 13 other parties and the Madhes front which cumulatively have more seats than either NC or UML as single party challengers to the Nepali leadership berth. Thus while the political ball keeps rolling between Naya Bazaar Chowk led by the Maoists and Baluwatar Chowk led by Koirala with the six other parties in tow, there are telltale signs that both teams are now facing severe political disillusionment seeing little nirvana in the Nepali political horizon.
Good chances are the Maoists might not form a government before the CA meet of June 4. While ex-King Gyanendra is being sent a letter to vacate the Narayanhiti royal palace, the International Herald Tribune reports, his astrologers have told him to hang out until July 4 after which his planetary strength will get better. Some of Nepal´s top legal eagles have also questioned the CA assembly polling process whereby four abstained and 26 nominated members were not even there, since their names have not been finalized until now. Additionally, there appears to be a major tussle in the sharing of executive and legislative power with the Maoists wanting both the President and Prime Minister´s positions besides wanting to head the new CA Assembly. Prachanda has already shouted foul at the NC and UML stating they are now clinging on to the seven party bandwagon after losing the election, which in effect is an absolute shenanigan in unreality without them.
These days Prachanda´s Naya Bazaar home, is known to be packed with all sorts of people, but whom he has to deal with patiently and courteously on his way to becoming the next PM. They include top diplomats in town, dissenting politicians (including those who recently lost from NC, RPP and UML), rich businessmen wishing to curry favor from t he future government, ex-diplomats wishing to be appointed envoys namely to Washington, New Delhi, Brussels, Bonn, Tokyo and London, media men wanting advertisement from the Maoist controlled Communications Ministry, and people from various walks of life wanting their problems to be solved at the spur of the moment, just like they used to submit futile petitions to ex-King Gyanendra´s secretariat two years back. Despite the Maoists having the support they need, they still face tough times in the days ahead if they do not cut back on the ultra leftist rhetoric and sort out the political mess within the next two weeks.
Prachanda and Babu Ram ought to be frank with NC and UML leaders on whether they want to work out a political alliance or not, in which case they must choose the remaining 13 parties. They also need to take note of the views of Nepali civil society, the media and the general population in national consensus and confidence building. It is true that the Nepal government formation onus rests on Prachanda´s shoulders now, but he must not loose his cool and attack the so-called big media houses, because through his actions he has to now prove he has the democratic magnanimity to face it all in true democratic spirit. Prachanda must be able to demonstrate that the Maoists are for a politics of national democratic mainstreaming with the participation of all to achieve the new Nepali dream.
At the moment, the Maoists have been coercing the Koirala government to hand over state power in three days, after which they will launch street agitation. But being more clearheaded in their relationship with the NC and UML noting past breakdown of agreements will help the Maoists in the long run to achieve the alliance they desire and to pursue the road to Baluwatar and Singha Durbar more authoritatively and democratically. This includes in the new context, the Nepali bureaucracy and uniformed forces, which all of a sudden have become all powerful in the absence of a legitimate political structure where cabinet decisions are increasingly being ignored by all sides.
All the countries have expressed, as the French Embassy succinctly notes on behalf of the EU Heads of Mission in Nepal, that the CA members must now work towards drafting a new constitution. In essence it means no one will be happy with the CA sittings unless the members gear themselves towards this sole act. Nepal´s economists are already worried that the CA members salary package is going to cost the state Rs. 6 billion annually, something a poor country like Nepal cannot afford for more than two to three years. Neither is any donor going to pay for it, which is considered a major harbinger in Nepal´s democratic and economic development path, though Nepal grosses US$ 450 million from tourism annually.
The current political situation remains seriously tarnished with NC showing little reluctance to leave the PM´s quarters in Baluwatar unless a new government is formed. Prominent Western and South Asian diplomats have already told Nepali politicians that the winner deserves to eat the cake first – so be it with the Maoists. Yet, PM Koirala seems more emboldened these days, stating his willingness to sacrifice NC policy to forge national consensus building until the new constitution is in place. In fact, most senior Nepali democrats say it would be hard to find anyone to replace the politically seasoned Koirala since he understands everyone´s interests from the ex-King down to the ex-Janjatiyas, all now common Nepali citizens in one Nepali bond.
The Maoists, contrarily believe they have nothing to share either with the NC or UML, and are showing internal preference in tying the friendship with the 13 other parties and the Madhes front which cumulatively have more seats than either NC or UML as single party challengers to the Nepali leadership berth. Thus while the political ball keeps rolling between Naya Bazaar Chowk led by the Maoists and Baluwatar Chowk led by Koirala with the six other parties in tow, there are telltale signs that both teams are now facing severe political disillusionment seeing little nirvana in the Nepali political horizon.
Good chances are the Maoists might not form a government before the CA meet of June 4. While ex-King Gyanendra is being sent a letter to vacate the Narayanhiti royal palace, the International Herald Tribune reports, his astrologers have told him to hang out until July 4 after which his planetary strength will get better. Some of Nepal´s top legal eagles have also questioned the CA assembly polling process whereby four abstained and 26 nominated members were not even there, since their names have not been finalized until now. Additionally, there appears to be a major tussle in the sharing of executive and legislative power with the Maoists wanting both the President and Prime Minister´s positions besides wanting to head the new CA Assembly. Prachanda has already shouted foul at the NC and UML stating they are now clinging on to the seven party bandwagon after losing the election, which in effect is an absolute shenanigan in unreality without them.
These days Prachanda´s Naya Bazaar home, is known to be packed with all sorts of people, but whom he has to deal with patiently and courteously on his way to becoming the next PM. They include top diplomats in town, dissenting politicians (including those who recently lost from NC, RPP and UML), rich businessmen wishing to curry favor from t he future government, ex-diplomats wishing to be appointed envoys namely to Washington, New Delhi, Brussels, Bonn, Tokyo and London, media men wanting advertisement from the Maoist controlled Communications Ministry, and people from various walks of life wanting their problems to be solved at the spur of the moment, just like they used to submit futile petitions to ex-King Gyanendra´s secretariat two years back. Despite the Maoists having the support they need, they still face tough times in the days ahead if they do not cut back on the ultra leftist rhetoric and sort out the political mess within the next two weeks.
Prachanda and Babu Ram ought to be frank with NC and UML leaders on whether they want to work out a political alliance or not, in which case they must choose the remaining 13 parties. They also need to take note of the views of Nepali civil society, the media and the general population in national consensus and confidence building. It is true that the Nepal government formation onus rests on Prachanda´s shoulders now, but he must not loose his cool and attack the so-called big media houses, because through his actions he has to now prove he has the democratic magnanimity to face it all in true democratic spirit. Prachanda must be able to demonstrate that the Maoists are for a politics of national democratic mainstreaming with the participation of all to achieve the new Nepali dream.
At the moment, the Maoists have been coercing the Koirala government to hand over state power in three days, after which they will launch street agitation. But being more clearheaded in their relationship with the NC and UML noting past breakdown of agreements will help the Maoists in the long run to achieve the alliance they desire and to pursue the road to Baluwatar and Singha Durbar more authoritatively and democratically. This includes in the new context, the Nepali bureaucracy and uniformed forces, which all of a sudden have become all powerful in the absence of a legitimate political structure where cabinet decisions are increasingly being ignored by all sides.
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