A rarity in Nepali politics, the political landscape has changed irrevocably with the Nepal’s Maoists crowned their transition from underground insurgency to open politics with a convincing victory in 10 April 2008 constituent assembly (CA) elections.The CA nearly unanimously ended the monarchy at its first sitting and gave birth to the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal.Building a lasting peace and delivering the change voters called for requires all parties to accept the new situation and work under the Maoist led Government, to deal with the issues like security and reestablishment of law and order.
But the main irony with the present day Nepal is that the old parties have not woken up to the new realities. They are still not able to understand that the popular mandate was not for a one-party minority administration but for cooperation on a path for peace and change.The Maoist leadership has also not made full use of the opportunity to lever its position of strength internally and decisively reject the politics of violence and coercion, they are still facing internal debates and external pressures.But to win trust of the common Nepalis they need to start with a demonstrated commitment to the rule of law and an end to the parellel policing functions of the Young Communist League.
On the security front the continuing existence of two standing armies is very much destabilising.There are widespread and sensible concerns over a Maoist government commanding both the Nepal Army (NA) and its own forces. Apart from the security the law and order also demands great concern.
The last but not the least , the final irony of the republican transition is that the ex-King Gyanendra’s dignified exit suggested that he understood the popular mood better than the old parties,which indicates that the party leaders have little respect for the supposed sovereignty of the CA , which bodes ill for the legitimacy of the constitution-writing process.
Lets hope that each and every person of the beautiful Himalayan Kingdom is able to enjoy a life full of freedom in the upcoming future.
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2 comments:
The writer has put it in right perspective. The Himalayan state faces a challenge like any other budding democracy. But looking at the lust of the Moists for power at the present scenario it is clear that people's mandate has not been respected. The major threat now appears in the form of constant friction between the Koirala generation and the Prachand followers.
Gud piece man. Keep on posting.
The shift of monarchy into Democracy in Nepal in good signal for India. MEanwhile, the Maoists may place hurdle in realisation of true demotratic institutions like idependent judiciary, free press etc. Am worried about it.
Very good analytical article.
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