Nepal in Transitional Phase
By Afshain Afzal
Nepal is going to elect its new Prime Minister on July 21, 2010. Interestingly, in the matter of just two years, Nepal would be electing its forth Prime Minister. Girija Prasad Koirala became the first Prime Minister when Nepal emerged as republic two years back in 2008. He was followed by Maoists’ Party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Madhav Kumar Nepal respectively. In fact, after the resignation of Nepalese Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal on June 30 this year, the Maoists were unable to form a new government due to lack of majority. Nepalese people are peace loving and they have no problem in governing their country in a democratic way or otherwise but due to the interference of other countries in the internal affair of Nepal; usually an un-accommodative atmosphere is created. India, Britain and US are major players in derailing Katmandu from the path of prosperity of political maturity. In the forthcoming elections, major contenders are going to be Chairman Pushpa Kamal of Unified Maoists, Ram Chandra of Nepali Congress and Chairman Jhal Nath of Unified Marxist Leninist (UML). President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav has taken a wise decision for holding the elections but how long this will continue. The people of Nepal must understand that although it is not a bad start but till the time they are not united as one nation, outside interference would not allow them to form a strong government.
There are certain elements who, on the instigation of India are blaming Maoists for the political instability in the country. Attempt are being made to intentionally give Maoist a tuff time and keep them divided between spy masters across the border and the King or President, what ever the case may be. If we recall, Nepal’s first Maoist government that came to power in 2008 but failed due to too much interference from across to dismantle the armed factions of former guerrillas. Resultantly, the political machinery ceased after a period of few months. The communist-led government also failed stay in power more than 13 months. The period includes blockade of Nepalese parliament for over five months. The period of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal was apparently better but due to lack of majority in the parliament his government was not allowed to function. It is pertinent to mention here that the Maoists are the majority party, followed by Nepali Congress (NC). If both these parties along with other groups including Terai parties accepts the forthcoming elections results and join hands to allow the new government to complete its tenure, Nepal’s tomorrow would be different. One wonders, of course, there are cases of corruption, deterioration of law and order situation and food crisis in certain areas of Nepal but things always improve as the time passes. In the case of Nepali politics, there is a lot of hope if political process is allowed to continue. In case India and the western countries keep their hands off Katmandu and cease their malicious campaign against the majority, things would definitely come in order. It is not the correct forum to discuss pro and cons of dismantling the former guerilla at this juncture as for the survival of democracy, national harmony bears prime importance. Indeed, Nepalese politicians would get a lot of time to settle such sensitive issue at a latter stage.
At the moment, there is no guarantee that the power struggle will not erupt once more but one must accept the fact that there are chances that Nepalese politics is heading towards maturity. The Maoists party has warned India not to interfere in the Nepalese internal affairs but such thig is less likely to happen. New Delhi is playing its own game to keep Nepal a politically week country so that the Maoists’ concentration is divided between Nepal and India. No doubt, Maoists are the major challenge to Indian internal security and expansion designs. Ironically, New Delhi is secretly funding both certain Maoists and NC leaders so as to win them to its side but, of course, India is not loyal to Maoists or any other party. For the Maoists to bag at least 275-mark it requires cooperation from other parties. This would only be possible if India stops interfering in the make and break in the Nepalese politics. In a recent statement Maoist leaders Janadisha rightly said “India intensifies wheeling-dealing to make Poudel Prime Minister” but Maoists and NC leaders should always bear this thing in mind that cooperation between Maoists and NC is vital for them to form stable government in Katmandu. It is high time that whosoever is the next Prime Minister, he should work for national cohesion and stop allowing countries like India to rule Nepal by proxy leaders.
