Game Of Stalemate

Recent remarks made by leaders of various political parties indicate that Nepalese will have to wait a long time to see the elected government

http://www.nepalnews.com/spotlight.php

By KESHAB POUDEL

As holding the election for Constituent Assembly is no more a priority for the political parties, it is almost certain that the country will be governed by one or other brands of politicians with no popular mandate.

At a time when an unseen power is not feeling comfortable to deal with popularly, elected government, there is no immediate sign to fulfill wishes of Nepalese people to choose their representatives. Even western countries and United Nations Mission to Nepal (UNMIN), who have already spent millions of dollars in the preparations for election, are helpless in the complex geo-strategic position of Nepal where unseen power count much more than seen power.

With no popular support back home, the unelected government is always unpopular and easy to maneuver. This is a repeat of a situation in Nepal during Panchayat system. For thirty years, Nepal went through an unaccountable system which was very weak whenever there was an issue of accountability.

Despite adjournment of winter session of parliament several times to find settlement, the leaders of major political parties, who have already held two party, three party and seven party meetings, are yet to agree on fixing the new date for Constituent Assembly election. It is almost certain that they will continue to have political stalemate.

Although Nepali Congress and CPN-UML have shown some flexibility on the issues like republic and proportional representative system, Maoists have hardened their position by forwarding other new demands.

“Peace process is more important than the election process. How can our party participate in the election without addressing the issue of adjustment of People’s Liberation Army into the national force and democratization of Nepal Army, compensation for the families of our workers who became martyrs for the cause of people’s war and disclosure of disappeared people ” said Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda. “Along with agreeing to declare Nepal as a republic and accepting proportional representative system, there is a need to address issues of comprehensive peace agreement.”

Even if seven parties agree to fix the date for Constituent Assembly, it is almost certain, if not Maoists then other regional or ethnic groups will muster strength to try and obstruct the process.

Nepali Congress leader and nephew of prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala Dr. Shekhar Koirala, who is said to have inside knowledge regarding Maoists and seven party alliance, too, has become suspicious about the intention of Maoists. “The Maoists are demanding a special poll package because they are afraid of the electorate. Though their demands for fully proportional polls and a republic have been meet, they are unlikely to go to the polls,” Dr. Koirala told The Himalayan Times.

Since there are disorder and chaos everywhere, not only Maoists but any unknown group may emerge to challenge the government. If the recent emerging political trend is any indication, a regional based political force is on the rise to challenge the supremacy of seven parties.

Some members from southern Terai have already declared that there will be no election without addressing their demands. “As long as seven parties do not address Terai’s problems, we will not allow holding the election,” said Hridayesh Tripathy, leader of terai-based Nepal Sadbhavana Party (Anandadevi) - one of the parties of seven party alliance. “If demands of Madhes are not fulfilled, people will declare it a separate state,” threatened Tripathy at the Parliament.

In all public meetings, political parties, civil society members, regional based groups, ethnic communities, project themselves as champions of election for CA. However, they have their own stands and demands which are enough to disturb the election.

Along with an unseen power- which has vital security stake and influence in Nepal - election of Constituent Assembly is not the priority for Nepal’s major political parties at all. In fact, the subject of election for constituent assembly is gradually turning into a mirage.