Nationalist card

The Kathmandu Post Editorial of December 7 2007

http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=130445

It is mentioned in the Interim Constitution that the government would hold elections to the constituent assembly within Mangshir 2064 (before December 15, 2007). If the parties in the government and the Maoists fail to amend the Constitution with a two-thirds majority within the next nine days, the country will be trapped in a constitutional crisis. Though constitutional experts have been claiming that the Constitution has been violated numerous times by the government and the Maoists, failure to amend the election date will openly declare the failure of the Constitution. That might also herald the failure of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed between the government and the erstwhile rebels, the Maoists. In such a situation, the Nepali Congress could join hands with other democratic forces to oust the Maoists from the government with the help of the Nepal Army. In order to prevent the NC from doing so, the Maoists have thrown the nationalist card. The nationalist card has always been very effective in Nepali politics, especially among royalists and the elite.

It is no surprise that the Maoists have taken refuge in nationalist slogans as they were left with no option but to prove their popular support through the elections. And they know that they will lose miserably if the polls take place soon. However, it is unfortunate that Nepal's national army seems to have fallen into a trap set by the Maoists, monarchists and the regressive elite. Recently, Maoist leader Prachanda claimed that he had had discussions with army generals about the country's situation. The Nepal Army that was so prompt to oppose Prachanda when he said that the NA was a bunch of rapists and murderers has kept quiet on this issue. The conspicuous silence provides space to believe that something is cooking between the Maoists and the Nepal Army.

The question here is this: Is Nepal really on the brink of losing its national identity? If we were convinced by the Maoists and other radical nationalists, we would not be raising this question. Rather, we would be going all out in any capacity to defend our nation. But that is not the situation. We strongly believe that the nationalist card thrown now is only a ploy to defeat democracy, as Musharraf did in Pakistan and as the generals are doing in Bangladesh. It is a conspiracy hatched by both the monarchists and the Maoists who are destined to get sidelined if the elections were to take place and the people get a chance to speak their minds freely and fearlessly. The Nepal Army should understand that the Maoists are trying to infiltrate it. The Maoists know that except for the people's vote and the NA's firepower, nothing can stop them from taking over. Let us all be realistic and help the Maoists get rid of their unattainable and unsustainable aspiration of establishing a one-party communist republic.

Posted on: 2007-12-06 18:28:38 (Server Time)