On January 8, a High Level Political Mechanism was constituted by the chairs of three main political parties – the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal – Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML).
Since it was a meeting that involved Girija Prasad Koirala, 86, it took place at his residence [because he is fragile and does not like travelling much]. And, the octogenarian leader showed he is still the most important man in Nepali politics by becoming the co-ordinator of the mechanism that, for the sake of all of us, aims to conclude the peace process, write constitution and remove political deadlocks.
Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda and UML chairman Jhala Nath Khanal are the members, at least for now and, don’t be surprised, they look at Koirala as the savior for their ‘intra-party political supremacy’.
Koirala is undisputed in his party (that is unless he decides to promote his daughter); the towering figure in Nepali politics who seems to run only by his own will.
Prachanda’s supremacy in Maoists is threatened: Dr Baburam Bhattarai, who seems to garnish more political ‘is-good’ impression, is favored by many for his calmness (over Prachanda’s aggression / comical image).
Prachanda’s fear for losing his supremacy was seen in his leaked audio where he accused India of trying to promote Bhattarai as the next Prime Minister and the Maoist Central Committee’s decision that Prachanda would led the government if they join in.
Khanal defeated KP Sharma Oli in the election of chairman but the two are involved in an intra-party conflict so fiercely that the UML looks like in the verge of breakdown. Apart from that, if Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal succeeds, he would be credited for everything – and that will not do much good for Khanal as Nepal, a soft man without lofty ambitions, could
prefer Oli.
In such scenario, both Prachanda and Khanal need to do something grand on which they can firmly stand – at least within the party. High Level Political Mechanism is a part of that [This also explains why both Bhattarai and Oli questioned on the mechanism].
A little bit of bait for Koirala too: the government has decided to nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize and his chances at becoming the first Nepali to be honored with a Nobel Prize will increase greatly if he could get credit of the peace process.
Political games apart, the High Level Political Mechanism could prove vital and good for Nepal. I am not as worried as Oli or Bhattarai, for I do not actually care on the questions they arose if the mechanism could complete its objectives – which is the pressing need of the time.
As rarity almost on political front that I am optimistic [unlike a lot other friends] that despite whatsoever is going on, a couple of months here and there, we are going to conclude the peace process and promulgate the new constitution. And, of course, if the top three leaders could sit together under a mechanism, it’s obviously a very good sign.
