Politics Talks

I admit defeats

I admit defeats! First, I admit the defeat of hope of an average Nepali in the hands of the politicians whom I had the misunderstanding of having some qualities of the statesman.

By extending the term of the Constituent Assembly (CA) by one year, they proved true those who liked to call them the corrupt-minded and selfish. I’m sure many of the 601 CA members did not like the extension (compared to constitution) but they are more helpless than us.

They had to follow what their party/top leaders say and keep quiet. I can at least vent out.

I had always believed that no matter what the leaders say or do, they will somehow come out united to promulgate the new constitution within the deadline. For this side of the story, I debated at tea-shops/gatherings with some of the most pessimists; I wrote blog entries and I believed it would happen despite all odds.

But I am proved wrong. My belief based on hope was just a passing thought. My hope was just an arrow swishing through the dark unknown of its destination.

And, the the most importantly success in the part of the leaders (in keeping us foolish) is that they made us pray for the extension (forgetting that the mandate we gave them was for promulgation of constitution by May 28, 2010). Otherwise, they made us the believe, the country will go into deepest trouble possible.

Defeat is hard to digest; and to admit. The parties (I don’t know if they could be called political) could not even compromise (defeat is a long way ahead); not even for the betterment of the country and decided despite knowing the possibility of dirty games from extremists that the liquidity of the situation should continue rather than consolidated.

And, as I – as an average Nepali who provided mandate for the leaders to write constitution in two years – feel betrayed with the defeat, I sat to analyze where I was wrong.

The first wrong thing I thought was: Maoists are different. They proved not to be. They fought for power (not for people) as all other parties; were divided internally on personal egos and double-tongued.

The second wrong thing I thought was: the leaders learnt lessons after the Maoists’ War and the Royal Takeover that extremism can put the country in danger. They however did not. The April Uprising that people (not the parties) staged was not enough for them.

The third wrong thought I had: belief in magic. Yes, the country had never suffered much. Whenever it looked like the country going into a real danger of being a failed state, there was some magical turn that put the nation back on the track (the end of Maoists’ conflict and the end of Royal Regime).

I still believe in magic. I still believe that the leaders will do something. And, I still believe there will not be much problem. All this beliefs are there because I have no other options to believe on positively.

And, although I admit the defeat; there is no winner. I am defeated; all Nepalis are dejected; nation is beaten and the all those leaders, they too have lost. The winner: no one.

May 29, 2010 by Politics Talks Sadly!

(Enough is enough) End strike.

Our vote is for peace.

[UPDATE: At 9:30 p.m. on Friday, Maoist withdrew the general strike.]

So many wars, settling scores
Bringing us promises, leaving us poor
I heard them say, love is the way
Love is the answer, that’s what they say,
But look how they treat us, make us believers
We fight their battles, then they deceive us
Try to control us, they couldn’t hold us
Cause we just move forward like Buffalo Soldiers
– Waving Flag by K’naan

On Friday, the indefinite general strike called by the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) entered the sixth day – without indicating that it’s going to do any good for anyone. The increasing incidences of minor clashes, however, are clear indication that a few more days of it may result in violence – the last thing that Nepalis want.

It’s time for main political parties to make compromise because this is not a ‘win-win’ situation but rather a ‘lose-lose’ situation with the Nepal – the country – and Nepalis – the people – are set to become the biggest losers.

Watching the Maoists’ YCL cadres carrying iron-rods or locals at Budanilkantha carrying Khukuris does not feel good in the hard time when for an average Nepali, their village/city is becoming a jail-like environment due to strike.

CPN-UML/Nepali Congress

We know this is the biggest time for you to ‘bring the Maoists on/below their real ground as their strike seemed to have no popular participation’.

But, for the country, the strike/indecisive situation is fast becoming a quicksand. So please, compromise – begin thinking that the Maoist is the biggest political force and the one that received votes of more Nepalis than any other party.

MAOIST

Success and failure travel together. Withdrawing a strike does not mean you failed – rather it will mean that you care for the country. If an agreement can be reached with the parties by withdrawing the strike first, please show that mercy to the country/people.

Don’t continue difference over a ‘bird first or egg’ issue.

The path to confrontations leads only to more confrontations, to achieve peace, all have to turn back to take a different path.

Enough is enough. End strike.

May 7, 2010 by Politics Talks Sadly!

The April Uprising

From April 5 to 24, we mark one of the greatest displays of people’s power. The Jana Andolan II or the April Uprising of 2006 was a landmark people’s movement that ended monarchy and Maoists’ People’s War establishing a more reformed democracy.

But more than that, it was a splendid example of what people of Nepal are capable of. Nobody counted, but estimated 500,000 people took on streets at the peak of the uprising – a huge number of those who are not otherwise interested in political activities.

I salute all those people for there bravery!

Photo from ekantipur.com

* * *

Mass is amazing. You never know what motivates them.

During April Uprising, they were motivated and it was their wishes with which political parties had not other options but to go along. People directed the course of movement and led it.

For me, it was two things that motivated them. First, it was a fight for democracy. Second, the success of the Uprising also meant the end of Maoist violence that killed 13,000 Nepalis.

* * *

Who did not participate in the Uprising. I remember all women of Kaushaltar rallying – wow! that was truly an amazing thing to behold. It was the enthusiasm of people who participated in the movement that made it a success.

Police and Army had not other options. They could not have shot at thousands of people.

Photo from ekantipur.com

* * *

Off course, majority of the people have gone into the shadows now.

Political leaders are on the top and all those in shadows believe, no matter what media says, the leaders will transform the country into a peaceful democratic nation.

We await the future.

But if people had directed the course of history in April in 2006, they can do it in any month of any year! And when people arise, all power will have to surrender!

April 8, 2010 by Politics Talks Remembrances

Maoists, lead now

When Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda visited Girija Prasad Koirala at a hospital on March 17, Koirala told him to shoulder the big responsibility of the peace process.

Probably Koirala, who passed away three days later, foresaw his demise and wanted leaders to know the importance of peace process and the need for unity [his last audible words were, according to his daughter Sujata Koirala, ‘national consensus.’]

The grandfather of Nepali politics is no more. The peace-broker is gone.

And, now, it’s time for the Maoists to fill in the role he was playing.


Why Maoists (or why not any other party or leader)? There are a few reasons.

Koirala did not tell any other leader to shoulder the responsibility of the peace process. Why? Because he knew nobody is capable. His own Nepali Congress is left with managers or leaders [but no statesman]. CPN-UML is seriously lacking the good leader. And, the two parties are more likely to be involved in internal scuffle rather than working united for the nation.

Even Maoists are not the best right now; but then there are leaders who could become the statesmen, and they lead the largest party which also happens to be a major player of the peace process.

Dr. Baburam Bhattarai said it was mistake in their part for not electing him the first President of Nepal. It would of course had been a fitting responsibility for Koirala, but Maoists played childish failing to understand that the politics is the game of balance rather than domination.

It looks like now they have understood it [unless they translate Koirala’s shouldering responsibility statement into leading the government meaning]. It’s up to Maoists now to try for national consensus and the successful conclusion of the peace process.

If Bhattarai can write that ‘we bowed our heads in reverence to GPK’ for his statement before the CA Elections [“I know my party is going to lose the elections and you people will win. But I will be happy if the elections are held in a peaceful and democratic manner.”]; he and his party should also think that ‘they should be happy if the peace process comes to a successful conclusion’.

For Maoists, it’s an opportunity to lead the nation. For Maoists leaders, it’s an opportunity to transfer themselves into the statesmen.

Maoists, lead now.

March 21, 2010 by Politics Talks

RIP, Axis of Nepali Politics

Nepal has lost its most criticized and most praised political personality.

Girija Prasad Koirala (1925-2010) passed away on Saturday afternoon, at 12:10 p.m. on March 20, after being the axis of Nepali politics for at least last two-decades.

He led four of 18 governments since the establishment of democracy in 1990 through a popular movement. He was one of the leading forces then but soon after emerged as the most powerful single political personality.

He was stubborn to his beliefs and thoughts, yet the power to persuade, or to enforce, them.  That one quality, along with his long contribution and commitment to democracy, put him to a height that rarely any personality could achieve.

Early in his life, he fought for the cause of laborers and began his political career which was eminent given that his father was on exile for raising voices against autocratic Rana regime and his both bothers being into politics.

He was also involved in looting the jewelry and gold from bank to fund the armed movement against Panchayat System and led the hijacking of an airplane in domestic flight in 1973.

When he became the prime minister for the first time in 1991, he continued a family legacy which saw two of his brothers led the nation. The first taint on his career emerged when he dissolved the parliament after three years. The general election that followed failed to give any party the majority.

He led the minority government in 1998 and again Nepali Congress government in 2000 forcing party’s own PM Krishna Prasad Bhattarai to resign. During his third tenure, the Royal Massacre happened.

Following the April Uprising in 2006, he sworn in for the fourth term which saw him sign one of the most important documents in Nepal’s political history – the peace accord with the Maoists. After abolishment of monarchy, he became the acting head of the state until the election of the first president.

Until the every eve of his life, Koirala was a very vocal ‘anti-communist’. But towards the end of his life, he was soft as he agreed to sign a 12-point agreement with Maoists and worked together with communist forces for the cause of democracy.

At the time of his demise, he was leading the political activities as the co-ordinator of the High Level Political Mechanism.

* * *

Though he always kept his private life confined within the boundary of his family members, he seemed to be an emotional family man.

His conjugal life, with a widow whom he married, lasted only 16 years, from 1952 to 1978.

And, he was also involved in a corruption scandal – that involved benefits for his daughter Sujata Koirala whom, after she returned and took a political career, he continued promoting in party ranks and government despite wide-spread criticism. It was for more love for the daughter than anything else.

* * *

I was not a particular fan of Girija Prasad Koirala despite being an admirer of his brother B P Koirala, both for his literature and political thoughts. In fact, many put me as the GPK-critic for I always thought him of being a crooked politician.

I represent a family that was led by a person who stood, and failed, against Koirala after the establishment of democracy. My distant uncle, Jaganath Acharya, resigned from his cabinet following a dispute with Koirala, who seemed to be against the much needed land reforms. Acharya led the force of 36 MPs against Koirala which forced him to dissolve the parliament.

Apart from that for me he was too stubborn to be a political leader (though I admit that this characteristic proved beneficial for the country later on) and was too focused on his personal cause than that of nation and party.

But 2006 changed my views on him. I wasn’t a big fan but an admirer; I disliked a few of things he did afterwards but never went vocal, even at teashop gossips, against him for I saw him the only person capable of keeping the democratic political forces tied for the nation.

As he used to say that ‘the peace process the last struggle of his life’ and jokingly that he would haunt if it’s not completed before his death, I believe he passed away a little early.

Without the axis, the political forces are in a danger of being divided and weak; and that in lack of the father-like figures, the political leaders are more likely to fight for wrong causes.

Let’s hope his last wishes of concluding peace process will be completed in time and that the political forces will join hands for the good cause for which he left responsibility to them.

With his demise, Koirala is no longer a Nepali Congress leader; he is no matter which political belief we follow, is the national hero!

May his soul rest in peace!

March 20, 2010 by Politics Talks Remembrances Sadly!

Someday, we will find a way

These days I am almost optimistic about Nepal’s political future. True, because I believe in what the world should call ‘the Nepali magic’: when it looks like we are going to worse, something good happens and we move towards better.

Wasn’t it true during the 1990 Revolution? Everybody believed the then King Birendra bowed down too early, but it was exactly at the time when the Jana Andolan (the Popular Movement) was looking to go bloody.

It was also true for the Maoist Conflict. It took almost 14,000 lives but then after 10 years of the beginning, the so-called People’s War came to an end exactly at the time when Nepali started getting frustrated with daily news of violence.

So with monarchy! With soft-heart Birendra, monarchy was almost okay but after the Royal Massacre that killed all the royals except a few, Gynendra did not appeal much of the people. Yet he decided to become powerful playing on people’s frustrations over political parties. And, with army censoring media; leaders house-arrested, it looked like a glum future – at least half-a-dozen years.

But when other things looked like not working, the people rose. The Jana Andolan II or April Uprising was built on two things: the hope of peace (since Maoist tied with other political parties and signed a deal) and democracy!

It too was successful without much blood!

Right now, darkness looks like descending. May 28, 2010 is the deadline for the Constituent Assembly (CA) to promulgate the new constitution or to die. The Interim Constitution is silent about CA’s extension and at least legal experts believe CA can not be extended in a constitutional way (off course, the CA can do it politically).

President Dr Ram Baran Yadav is either urging the parties to complete constitution writing in time or has grown ambitious about ruling. His advisors, and he himself, is saying he would be the only man in power standing if the CA fails.

If that happens, we will have a constitutional deadlock and may be an autocratic ruler who also happens to be the supreme commander of the Nepal Army (and has a soft corner from among the army men for saving their chief from falling ‘constitutional acting’ against the Maoist government decision).

What then?

As an optimistic citizen with faith on the Nepali magic (which I believe is the result of Nepali’s peace-loving / patriotic nature), I believe the CA will meet the deadline.

I am also saying this because almost all the groundwork – the draft documentation of the constitution’s major parts that takes time – has already been completed (kudos to the CA members in the thematic committees).

The delay is due to difference in some aspect that needs the consensus / agreement among major political parties (read: top leaders) which they can garnish within a few days (and they would meet day and night, here and there, on person and on phone) to agree.

Let’s be optimistic! (However, let’s continue being concerned about it.)

[The title of the post is a line of a song that I love: Someday by Nazanin Afshin Jam who is an Iran-born Canadian Miss World runners-up and social worker. The chorus is: Someday, we will find a way, someday, someday, someday, the darkness fades away, someday. If you want to hear/watch the song, here it is; lyrics here.]

January 14, 2010 by Politics Talks

A game of neighbors

A game of football is all about scoring. A player needs to penetrate into the opponent’s area to score goals – and if the defense is not good, then there will be more room to play for the opponents. Every goal is scored because of a weakness!

The game of politics is similar – not same because the number of players is not equal; there are not strict referees or rules! More so, when it’s a game of diplomacy [or diplomatic relations]! And, the topmost point on saving your game is that: don’t let opponents the playing space!

* * *

Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda) was at his best [either for honesty or satire] when he addressed the mass meeting at New Baneshwor after the conclusion of two-and-half-day of general strike.

Here is a piece of what he said [copied from myrepublica.com / ekantipur.com]

Why talk to puppets here in Nepal? I have no energy for talks with the leaders of the CPN-UML and the Nepali Congress. Now the talks will only be with the master.

We are ready to hold talks with New Delhi.

It’s a pity that the parties are helpless when it comes to taking any decision on their own as they are remote-controlled by New Delhi.

Was this a self-realization? Or an outcry for not being helped by India to form their government? Or simply the truth?

Many people I listened to at the teashops believe it’s the truth that Nepali political parties are puppets to our big neighbors. But along with that all of them believe that what Prachanda said including all the bad things about India was simply an outcry because the Maoists were not favored by New Delhi.

* * *

Most of the times, the truth is bitter to swallow.

And, the truth is that India is a powerful neighbor on which we depend on many things. All over the world, it’s not a new thing that the smaller countries are dominated by big neighbors.

However, we are in better than many other countries’ position because we are in-between two future superpowers. A perfect balance in diplomacy could help us in our benefits.

Yes, the Indians are playing with our internal matters. They are because there are a lot of things they can gain from us – mainly in resource-sharing sector. But then who to blame?

In football, it’s more blame on your side than to the opponents. The opponents are there to score; it’s your weakness to let then score.

The Indians want benefits (in fact everybody wants benefits, including the political parties and leaders – only difference could be for the country or the party). And, it’s our weakness that they are using to play on us.

* * *

What Prachanda said is a shame for them; for us. Because it came from the mouth of a former prime minister who has still a long years left in which he is well-placed to become the nation’s top leader.

To speak against any neighboring or non-neighboring friendly nation on mass gathering is a foolish thing on the part of the leaders of his height. There is no gain of it other than a thousand more claps in the program and a mockery in the newspapers.

God bless us!

More on topic:

Roundup of media coverage on Prachanda’s speech @ The Brief

Irresponsible and senseless [editorial] @ Republica

Irresponsible and senseless
December 23, 2009 by Politics Talks Sadly!

In praise of Maoists

This is something rarely written for the Maoists; but their good-natured tactic of peaceful protest has earned at least a few good things for them. One of them is praise from people like me and one other is at least a little faith on ‘what they say’.

The Maoists top leaders said the protests would be peaceful. And, it went peaceful.

For normal citizens, there were of course troubles for they closed down the streets wherever they were protesting and also blocked all roads leading to the Kathmandu Valley for a day.

This meant that people suffered – but well less than what many suspected when the largest party with a violent past announced the stir.

On Thursday, they picketed Singha Durbar, the main administrative area of Nepal. The Maoists cadres poured into the valley from all around – in dozens of buses – as if there is going to be a war and that the side with greater number will win.

Singha Durbar had never been picketed; thus it was new and all around it are prohibited area [even journalists wanted to cross the line when they protested] but the Maoists did not tried to cross over.

Once on Thursday, there was a brief clash – police firing a few shells of tear-gas while Maoists tried to cross the line – but calmness returned soon.

And, most importantly for me, they did what they said! The leaders and cadres acted as a unit – not that leaders saying contradictory things and then cadres doing whatsoever they wanted. They looked like a party under leadership’s control.

prachanda

PICNIC IN PROTEST: Maoist supremo Prachanda dances in tunes of actress Rekha Thapa during the Maoists’ picketing of the Singha Durbar.

A few stars for them also for turning the protest into ‘picnic’. They sang, danced and enjoyed on the streets – some of the film stars joining them.

One more praise for the Maoists for establishing a culture that strikes/protests might also be carried on without burning tyres or vandalizing public properties. And, that’s the best part and I hope all other parties would follow it when it comes their turn to protest.

But from Friday, their protest ended. What results would it produce? Looks like virtually nothing than a little amazement.

But seriously, I hope that the ruling coalition will take the protest to be flexible towards Maoists and that the Maoists will be flexible – enough from both sides to behave as an unit at least in constitution making and peace process.

Two rigid sides can not compromise; the compromise with one side rigid would not yield faith and long-term co-operation; thus I hope that both sides – ruling coalition and the Maoists should somehow agree on a few basic things including two hot issues – the constitution making and peace process and democratically solve issues arising during the deliberations on these issues.

Everyone knows: there is no alternative way! Everyone knows: they should someday unite! So sooner the better!

November 13, 2009 by Politics Talks

Mr Hyde (of Maoists) wakes up

The efforts to forget political consensus among top three political parties in Nepal was going well (quotes of Maoist leaders):

The meeting ended on a positive note. The meeting was a step closer toward resolving the problem.

– Maoist leader Dev Gurung (on October 23)

We will show flexibility for the end of political deadlock.

– Maoist spokesperson Dinanath Sharma (on October 20)

And, all of the sudden, it seemed like all that was a child’s play (headlines of news on October 25):

New condition by Maoists: ‘Government under our leadership’

Maoist Vice-chair Narayankaji Shrestha said the proposal for a Maoist-led government is not a new one. “We have been demanding it for long.

(from myrepublica.com)

So what changed all of the sudden?

At least for an ordinary citizen, nothing (the leaders could have talked secretly to many things that we were unaware of). If nothing had changed in these few days, why the Maoists become Mr. Hyde?

The Maoists have proved they are not very good at the politics of bargaining (otherwise how could a party that could form a government under their leadership fail to elect their candidates in the post of president, vice-president and speaker!) Had they realized during all those meetings, they were being dominated by?

I don’t know that but if Maoists decide to launch a nationwide movement against the government, it could be a bad decision. If they fail… Then what next?

Even if they return to the talks, it would make nothing other than making their image childish! (but that would be a good choice at least for the country, I believe).

[Note: Mr Hyde as in The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson]

October 26, 2009 by Politics Talks Sadly!

Tihar: hopes of enlightenment

tihar

Bhailini aain angana, gunyu cholo magana!
He aausiko baro, gai tiharo bhailo!
or
Ye hai bhana mera bhai ho, deusi re!
Ye hai ramrai bhana, deusi re!

Each echoing sound of these Tihar songs gives a nostalgic vibration to me (as to many Nepalis). For these were the songs, we probably waited most eagerly to sing during our childhood. Among five days of Tihar – the festival of lights – the two evenings before the final day of Bhai Tika gave most of us the most entertaining moments of the childhood!

To go to people’s houses, sing deusi or bhailo and return happily (and sleepy) with some money was always the best feelings of the festival. And, the next day’s tika from sisters (and the nuts, sweets and fruits) makes the festival a win-win situation!

—

This Tihar is at the moment when there could be win-win situation for the country. Politically, there is every chance that a national government will be formed; the disrupted parliament will function and the much-awaited constitution writing process goes ahead on a fast lane!

Since before Dashain festival, the Maoists, Nepali Congress and CPN-UML – the top three parties of the nation – are talking consensus. Deadline: Tihar!

The Maoists are threatening bigger movement – thankfully they are not saying bloodier! – if no consensus reached. The other two parties – octogenarian Girija Prasad Koirala’s Congress and divided CPN-UML of PM Madhav Kumar Nepal – are saying Maoists are not being flexible enough.

For people: the thing that matters is consensus! No more conflict, no more dirty politics! We need leaders and parties to do something for the nation – without thinking of benefits of their parties.

Could this Tihar prove win-win for all Nepalis! Let’s pray!

Happy Tihar!

October 14, 2009 by Politics Talks Uzz Update

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