Peace and Democracy in Nepal

By Deep Raj Sanyal

Senior leader and former Prime Minister K. P. Bhattarai emerged out of a long political hibernation and made his views regarding the contemporary political situation public at a programme held recently in the capital.

Speaking at the inauguration of a new public debate platform on Saturday, the octogenarian leader emphasized that the present political impasse in the country could be resolved only by means of a meaningful dialogue between the pro-constitutional forces.

The need for unity among Nepal's constitutional forces has been emphasized for the umpteenth time at each and every forum debating the political situation of the country. This topic has been so much talked about within the country that it has become a cliche of sorts.

Though the term 'consensus' among the constitutional forces has become a cliche in the political parlance of Nepal, the need for a meaningful consensus has become starker at present in resolving the problems confronting the country. There is no doubt about this. And the sagacious advice from the mouth of a seasoned political leader could not be more apt. Bhattarai's remarks were instantly lapped up by the media, both government and private, though presented and interpreted by each according to its needs.

While emphasizing on consensus and dialogue, former Prime Minister Bhattarai, who is better known as the 'Santa Neta' (sage leader) among the bevy of Nepali politicians, also warned against defaming the institution of monarchy.

He said attempts to defame monarchy could imperil national sovereignty, warning one and all to stay away from such folly. He also said, "Unlike the political parties, which are here today and gone tomorrow, the institution of monarchy is of permanent nature."

The former Prime Minister also disclosed about his audience with His Majesty the King on which occasion he had 'urged His Majesty to hand over power to the people and the King also expressed the same wish.' He also said that his only wish was to see democracy flourish in Nepal.

And what else, other than election, can be the appropriate way of building consensus and handing over power to the people as mentioned by the sagacious leader? Election is the bedrock of democracy and it is the right of the people to vote. Nobody calling himself a democrat can deny this universal truth.

That the country is without the elected people's representatives for the last couple of years is clear as daylight. It has been even longer than this that the local bodies have been bereft of the elected people's representatives. The absence of the people's representatives has pretty much affected the functioning of the state machinery. Because of this situation, His Majesty the King was impelled to take the historic step on February 1, 2005.

His Majesty the King has, in his proclamation on February 1, made commitments for re-energizing the democratic process by holding elections and maintaining law and order in the country. It was in line with this that His Majesty ordered the municipal elections in the first phase. Accordingly, the Election Commission, the constitutional body responsible for organizing elections in the country, has set the date for the municipal elections and there are only 50 days to go for the polls.

But it is ironical that the self-proclaimed mainstream national parties are shying away from the election. Instead of utilizing the golden opportunity that has come their way in the form of election, these 'democratic' national parties are talking of sabotaging the entire election process. What is more indigestible to the Nepali people is that these parties which call themselves to be the messiahs of democracy have banded together with the terrorist outfit in the form of the 12-point understanding to scuttle the electoral process.

This is evident with the top leaders of this assortment of political parties warning of sabotaging the elections. Clearly there are sinister motives at work here. This belligerent attitude on the part of the political parties would not serve the interest of strengthening democracy but it would spell disaster for the body politic and the nation at large.

One thing that baffles the common man on the street is why the political parties which are considered the 'life and blood' of democracy shying away from going to the people? If the political parties that brag of being the major parties in the country are really concerned about the people, democracy and the country, they should go to the people to seek their fresh verdict instead of parroting the sham phrase 'democracy under threat'. Is it not that democracy and the people's right to vote has been imperiled with the agitating seven parties strategy of sabotaging the elections?

If elections can be held in conflict hotspots as Iraq and Afghanistan, why cannot they be held in Nepal? This can happen in Nepal also provided that the very people who never get tired of talking of democracy and the rule of law become sincere towards the people and their country.

Nevertheless, preparations are going on in full swing for the municipal elections and the country is anticipating the elections with eagerness. This has been possible with the gradual improvement in the peace and security situation in the country following the bold step taken by His Majesty the King on February 1.

Come February 8, 2006 and the residents of the 58 municipalities throughout the Kingdom will be going to the polls to choose their representatives to the municipalities. The successful conclusion of the municipal elections would then pave the way for the parliamentary elections, building on the conducive environment resulting from the same.

In this way Nepal would be returning back to the representational political process which is the basis for building national consensus and strengthening the democracy.

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