The Maoists' Short-Cut to Power

By Shashi P.B.B. Malla

Show of Power

The Maoists' mass demonstration - the largest since 1989 - at the centre of the city at the open-air theatre and Tundikhel and the speeches of their leaders have demonstrated very amply their marching route to political power. They have really learned the lessons of the past in our own country and also that of history in other countries where Communists have seized power. It is a diabolical game with pathetic passive onlookers. It seems that the 7-party alliance is unwilling or unable to act. The only way out seems to be to receive firm instructions from the Delhi Durbar.

It is astounding that people are unaware of the dishonourable and malevolent role of Kantipur TV. Just like during the people's movement, it caricatures the freedom of the press. This is used not for the sake of unbiased presentation of news, but to manipulate or suppress them in the interests of a hidden agenda. Thus, it didn't think it newsworthy to highlight the King's presence at the religiously important Macchendra Nath Chariot Festival. This omission was an insult to the people of Patan (who had ardently wished the monarch's august attendance) in particular and also the Nepalese people in general.

Breach of Code of Conduct

The present Government of Nepal (GOON) has gone far enough to accommodate the Maoists. It has become clear to everyone that these (former) terrorists are not interested in upholding the code of conduct signed with undue haste. Before, during and after signing the agreement, they have violated all democratic norms and forms of civilized conduct. Threats and extortions are continuing unabated. Just recently, they demanded USD 100 each from German tourists, one group trekking in the Simikot area in far western Nepal, and another returning from Tibet and apprehended near Dolalghat on the Arniko Highway (by the people's government of the so-called Tamsaling Autonomous Region). This is daylight robbery pure and simple and is not conducive for the regeneration of tourism in our country. This crime syndicate must be crushed, if we are to move forward.

Concerned Citizens Must Act

GOON is doing a lot for the martyrs of the People's Movement. But how about the thousands of victims of the Maoists' reign of terror? Has the government taken any concrete steps for remedial measures for the internally displaced persons? It is high time that troubled compatriots take concrete action to protect their way of life, property, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The next time the Maoists come in such huge numbers, what and who is to prevent them from demanding free board and lodging, and 'donations' from private citizens? Civil society has failed to address this future problem and political parties are too busy engaged in 'high politics'. It is, therefore, suggested that a new civic body open to the general public and composed of a hard-core group of activists be formed. It could conveniently be called: 'Concerned Citizens for Democracy and Peace'.

No Dissolution of House

There can be no question of dissolving the House of Representatives (HoR) as the Maoists are demanding. We may discuss the pros and cons of the restoration of parliament, but its existence and functioning is a fact of current political life. It must continue to control the government. Otherwise, the system of checks and balances between the three classical branches of the state will crumble. The Maoists, of course,
do not care for such niceties. Their aim is naked power. For a decade they had delusions of grandeur and power by faithfully following Mao Zedong's dictum that 'political power grows out of the barrel of a gun'. However, the then Royal Nepalese Army's decisive tactics and strategy shattered their concept. But even now they claim to control seventy to eighty percent of the country, which is totally unfounded. Moreover, coercion, intimidation, extortion and a threatening stance do not add up to democratic and voluntary support. The return to the mainstream requires a totally new orientation on their part. Anything short of that will not be acceptable to the Nepalese people at large and should, therefore, not be tolerated by the present People's Government.

Unfortunately, the Maoists are insisting in continuing their 'People's War' with other means. Their political guru Mao's commandment reigns supreme: "Politics is war without bloodshed, while war is politics with bloodshed!" There is absolutely no reason why we should accept such an outdated Communist point of view. The Maoists don't have the rational arguments, and they don't have the realistic numbers. However, a repetition of last week's mass demonstration should not be allowed, because they may be turned right for the wrong reasons! Bringing in truckloads of in their heart of hearts
unwilling agitators (under threat and with confiscated vehicles) cannot by any stretch of the imagination be termed a democratic exercise. If they allow another such demonstration, the 7-parties will not only be digging their own graves, but ringing the death-knell of the Nepalese nation.

Monarchy's Fate and Constituent Assembly

Further dismantling of the institution of monarchy must stop forthwith. The HoR has no mandate for this. If certain people want a republic, then what matters is that it is done by peaceful, constitutional and democratic means. Moreover, there must be a substantial majority for the proposition. The modalities for this must still be laid down. We cannot accept the tyranny of a minority. The present People's Government and Parliament think that they have received the people's mandate for sweeping changes. If anything, the people yearn for genuine democracy and peace. But major transformations are not on the cards. A major re-structuring of the state is the business of the future constitutional assembly which will draft a new basic law and also function as a normal parliament. For this, 'free and fair' elections monitored by international observers, i.e. without the threats and intimidation of the Maoists is a must.

We, therefore, must reject totally all extra-constitutional agitation to abolish the monarchy. Very active in this regard are, of course, the Maoists, the Indian jawan turned Communist, Bam Dev Gautam and republican elements in the Congress led by Nara Hari Acharya.

Security Forces Must Remain Intact

The People's Government must give a clear signal that the security forces are a vital part of the state and cannot be treated at par with the so-called People's Liberation Army
(PLA). Only recently, Comrade Dev Gurung, a Maoist commander and member of the negotiating team made the nonsensical statement that the army and the King could still take over power and that persons working against Loktantra were also represented in the current government! This at a time when the Maoists' local people's governments were still terrorizing the people. In the very near future, the question of arms control will be a an insurmountable hurdle. The Government cannot budge an inch with regard to Maoist demands, otherwise it will be the beginning of the end.

The European Commission(EC) has already indicated that the Maoists must renounce violence and commit to decommissioning their weapons as a precondition for free and fair elections to a constituent assembly and as part of the peace process. In such a case, the EC would be keen to extend peace-building support. We can then tackle unresolved constitutional issues and pave the path to prosperity, democracy and the rule of law.

[The writer can be reached at: shashipbmalla@hotmail.com . He will be leaving for Germany shortly for a few weeks of consultations with his parent company and private sojourn]

alan@newsblaze.com

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