Nepal finally conducted the municipal polls amidst threats and fears, which amply suggests that the country’s political stalemate could be resolved through the elections.
Nepal succeeded in restoring people’s dignity and rights by holding the polls in a fair and free manner. It is a big achievement for the nation and the people. The seven political parties ridiculed the democratic process as they went against the elections riding on the backs of terrorists.
When His Majesty the King assumed executive power one year ago, the political parties said that the King would not hold polls to bring the derailed democratic process back on track. As His Majesty announced holding the municipal and general elections, the parties again put blame on the head of the state that he could not do so. And as the elections approached, they openly engaged in activities geared at disrupting the polls by forging an alliance with the terrorists. Is it not a sheer mockery of democracy?
The brave candidates filed their candidacy and the courageous people came out to cast ballots defying both the boycott of the seven-party alliance and fear of terrorist attack. Nepal did not force the people to go to the poll centers. They came out on their own to exercise their democratic rights. The percentage of voter turnout is not so important. We have to see the adverse circumstances under which the people cast their votes.
Responsibility for the low turn out rests with the political parties and the Maoists, not the government. The parties deprived the people of casting their ballots. The country was compelled to pass through uncertainty largely due to the failure of previous governments to hold elections in the given timeframe. “Now this confusion is gradually evaporating with the successful holding of the municipal polls and the parliamentary elections that are to take place next year.
To a query regarding the dialogue with the Maoist outfit, the Royal address on February 1 had clearly made public the roadmap to end terror and bring those who strayed away by taking arms, to the political mainstream.
His Majesty has said that those who have gone astray wished to rejoin the mainstream of peace and creativity, democracy and coordination, and if they wish to dedicate themselves in the service of the people through ballot, abjuring the murderous acts against the nation and people, we make it clear that they will be given the security and opportunity necessary to shoulder the responsibilities of governance in their capacity.
These lines in the Royal address are a clear indication to them to come forward for dialogue. Everybody should realise the gist of the Royal address and come to a consensus by making patriotism as the meeting point. This is a pragmatic roadmap available to the Nepalese to steer the nation ahead. The government was not for solving the Maoist problem by killing them. Peace will not come by finishing them. They are also Nepalis. But when they carry weapons, they become terrorists. The Nepali people continue to be killed as long as the terrorists continue to carry arms.
By broadcasting the interview of a terrorist leader, the BBC, the state-run radio of the United Kingdom, known as mother of democracy, has encouraged terrorism and harmed the ongoing democratic process of the nation.
Highlighting the achievement of the government in the last year, it was said that a sense of security and confidence is seen to have increased among the people. “Moreover, the terrorists had suffered a lot. Firstly, they had lost their strongholds in the very parts of the country where they had claimed to have taken control. They are now not in a position to attack the army barracks and loot the arms.” This is why Prachanda, in his interview to the BBC, has admitted that the terrorists had been unable to attack the capital.
The so-called Maoist cease-fire announced some months ago was a strategy to regroup and rearm for more destruction in the country. Asked about the demand of the constituent assembly, Prachanda told the BBC, “The present constitution, which is described as one of the best ones in the world, was drafted by no other than the political parties.” The state can not change the constitution just because some are demanding for it by resorting to violence and pelting stones in the streets.
The nation was plunged into crisis as the parties started to interpret the constitution for their own interests. This tendency invited detrimental politics in the country. Article 127 of the constitution was for breaking the deadlock facing the nation and His Majesty the King was asked to exercise this provision to address the deteriorating situation.
There have been no allegations of corruption or scams since the present government came to power.
The state is fighting against a dangerous insurgency. other nations that have fought insurgency had declared emergency for years, curtailing human rights and press freedom. Thus, we must be cautious not to allow such a situation to continue in Nepal.
