By offering his resignations he will send a credible signal that he doesn’t care about the post of the PM. Most Nepalis are convinced that our politicians care about power, and power alone. Offering to give up the most powerful position to end violence and encourage a democratic style will be a welcome change. It will set him apart from other top leaders.
The PM should make sure that his resignation speech captures the seriousness of the current situation. I watched the recent PM address and was dismayed by the body language of the other leaders sitting next to the PM. Such carefree gestures during serious occasions like this one does not go well with the public. It makes a mockery of our political system.
The PM should make it clear that he is resigning to avoid confrontation and bloodshed, and with the hope that Maoists will behave more like a democratic party and less like revolutionaries.
The president should accept the PM’s resignation, but only on the condition that an alternative alliance is available. The president should request Pushpa Kamal Dahal to form the government and let him try to build an alliance. Until Dahal can find a majority support among CA members, Madhav Kumar Nepal will be the PM of Nepal and his resignation will not be accepted.
Let the Maoist party solicit the support of other parties. Let these slow learners of democracy show some humility, make compromises in their agendas and interests to incorporate other parties.
Critics rightly argue that PM’s resignation will set a precedent of using street protests to topple the government. To avoid such situations in the future, we need make our leaders focus on how to govern rather than who should govern.
Fortunately, we are at a juncture where we are writing the constitution. We can opt for a political system that will make it virtually impossible to topple the government by street protests, and that will encourage top leaders to work for their image in the eyes of their countrymen (not for the benefit of the party).
To do so, we need to elect our PM directly. The PM’s job should be secure until the next round of elections. There should also be appropriate checks and balances to make sure that he does not abuse power. For example, the Supreme Court judges and the head of Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), and Federal Chief of Police should be appointed for long terms (10 years).
This will make it very difficult for the PM to appoint his men in key positions and use the state apparatus for personal gains. The key reason why all parties are obsessed with the PM’s post and “plum” portfolios in the cabinet is because it has become a license to plunder state resources for personal and party gains.
The current political system forces party leaders to work in the interest of their parties. That is why even powerful personalities like Pushpa Kamal Dahal are hung up on becoming the PM, and are forgoing an opportunity to be the father of the constitution (and hence modern Nepal).
Dahal, personally has more to gain by showing visible leadership in rallying support for his version of the constitution than by asking for the PM’s resignation. His party members, though, will gain a lot if Dahal becomes prime minister, even if it is only for a few months. In the days to come, let us hope that Pushpa Kamal Dahal thinks more about his place in history and less about the party he presides.
680anand@gmail.com
Writer is Assistant Professor of Economics and Finance at Texas A&M International University, USA
Related story
Go Stand Up!
-1200x560-1771928761.webp)
