But that's exactly what is happening in Nepal. It is like the defeated team saying, 'let's divide the trophy because we also took part in the game.' UCPN (Maoist)'s Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who never fails to amaze and amuse us with his out-of-this world proposals, is at it again. Now he wants a national government headed by CPN-UML's KP Oli. What those in Nepali Congress and the UML, now going gaga over this indecent proposal, including Oli, do not understand is that it is nothing but a brilliant Maoist ploy to emerge as a major force—a kingmaker in Nepal's popular parlance—even when the party suffered a humiliating defeat in the second CA polls.If there is anybody in Nepal who has mastered the deceitful British strategy of divide and rule and the Marxist strategy of exploiting the contradictions, then it has to be Dahal.
The trap is obvious: First, create a rift among the leaders within NC and UML, and then between the two parties. Then, with the help of the dissatisfied leaders of the NC and UML and those not in the present coalition, announce a government under his or his party's leadership. Then create a perpetual political crisis to delay the constitution up to the point where the Maoist party can get the constitution that institutionalizes its rule. One can safely say that Dahal is hoping to kill two birds with one stone with his recent proposal. No rocket science here.
Although a brilliant strategy if you are a Maoist, this is a dangerous gamble. Acting on the Maoists' selfish proposal is going to open Pandora's Box and the first victims of evils released will be political parties themselves. NC and UML leaders must understand all that Dahal wants is to make them unpopular by portraying them as indifferent to the country's plight and with propaganda and drama, make his party appear as the right choice for the country.
It is no secret that people are not satisfied with the Sushil Koirala government's response to the earthquake. However, it does not necessarily mean that there is a need to bring it down. Instead of getting rid of it, the time calls for strengthening it, not just for rebuilding efforts but also to institutionalize democracy in the country. Political instability resulting from the dirty game of making and breaking government(s) is the last thing the country needs now.
Without a doubt the political instability at this point will severely affect rebuilding with each government passing the buck: Sorry, we are unable to rebuild because of the previous government's decisions or corruption! And as a result, the people who are already angry and frustrated because of the government's lackluster response, and who doubt democracy itself due to leaders' undemocratic attitudes, may rise against the system.
Furthermore, political instability at this point will make people believe that all parties want their share of the pie (the money that is pouring into the country for quake victims) thereby making them lose whatever little credibility they enjoy, giving one more reason for the public to revolt against the present bunch and or the system itself.
Therefore, leaders should all help the present government by providing it with constructive criticism. They can even force the government to establish a commission to oversee rebuilding/relief led by apolitical figures (and no, despite another Maoist leader Baburam Bhattarai's willingness to be in such a commission, he should not be given any role. It will only politicize rebuilding efforts and we will get nowhere). The government will allocate funds and the commission will distribute them.
Such a commission led by a competent civilian such as a retired general of Nepal Army or an ex-Nepal Police officer or a retired bureaucrat who knows the country better and who can mobilize the state's resources better than any of the political leaders can deliver more than the national government Dahal is proposing and Oli is drooling over. To ensure the government or political leaders do not meddle in its affairs, it should be held accountable to the parliament alone. Since our country is vulnerable to natural disasters, the provision of a commission on natural disasters should be enshrined in new constitution as well. It will ensure effective response to natural crises in the future.
If we had a better alternative from among the parties represented in the CA, then, perhaps, the people would have opted for a new government. Having seen all parties in action, one can safely say that there is no better alternative to this government. All are the same; therefore, it makes no sense to bring down the present government. Not because we are happy with it, but because letting it continue will save the country from a major political disaster.
trailokyaa@yahoo.com
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