Avoid confrontation

If the political parties fail to strike a deal in the next couple of hours, chances of which seem increasingly slim, the country is headed for a showdown. A nervous nation braces for the May 1 show of strength by the Maoists and a general strike called from May 2. The possibility of clashes between security forces and Maoist cadres and a likely flare up of violence make the situation even more critical. The Maoists have brought in tens of thousands of their radicalized cadres, after giving them laathi and khukuri training, and whipping them up for a ´final battle´. Police have seized materials meant for making petrol bombs, and hand grenades, gelignite and other explosives. Pictures of army and armed police force (APF) personnel drilling in full combat gear have been splashed in the newspapers. And sound bites on electronic media are filled with threats and counter-threats by the political leaders. If feels as if we are headed for war against another country.



This is a tragic moment in the history of our nation, and it sadly comes hot on the heels of the fourth anniversary of Janaandolan-II. Never forget that Janaandolan II was primarily a story of the people´s aspiration for peace and democracy and its triumph. Four years ago, the resolute citizenry of this country forced a despotic monarch to concede defeat and hand over power to the political parties. But the parties are failing them now. Obsessed with power, they have not just deviated from their main responsibility of concluding the peace process and writing the constitution in time, but they have also put everything at stake, including the gains of Janaandolan-II. The Maoists must take a disproportionate share of blame for where we are today. Ignoring the constitutional process and a consensual approach for replacing this government by a national unity government, the party has opted for a confrontational path, the result of which is completely uncertain.



Things can take an ugly turn in the next few days should the Maoists decide to go ahead with their general strike and the government still refuses to budge. A small spark, be it the hurling of a patrol bomb at security forces or similar provocation by rightist elements, who are only waiting for an opportune moment, can throw the situation out of control. Trust between the Maoists and the government is so low and fear so widespread that any untoward incident will be immediately interpreted as a deliberate attempt by the other side to gain an upper hand. The parties must, therefore, hammer out a deal before such a spark spoils everything. It must dawn on the leaders that confrontation is in no one´s interest. We understand the temptation on the part of hardliners in both camps to flex their muscles, but the outcome of yielding to temptation will be nothing but a national loss. We, therefore, urge the Maoist leadership to give up confrontational politics, and take credible steps to conclude the peace process and write the constitution. We also urge the coalition parties to show maximum flexibility and find a negotiated settlement to the present deadlock.

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