Irrespective of whether it is a straight forward or tactical move, Dahal´s resignation from the cabinet has cleared many doubts about the Maoists, at least for now. The people were expecting bloodshed and violence on the streets. Huge rallies were moving around the city chanting revolutionary slogans. They only needed one signal from their high command to storm into the army headquarters or the president´s residence.
In the midst of such a charged atmosphere, Prachanda and his ministers read the situation with a mature and a cool head. After about eight months in the government, which must have led to a better understanding of the national and international realities, it seems they have realized that capturing the state would be a foolhardy move. Indeed so.
Prachanda did what any democratic prime minister should have done—step down after losing majority support in the parliament. By doing this, Prachanda, on the one hand, lent credence to the general view that he is a revolutionary and charismatic personality while, on the other hand, giving concrete proof to the people that his party is committed to lead the peace process to a logical conclusion. Moreover, this move will win accolades from the people who support the Maoists sans violence.
However, there is another side of the coin as well. Over a long period, the once illusive leader Prachanda has given every reason to believe that he is quite unpredictable when it comes to decision making. He was adamant to sack the army chief despite understanding the fallouts of such a move. No doubt, he had tremendous pressure from the radicals within his party. However, his radical friends never wanted him to step down from the government.
If the radical forces manage to exert further pressure, Prachanda might again attempt to capture the state by force. Hopefully, common sense will prevail. He has to understand that already enough lives have been lost in the name of people´s war. He should also keep in mind that their decision to join mainstream politics has brought them much more success than the 10-year-long violent war against the state.
It is now time for Maoist leaders to consolidate their democratic credentials because they have understood that global realities and geo-political situation of Nepal do not permit them to implement their stale ideologies in the 21st century. They should keep in mind that their move to empower the poor, give voice to the voiceless and create a more egalitarian society is not what pro-democratic forces oppose. Their attempt to achieve these goals through an authoritarian method is the only concern.
Now, the onus lies on other political parties to give credit to the Maoists for their democratic move. The politics of national consensus should again be the mantra to steer the country forward. If possible, the Maoists can again be brought into the government in a different coalition. Time has given an opportunity to the UML to lead the country toward peace and stability. They must cash in on this opportunity to write the constitution in the stipulated time with the support of all the other political parties.
Though all the credit to avoid an imminent confrontation has gone to Prachanda and his party, President Ram Baran Yadav´s mature and responsible role cannot be overlooked. If the president had not stopped the Maoists on time, Prachanda could have been forced to ask his combatants to capture the state by force. It is an all together different question as to whether they would or would not have succeeded to tame the military. We must not forget that they had accepted a situation of strategic balance with the Nepal Army before joining peaceful politics. However, it is also a reality, a bitter one for that matter, that they have been successful to create a certain rift in the military rank and file and this is largely due to the undue ambitions of some of the generals.
Meanwhile, the outgoing prime minister wrongly blamed the president for being unconstitutionally and undemocratically active. In fact, the president acted only after receiving requests from 18 political parties, who jointly command more than 50 per cent seats in the parliament.
Nepal has taken one more step forward in consolidating democracy in the country from Monday, after the Maoists voluntarily stepped down from the government. Now, all the parties should focus on broader national consensus and drafting the new constitution. We don´t have time to blame each other for whatever has transpired so far.
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