But, remarks made by some political leaders and recent developments this week have dampened public hopes for elections.CPN-Maoist Chairman Mohan Baidya´s sudden announcement this week that his party may forge an alliance with former king and royalist forces “to safeguard national unity and integrity” sent shock waves across the entire political spectrum.
Quick reaction to Baidya´s statement by Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal´s chief Kamal Thapa and his remarks expressing readiness to join hands with radical communists on issues of national interests has given a new dimension to the political debate. [break]
Baidya and his party Secretary Netra Bikram Chand have said at public functions earlier this week that their party is for forging an alliance with former King Gyanendra Shah, pro-monarch groups and other nationalist forces to safeguard national integrity and sovereignty.
RPP-N Chairman Thapa was quick to welcome Baidya´s proposal saying that it became urgent for the nationalist forces to come together “as Nepal´s national integrity and unity was attacked the most” during the last seven years.
While Baidya floated the proposal of an alliance with former king and nationalists, UCPN (Maoist) leader and former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai expressed his ire against the former king´s recent activities. Claiming that Gyanendra´s recent tours to various Tarai districts and other activities “under social and religious guise is entirely motivated by his political ambition” Bhattarai said the former king should be jailed and stopped from carrying out such activities.
He was of the view that Gyanendra distributing reliefs to flood victims in various remote districts was laying the grounds for a counter revolution. Bhattarai went on to claim that he had credible information that Gyanendra through his emissaries has been “pleading to his foreign masters for support to revive monarchy”.
Political analysts have construed that the convergence of ideas between the Baidya-led radical Maoists and former royals indicate significant political happenings behind the curtain. “The hobnobbing between former royals, who have been sidelined from the state powers and the Maoists that have announced to disrupt election may invite yet another political crisis,” said a political commentator requesting anonymity. “It might be hasty to predict about the likely scenario but the indications are not positive.”
Professor Krishna Khanal, a key member of civil society that played a crucial role in drawing public support to the political movement in 2006, said Baidya´s proposal and Bhattarai´s remarks have only disappointed the public.
He believed that such “meaningless remarks and irresponsible acts of leaders” have only complicated the political transition.
“The political situation at present has deteriorated in comparison to 2006 when at least major political parties stood united for major political agendas,” said Khanal.
The latest scenario has not only disappointed the pro-election forces but also the member parties of the 33-party alliance-led by Baidya himself.
´Baidya´s proposal step toward regression´
Mani Thapa, chief of the Revolutionary Communist Party of Nepal, a member party of the alliance, described Baidya´s proposal CPN-Maoist´s journey toward regression. Stating that they were taken by surprise at Baidya´s announcement, Thapa said that leaders from other member parties of the alliance may rethink about their coalition if Baidya failed to clarify his announcement. According to him, leaders from some member parties are holding discussions in this regard ever since they heard about Baidya´s proposal.
“Nepal´s monarchy ruled for 240 years but the kings never worked for the people. There is no possibility of king working in the interests of the country and the people,” said Thapa. “I think they find Gyanendra a nationalist leader as they are after power.”
He said that the need of the hour is to institutionalize and strengthen the republic, federalism and other achievements of the popular movement-2005. “But by proposing a working alliance with former king, Baidyaji is heading in the opposite direction.”
Some believe that the political elements not happy with the abolition of monarchy and Hindu kingdom and proclamation of a secular republic have been gaining strength in the recent days. Nepali Congress leader Shashank Koirala´s recent statement that “abolishing monarchy and turning republic were big mistakes” gives credence to the argument.
Public confidence can be regained if the major parties and the government succeed in creating environment conducive to elections in November.
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