It seems political leaders are not serious about finding a solution to the current political crisis. The Big Four—UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF)—have not been able to settle differences for the all-important fresh election of the Constituent Assembly, even among themselves. Other key parties—CPN-Maoist, Upendra Yadav-led Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum Nepal and Federal Socialist Party Nepal led by Ashok Rai—are hell bent on ruining the election environment by putting forth impractical demands. The general public is confused as the much-touted government of Chief Justice Khil Raj Regmi too has failed to speed up the process for new polls. It has been more than a year since the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly, but the parties are yet to engage in meaningful give and take in order to create favorable election environment. Instead of working to build trust among all major political forces, the Big Four are engaged in comparatively insignificant election-related provisions: bringing the disgruntled parties into election fold should be their main objective right now. We are one with President Ram Baran Yadav who told Jhala Nath Khanal the other day that only fresh election can bring the derailed political course back on track, all major parties should stop wasting precious time and energy over insignificant issues. [break]
As far as the contentious election-related issues are concerned, we believe that introducing a one percent threshold of votes for PR component in the new CA is unnecessary. It would hamper broad representation from minority and marginalized communities in the new CA, without which it would be hard to agree on a viable constitution. The parties have more or less agreed to reduce the size of the CA to 491 from 601 and it should be kept that way, in keeping with the public sentiment. But the parties need to ensure that the marginalized and minority communities have adequate representation while distributing poll tickets. Some kind of written promise along these lines is important to create an atmosphere of trust. Another contentious issue of barring those convicted for criminal offenses from election for six years is practical and would help control the growing criminalization of politics. But before making any decisions in this regard, the parties—especially NC and CPN-UML—should understand that there are many leaders in UCPN (Maoist) who are still facing various charges from the insurgency days. They should resist trying to score some brownie points, at great cost to the peace and constitution processes.
The parties’ failure to establish the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, one of the most important aspects of the peace process, is at the root of this controversy. There should be a clear provision in the election-related ordinance that only those convicted criminals are barred and other conflict-era cases in which Maoist leaders have been charged but are yet to be proven guilty should be left for the TRC. This will help create an environment of trust between the Maoist and non-Maoist parties. As for the disgruntled parties, they have every right to articulate their demands and positions, like every political party, but it should be up to the sovereign people to decide on these issues. It is vital that the agitating parties give up their impractical demands and start negotiating in earnest to bail the country out of the current quagmire.
Related story
Must-listen health and fitness podcasts
-1776353206.webp)
