Nepal: Looking for Consensus

Consensus politics as the most scarce reality, have badly disturbed the deadline of a new constitution on May28th,2010 and possibly same can happen next year in the presence of deep political divisions in Nepal.
In present assembly, Maoists have biggest stake and slightly change in their outlook have made things on streamline but the most vital aspect is Maoists inconsistent reckoning to their commitments and promises which hitherto they have failed to deliver on most of occasions.
Now Maoist’s conducive stand is making two change inevitable-first resignations of PM Madhav Kumar Nepal and thriving for a consensus government with the help of Nepali Congress and CPN {UML}, until these two changes wouldn’t take place it’s hard to assume the words of Maoist’s turning into practices.

Presently, Nepal desperately needs to align all its political forces towards the target of new constitution which is prerequisite for the further political maneuvering in the nation. Alienation from masses is another unusual area where political parties, especially Nepali Congress and CPN {UML} have to be worked hard to compete genuinely with the Maoist’s at the political arena.
In absence of strong mass back-up, these two political parties are destined to adversely juggle between Indian government and old security establishment in the country, which is an embarrassing development that never going to address the real flaws.

There is an immediate need from all quarter to understand the grimness, Nepal facing as a young democracy-it would be worthwhile to note here that transition to democracy in Nepal appeared shortly then other democratic countries, but so far, its enactment have been more prone to disappointment.
India, as a natural and most trusted ally is closely entwined with the domestic affairs of Nepal-besides sharing a long stretch of land and commonness on most of fronts,these two countries needs to upbeat on their trusted relationship and faith which built in centuries. In recent past, some unfortunate developments have come across the natural relationship between these two neighboring nation-they all derived from the misjudgment of Maoist’s towards India’s role in Nepal and their ideological compulsion which drew them closer with China.

Moreover, their premonitions with India have larger binding on domestic turf rather on international sphere as these trivial issues are hardly decisive in the India-China or any other relations from Indian point of view. India has adequate sense of some past mistakes and now anticipating to balance them by revised acts-so, in wider perspective, India and Nepal must remain closely intertwined in all crucial affairs.
Consensus among the political parties and Maoist’s attitude at large would decide the role of ousted King, who in the wake of rampant corruption and opportunism in Nepali party politics gaining unprecedented support from a chunk of citizens who stands for religious and social harmony.
Their fears are acknowledgable as they absolutely emerged from the vested power play of Maoist’s who in the name of affirmative action poised to give big jolt on the integrity of nation. Indeed, this is an unique disturbance in the history of modern Nepal when an administrative proposition is forming on the line of caste and ethnicity,worst of all with an idea of federalism for this small nation.
Amidst, those fears and uncertainty, former King Gyanendra received grand reception during his recent trip to Terai region of Janakpur and Nepalgunj {west Nepal}-peoples were shouting in Maithili “Raja aau, desh bachau {King come back, save the country}”; condition have changed dramatically in his favour, like Indira Gandhi during the 1977-80 phase, he appeared as a cementing force who brought together the diverse political parties united only by animosity towards him {Yubaraj Ghimire, All hail the King, The Indian Express, May29th2010}.

Working pattern of political parties in Nepal would decide the next course of possibility albeit the Maoist’s conception about mainstream and their prospective handling with the ambition of party cadres are going to main catalyst. Unfortunately, till now, they have been mostly subdued the national interest on the cost of party interests that will keep raising question marks on Maoist’s real intention and any endorsement they would contemplate as plan of next order.
Presently conditional alignment of parties for new constitution is only a drop in the desert; the real change would appear visible only after the lessening of intra and inter party rivalry and consensus at least for the crucial issues of national interest. Like on most of occasions, it’s indeed hard to see the next moment in Nepal…
Atul Kumar Thakur
June1st 2010, Tuesday, New Delhi
atul_mdb@rediffmail.com