New Nepal Not Yet: A Shattered Dream or Just a Stalled Process?

-          Govinda Neupane

After the historic April Mass Movement of 2006, it was expected that there would be a New Nepal, where prosperity would flood, civilized society would develop fast and all social ills would disappear. The egalitarian, shinning and prosperous future Nepal was called as New Nepal. However, the emerging reality not only challenged the foundation of this imagination; the Nepali state, first time in its modern history, appeared reaching to a danger of collapse.

There are five critical factors, which contributed to this sorry state of affairs.

1. Degeneration of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoists) into a new Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) party
2. Formation of a syndicate and spread of all-round anarchy
3. The defacto rule of Indian ambassador stationed at Lainchour
4. Sold out 'civil society', greed-centered intellectuals and  "ready- to- be auctioned" professionals
5. Making politics a dirty business of profit without investing a penny

Let's examine the factors mentioned above one by one.

1. The Maoists started the protracted war with a goal of establishing a society that is free from exploitation, subjugation and domination.  After a gallant take off and splendid high altitude flying, the Maoists made emergency landing without any compelling reason. They turned to be 'Unified Maoists' and amended their ideology, politics and practice. Now, they transformed as representatives of the elites, creamy layer and "Sukila-Mukilas" (the high class educated sections). They melted down, changed their revolutionary uniform and formed a different shape, which was similar to that of the UML. In essence, they became new incarnation of the old UML and did exactly the same what UML had done during late 1980s and early 1990s. This process of adjustment of the 'Unified Maoists' passed through a long course of dramas and acting. They tested the joy of romancing with wealth and also they discovered easy way of its collection. Hence, servitude, anarchy and corruption were glorified and practiced as never before. These acts encompassed political, economic and social decision makings and unlawful financial transactions. The newly formed Communist Party of Nepal –Maoist Secretary Netra Bikram Chanda rightly questioned the rational and relationship between assessing value of martyrdom of so many thousands people and a few leaders becoming billionaires by amassing wealth in no time. He asked this question addressing a gathering in March 17, 2013 in Kathmandu. This is a representative question of thousands of other questions about promises made for societal transformation, human values, equality and equity and social justice. However, simply unimaginable anarchy was delivered in reality. The changed color, content and course of the former Maoist leadership influenced  by the old state practices, contributed significantly to degenerating values, attitudes, norms and goals of the people in general and the 'Unified Maoists' cadres in particular. Hence, this factor played a major role in the process of destruction of the dream of a New Nepal.
2. The 'Unified Maoists' developed the modus operandi that brought key players of the status quo together and formed a syndicate. In this syndicate, the spineless leadership of Nepali Congress, UML and Madhesi Front collaborated with the 'Unified Maoists'.  And, they shared the loot together. Although, they have different names, documents and style of lecturing but they are one when they get opportunity to grab privileges, perks, power, positions and opportunities. This way, Nepal became a paradise for the anarchic political elites. Finally, they established an elitist oligarchy instead of attaining the goal of a new and shinning Nepal.
3. The India factor played critical role in this process that contributed to shattering the dream of a New Nepal. Governed by its legitimate and illegitimate national interests, particularly the desire to control over Nepal's water resources (high dams, flood control, hydropower, irrigation), surveillance (airport security, passport control, etc.), and establishing a client regime loyal to its command (creation of a new Bhutan); India did everything to prolong the transition and, in the process, it made Nepal as weak as possible. The political leadership in Delhi delegated the power to rule and ruin Nepal to its ambassador stationed at Lainchour in Kathmandu. The western powers helped India and 'Unified Maoists' as they thought that this could be best way to check the influence and expansion of communism, particularly in South Asia and generally all over the world. These western powers were ecstatic when the 'Unified Maoists' disintegrated, demobilized and de-revolutionized the Maoist army.
4. The Indian interference in Nepal was political and direct, whereas the interference from the western powers was more covert and indirect. India used its bureaucracy and political parties to dictate terms and to influence governance in Nepal. However, the western powers used their ambassadors in a sober-looking ways when there is utmost need. Otherwise, they used the 'holy cow', the so-called civil society. Generally, the syndicate and its participating parties, leaders and collaborators in the bureaucracy made the loot of governmental resources, whereas the 'civil society' chieftains and their collaborators primarily grabbed bilateral, multilateral and non-governmental resources. In this way, many dollar-hungry 'civil society' chieftains, greed-guided intellectuals and "ready-to-be-auctioned" professionals contributed immensely in the process of shattering the dream of a New Nepal.
5. The impact of making politics an industry, which could be profitably run without investing a single penny and the process of mass politicization, became infectious. Even the government employees started becoming flag bearers and card-holding slogan mongers of different parties. Politics became an instrument that empowers any thug or dacoit or robber or murderer. The politicians at leadership positions of nearly all parties became merchants of all sorts of illegal transactions, protector of dons and masters of deceit. Hence, politics got a bad name and positive political change in Nepal became nearly unattainable.

The factors discussed above created an environment where frustration, helplessness and surrender became the ruling thought processes of people. In this way, Nepali people, brave and wise, started to believe themselves as powerless. This is the most damaging impact of the acts and actions of the ruling elitist oligarchy. Their syndicated politics, corrupt practices and never ending lies made the situation worst. Many 'civil society' chieftains and their associates added fuel to this fire of anarchy. Some intellectuals and professional saw opportunity to fish in this flood. Hence, the situation got messy, completely messy.

Now, the situation demands concrete, decisive, brave and thoughtful departure from this anarchy. A few political forces, social organizations and popular movements are still available. They could start, strengthen and ensure effectively the process of detachment from this messy and anarchic situation and could take the nation and people to a glorious phase in our history.

There are four types of forces, which could play vital positive roles in this process of turn around. These forces include but not limited to the forces mentioned below.

1) Revolutionary forces like CPN – M.

2) Federalist forces like Sanghiya Samajbadi Party.

3) Nationalist forces like Rastriya Jana Morcha. Even, the nationalists within former Pancha's parties could play positive role in strengthening national unity.

4) Social forces like Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities.

If these four types of forces unitedly or otherwise but resolutely organize mass movements, popular rebellion or resistance movements; they could throw away the ongoing anarchy, injustices and deceits imposed by the elitist oligarchic syndicate. The election of the Constituent Assembly declared by the syndicate could be utilized to further the cause of the transformational course, but the election alone will neither make the nation strong nor empowers thepeople. The unified movement alone could free Nepal from foreign dictates, covert rule and other adventures. Now, probably, this is only course available to restart the stalled transformational process, which could really lead us to attain the goal of a New Nepal, a shinning Nepal.