SPONSORED REGIME AND INTERVIEW FOR INDIA'S CHIEF OF 'NEPAL PROJECT'

Posted by The Himalayan Voice:

[Few months ago in a private conversation, an Indian professor told me that replacing Baburam had been a very difficult job to do so far. However, it was necessary from the Indo-Nepal relationship perspective. The controversial role of his wife, his questionable tolerance in cases of corruption and Indian government's over use of him, created this unwanted situation. Therefore, India was inviting leaders for necessary discussions. The professor also told that was a Delhi Durbar interview of shortlisted candidates for CEO - 'Chief Executive Officer' or 'Project Manager' to run the ongoing 'Nepal Project'.  You may see delighted faces of those 'shortlisted candidates' who seem, as if, they have just come out worshiping Goddess Sonia Gandhi(Please see the above photograph of Sushil Koirala, Prakash Man Singh and Krishna Sitaula with Sonia Gandhi) and getting words of wisdom from Guru Prime Minister Man Mohan Singh; their polite speeches of gratitude and the actions that follow in Kathmandu, we now can certainly understand how much sovereign are Nepalese people actually ?]

(The Chief Executive Officer  is also called the honourable Prime Minister of Nepal)

By Govinda Neupane

Initially, I was literally taken aback by seeing many Nepali leaders lining up to see many chiefs at the Delhi Durbar. Why were they here competing against each other in this endeavor?

Is Nepal virtually a de-facto protectorate of India? Many believe it is so. In the 21st century, the characteristics of a certain colony and colonization have changed. Now, they have established a sponsored regime that run the protectorate or the colony as independent government. The sponsored regime works on the order of the master. The orders pass through mostly clandestinely.   

I do not blame India for establishing or fostering or arranging such a relationship with Nepal. This has happened, primarily, not because of Indian design, but because the result of the mentality and actions of Nepalese people's leaders.

During the Rana rule, Nepal was completely isolated from outside world, though there were formal relations with some countries. During its last days in 1950, the Rana Prime Minister Mohan Sumsher signed the 'Treaty of Peace and Friendship' with India. But, he failed to convince Delhi Durbar and could not be the first chief of the sponsored regime in Nepal irrespective of being Prime Minister for some time.

Tribhuvan and his company gave India the first real opportunity in 1950 to get involved in the strategic decision making processes related to the internal affairs of Nepal. Hence, Tribhuvan, in my assessment, is not the 'Father of Nation', but had become the first chief of an Indian sponsored regime.  

Mahendra tried to take an independent course consolidating power in hand and so did Birendra also. They did it, primarily, for their own interests as they believed, India would have Nepali Congress leaders at the helm and not the kings if there was any such opportunity. Hence, they distanced themselves from India for their own sake. The end result was somehow positive in regard to Nepal's nationalism. Again, in 1990 a sponsored regime came into existence, and this time, Girija Prasad Koiral replaced Tribhuvan after a gap of about 36 years.

The sponsored regime continued till Gyanedra snatched power in 2002. Again after the 2006 people movement, the sponsored regime took over after a brief gap of about 3 and half years. And, now, the patronized regime is functioning with its full force.

It has become very interesting to delve all squarely into the question why would Nepal have so many sponsored regimes after the three mass movements of 1950, 1990 and 2006? This could be another topic for a serious study  of political science for the students of Indo-Nepal relations.

The third sponsored regime, which came into existence after 2006 mass movement had been the most ambitious, ready-to-go to any lengths and least accountable to Nepali people. The regime's leaders were ready to barter anything for three Ps - for their position, power and pelf.

Girija Prasad Koirala and his company offered its services to India effectively and unquestionably. He was instrumental in creating the anarchic situation just after 2006, which is continuing till todate. He, in company with Pracanda-Baburam and Jhalanath-KP Oli groups made the interim arrangements in such a way that opened Pandora's Box for hundreds of anarchic acts, actions and 'aspirations' so to say. This troika (UCPN-M : United Communist Party of Nepal- Maoist, NC: Nepali Congress, UML: Unified Marxist Leninist ) increased seat numbers in the the disbanded Constituent Assembly to 601. They are responsible to manufacture hundreds of 'martyrs', many among them died in road accidents, gang fights, family quarrels and so forth. By providing one million rupees to each deceased and declaring them 'martyrs', they simply made the word "martyr" disrespectful in all respects.

The Himalayan Times Photo

Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala (2nd from L)‚ Chairperson of India's 

ruling United Progressive Alliance Sonia Gandhi (C)‚ Congress I leader 

Karan Singh (L)‚ NC General Secretary Prakash Man Singh (2nd from R) 

and NC General Secretary Krishna Sitaula (R) pose for photograph after a 

meeting in Gandhi's office in New Delhi . 

Girija Prasad Koirala was replaced by Prachanda and the latter's successors were replaced again by A, B, C, and Ds etc. But the fundamental character, role and functioning remained the same. They became champions in the areas of corruption that has flourished in an unprecedented and alarming scale and magnitude in the country. These cases of corruptions included billions of rupees appropriated for the upkeep of former Maoist fighters and cantonments in which they were virtually imprisoned. The lives of 'former fighters' and the poor condition of the cantonments are tell-all stories. Then, where did the money make its way? Do we know it ? No, we do not at all. But the glittering bungalows, heavy bank accounts and rosy cheeks of the former Maoist (now Unified Maoists) leaders speak volumes about the whereabouts of the money. The Sudan scandal made the Sitaulas or in other words, Sitaula and his Congress comrades richer and  so seems to be the case with UML leaders also. This sponsored regime has only 'one authority' to be accountable to the Delhi Durbar. Perhaps, Delhi Durbar likes seeing majestic bungalows, elephantine bank balance and rosy cheeks of its 'beloved Nepali Bahadurs'.

Among the troika, Baburam Bhattarai was considered the most pro-India leader and still he is understood that way. However, his popularity nose-dived and India reached to the conclusion that he is no more an asset. India wanted to fathom the willingness and ability of other available leaders to fill the position of India's point person in Nepal who would replace Baburam.

There were five shortlisted leaders  – K P Oli, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, The Prachand himself, Sher Bahadur Deuba, Madhav Kumar Nepal and Sushil Koirala.

The Delhi Durbar considers Jahalanath Khanal and Ram Chandra Poudel as dry and skinless sticks of a jute plant called "Sunthi" in Nepali.

Few months ago in a private conversation, an Indian professor told me that replacing Baburam had been a very difficult job to do so far. However, it was necessary from the Indo-Nepal relationship perspective. The controversial role of his wife, his questionable tolerance in cases of corruption and Indian government's over use of him, created this unwanted situation. Therefore, India was inviting leaders for necessary discussions. The professor also told that was a Delhi Durbar interview of shortlisted candidates for CEO - 'Chief Executive Officer' or 'Project Manager' to run the ongoing 'Nepal Project'.  You may see delighted faces of those 'shortlisted candidates' who seem, as if, they have just come out worshiping Goddess Sonia Gandhi(Please see the above photograph of Sushil Koirala, Prakash Man Singh and Krishna Sitaula with Sonia Gandhi) and getting words of wisdom from Guru Prime Minister Man Mohan Singh; their polite speeches of gratitude and the actions that follow in Kathmandu, we now can certainly understand how much sovereign are Nepalese people actually ?

People generally say, "Shame on these leaders, who sold Nepal!" I shall add, "Shame on us, the Nepalese people, who have been tolerating this all, for this long!"

http://thehimalayanvoice.blogspot.com/ 

NEPAL: SYNDICALISM, ELECTION PHANTOM AND THE LISTLESS PEOPLE

Posted by The Himalayan Voice:

[Issue-wise also, federalism will emerge as the main agenda once again. This will create problem for the Khas-Aryans dominated syndicate. The genuine federalist forces will bring the ethnic or indigenous nationality dimension to the forefront of the debate. The issue of identity, once again, will bring out thousands of people to the streets. The opponents also will raise their voices. The syndicate has no intention settling the issue democratically. Therefore, the syndicate is neither interested nor ready to hold any elections.]

By Govinda Neupane

In its interesting but not so cherished recent history, Nepal has been continuously changing its seating places between fire and frying pan. Rana aristocracy was replaced by King's indirect (1950-1959) and direct (1960-1989) dictatorial regimes. From 1990 to 2002, the amateurish or in other way opportunist amalgamation of parliamentary forces promoted a notorious political culture that included elitist anarchy, lawlessness, corruption and never ending lust for power. 

When these parliamentary forces turned into villains overtly, the king and his forces 'dethroned' them and snatched power. Nepal, once again was under the firm grip of the resurgent dictatorial monarchy (2002-2006). The king, who was already under the scanner for his notorious activities, did more damage to Nepal's standing and national interests also. People revolted against him. As the result, the infamous parliamentary forces in company with the Maoists got the throne back. As usual, they did everything wrong – elitist anarchy, corruption, loot, promotion of power-hungry culture, lawlessness and etc. They staged several politically vulgar dramas including the proposal of promulgating a new constitution through elected constituent assembly (CA). Once, they held elections, formed assembly, spent several billions of rupees and finally destroyed everything by disbanding the CA without producing a new constitution.

Once again, people are asked to line up to cast their votes in November this year for a new CA. For this purpose the ruling elite, the four party syndicate (an illegal de facto government) has formed an Election Council (government without any right to make executive decisions independently). The syndicate has put in place the Election Commission by employing its nominees on shared basis. The Election Commission has registered the voters by now. On surface, it seems that the syndicate and its offspring, the Council of Ministers and Commission are busy to organize the CA election on time. These are visible elephant tusks but the chewing teeth are deep inside invisible.

Why would the syndicate be so genuinely interested in organizing an election? There are no valid reasons. All the leaders of the constituents of the syndicate are enjoying royal status, privileges and perks without being accountable to anyone. They have power to make any governmental decisions using their pawns and proxies.  At their whim, they can use air ambulances to lift them up to Delhi and Singapore or could make 'health' trips to US or Singapore or Japan on state expenses. They could appoint any hooligan to any position of power (e.g. Man Singh). In this way, they are not interested to stage the election on the basis of individual preferences.

As a collective entity, the syndicate has four constituent integral parts. Among them, the Nepali Congress is a loose network of liberal interests. They neither know about their philosophy nor their organizational strengths nor even their standing among parties. They have no idea what happens if the elections take place. Hence, neither they are ready nor they want taking any risks. The UML is a clever fox. It has begun talking loud and beautiful. It projects itself as the Messiah of people and nation as well. More recently, taking pieces of working notes from dustbins and  reassembling them, it has started to make loud claim that it will win 106 out of 240 seats (directly elected) in the new CA. It is happy to say that Nepali Congress will win 86 and Unified Maoists 28. This tall claim alone tells a lot about its seriousness on the issue of election.  The Unified Maoist party has been vertically divided into two and its house is not in order. Certainly, they know that there may not be miracle everyday in their favor and this time, it may happen against them. The split, factionalism of unprecedented nature and overt rage of people against them, and particularly against its top brass have heralded them a message to go to the elections as late as possible, if it is a must and never organize election, if it is a choice. The Madhesi forces under the loose network called Madhesi Morcha neither commands respect among Madhesi people nor it may enjoy the same status, privilege and perks as it does enjoy today. Hence, they are interested in clinging to power rather than facing the angry electorate.

Issue-wise also, federalism will emerge as the main agenda once again. This will create problem for the Khas-Aryans dominated syndicate. The genuine federalist forces will bring the ethnic or indigenous nationality dimension to the forefront of the debate. The issue of identity, once again, will bring out thousands of people to the streets. The opponents also will raise their voices. The syndicate has no intention settling the issue democratically. Therefore, the syndicate is neither interested nor ready to hold any elections in the country.

The bureaucrats, enjoying the prestige of the positions of ministers are willing to prolong their terms as much longer as possible. These are warm winter sunny days - their heydays in life. The Almighty has blessed them with this golden opportunity and they will try with every possible means to prolong the term period to remain blessed. Hence, they would be even happier, when the date gets changed and extended every six months or so.

The President and his deputy will also gain from the extension of election dates as they would continue enjoying 'royal treatments' happily till replacements become available. And, the replacements will only be there, when the constitution is ready and elections are held for the positions of the President and his deputy.

The opposition lead by Maoist Party has seen this as an opportunity to expand their mass as well as organizational base. If the syndicate prolongs the election date, the Maoists may gain more as the ruling syndicate will be forced out of the rural areas due to their unpopularity and anger of the people. It appears that the Maoist Party has done simple arithmetic already. Their math is that when the forces of the syndicate vanish, the Maoists will automatically replace them. And, to some extent that has been happening there.

Now, many observers outside Kathmandu share their assessments and opinions that the (Dash) Maoist Party or popularly known also as the 'Baidhya Party' has emerged stronger in many rural clusters. The Maoist party and their mathematical indicators have emboldened them to beat the drum against elections. Whereas both the newly formed Federal Democratic Party and 'Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum, Nepal' appear undecided. They are evaluating the cost and benefit. All these acts and actions are providing fodder to the syndicate to unroll apprehensions against organizing the elections.

The great neighbors – India and China are watching with some interests of their own. While the fluid political situation prolongs in Nepal, India believes that it could harvest more benefits. China is in a weaker position there. Tibet is its core component in diplomacy with Nepal. Hence, India has sided with or even gave birth to the syndicate with a motive of prolonging political fluidity in the tiny Himalayan nation. On the other hand, China seems to have pushed the oppositions: both the Maoists and royalists to open dialogue. It again seems that China is doing so and so with the syndicate and doing some business with Baidhya also. Hence, both India and China are not that excited about Nepal having elections anytime soon.

The European Communities and the international NGOs are getting a fertile land to promote or rather impose their values, beliefs and culture over Nepali society through their 'foster children' called NGOs. They are happy to play in this muddy water. The UN and its system agencies may be happy that they have a project area where their bureaucrats could stay in a paradise on earth without any hardship or risks. Probably, this is one of the most preferred destinations for the UN bureaucrats to have a duty station. For the Americans, Nepal is, perhaps, a tiny particle. Hence, they have outsourced the task of taking care of their interests in Nepal to India, Europe, INGOs and UN. In this way, the international players may not have any wishes that help settle the political dust down here.

And, who wants to have elections? They may be Nepali people, who are the most frustrated, angered and powerless lot now. Who cares them? Hence, for now, I think, the proposed election is just a phantom or mirage - an optical illusion caused by atmospheric conditions. Why all these dramas then? The illusion has been created just to camouflage the ill intents of the beneficiaries, particularly that of the syndicate. Till the syndicate survives, there is little chance of new elections taking place in the country. Therefore, dissolution of the syndicate effectively and introduction of provisions that provide a level-playing field may be the pre-conditions for the election.

* The author is one of the contributors to The Himalayan Voice. He is an independent political thinker of Nepal and whose Nepalko Jatiy Prashn (Ethnic Issues of Nepal - 2000) has already become one of the bestsellers in the country. He also supports the idea of identity of the people within a federalism system in Nepal.

http://thehimalayanvoice.blogspot.com/2013/07/nepal-syndicalism-election-phantom-and.html 

I have re-posted the article above. Thank You The Himalayan Voice!

Nepal Now: A Cursory Look on Major Areas of Achievements and Failures

Nepal Now: A Cursory Look on Major Areas of Achievements and Failures

Govinda Neupane

Areas of Achievements

Nepal has done fairly well in areas of mass communication. We have highest number of FM radio stations in South Asia, many TV channels, large percentage of people have telephone access, particularly the spread of mobile phones. Internet has been gaining popularity each day.

Banking is another sector where Nepal has built a network of financial institutions and services capable of meeting needs of a large percentage of people. The informal network of remit centers and its service of remittance handling have created a cobweb of future banking activities, particularly that of micro-transactions. The major banks including in private sector are run professionally and profitably.

The education infrastructure built by the private sector has been catering fairly quality education, though it is too expensive for ordinary people. However, the intakes of children in these institutions have made space available for children of low income families in the government-run education institutions. Rather than launching movement for improvement of education quality in government schools and for affordable fee structure in private schools, our political parties and their sister organizations are busy over-politicizing teachers and students in government schools and extracting donations from and threatening the private schools to close down.

Similarly, mushrooming of health service delivery institutions including medical colleges, public health teaching institutions, nursing colleges, private hospitals, nursing homes, polyclinics and clinics have created fairly well infrastructure for health services. The government institutions are also a bit functioning in this sector compared to education sector, may be due to public pressures. In any case, the health sector has been functioning well baring remote areas, though there is not much vibrancy.

The participation of Nepali migrant workers in the labor market of different countries, particularly the Gulf countries, Malaysia and South Korea has opened a major source of foreign earning in the form of remittance. The remittance income has been fueling the financial viability of different activities in Nepal mostly in education, health and real estate. The World Bank has estimated that Nepal receives more than 23% of its GDP from remittance. There are thousands of sad stories of the hardship the workers face each day. Hence, the ethical dimension and sustainability of such source of income is always subject of fierce debate. Just limiting to financial part, it has been insulating Nepal from being a failed state. The fighting for survival in harsh physical and social condition but still hard working Nepali migrant workers deserve salute from us in Nepal.

Transport is another area where we have done fairly well. Roads are our gems that we have created. Nearly all District Headquarters are connected by the road network. Though, the quality of roads is quite sub-standard in a large majority of roadways, at least, there has been the first break through. The airports, private sector airlines, bus and truck services all are making lives of people connected and are creating thousands of market places where millions of people are employed in informal sectors or are self-employed.

Nepal could compete with many countries who are welcoming large number of tourists. Our hospitality services industry, which includes hotels, restaurants, travel and tour agencies, international connectivity and so on are functioning well.

Areas Where We Lag Behind

The agricultural sector is still the major employment generator. However, it has neither been made commercially viable employment and productivity option nor has it been modernized. Moreover, the labor flight from agriculture to foreign destinations and urban centers has made this important sector an orphan. We are still continuing the practices of subsistence agriculture. We should learn to switch to cash crops and commercial farming. Our hills and mountains could function as diamond mines in the form of horticulture and floriculture farms and also as major source of timber and other forest produces. But, we are happy growing the economically not-so-viable paddy and corn. The southern plains could really be our bread basket provided we adopted new agriculture technologies. In this sector, we are far behind.

Similarly, we have not been able to harness water resources available in abundance. The country of vast hydro-power potentials has been suffering from power cuts of several hours everyday. We are hungry to get electricity to consume whereas we should be selling electricity to China through northern grid and to India through southern grid. Here, we have failed miserably.

Manufacturing is an area where we have done extremely poorly. Inadequate infrastructure, power outage and labor unrest have limited its potentials. Competing with the giant neighbors, China and India is also a tall order. Here, we should be selective. Going for anything and many things may lead us to nowhere. Success here depends upon our ability in being correctly selective.

Priorities and Focus Areas

Now, it has become clear that our future depends on how we could educate our people. When we talk about education it refers to overall development of human capacities of our people. Hence, quality education should be our number ONE priority.

To provide enabling environment so that people get better education and also contribute in areas of production and services, there must be a well functioning and quality health delivery infrastructure and allied support services.

Wealth creation is another key area. This wealth creation should include common properties such as physical and social infrastructures and means and methods for economic prosperity. By now, it has become clear that commercial farming including horticulture, floriculture, herbs cultivation, animal farms and other cash generating produces should get attention.

Multipurpose utilization of water resources including generating electricity and locally consuming for households, industries and transport systems and also exporting it, providing irrigation facilities, bottling water and exporting etc is what we should go for. This could be the backbone of our economy.

Another focus should be on tourism including hospitality business. Tourism has become already a milking cow for us. Lumbini, Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) and many other majestic mountain peaks, cultural and architectural wonders of the glorious valley of Kathmandu and the natural panorama and scenic beauties spread all over Nepal are the treasures, which only we have in the entire world. These treasures make us special.

Many other small things we can do with difference such as handicrafts, IT services, transit trade between India and China, etc.

We could and should make better and brighter future. And, for this aim, we should clear the political mess that we are in today. Let's dare to clear the mess and let's march forward to build a prosperous Nepal, where well educated, healthy and enterprising Nepali people may live happily.

June 07, 2013

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.

Nepal on Reverse Gear Ephemerally

Govinda Neupane

The recent developments have derailed several progressive political, social and economic processes, which could have played significant roles in shaping the nation's future. The most critical processes included social inclusion, state restructuring, building local democracy and strengthening economic capacities. 

Social Inclusion

The important issue here is to develop common understanding about the groups, sections and nationalities that are excluded and marginalized. Since the mass movement of April 2006, the process of identification of such groups had been accelerated. During the last days of the dissolved Constituent Assembly, the discussion had picked up. However, a planned or unplanned Khas-led conspiracy that resulted to the demise of the Constituent Assembly without drafting a new constitution aborted this hugely important process that had been in full swing. The Khas leaders particularly who were running the government succeeded in sidelining one of the most critical issue of inclusion, which is multiculturalism. Together with multiculturalism, they derailed other attempts that were basically addressing the issues of social justice in relation to gender, marginalized sections including the status of Dalits. These issues could have very well addressed by accelerating the process of social inclusion. But that did not move that way.
State Restricting

Federalism certainly will function as an accommodative model of governance. It could provide the framework to decentralize power and could make the grassroots level empowered. The unitary Khas-led polity that was introduced during the early years of Nepal's emergence as a unified nation got serious challenge from the supporters and advocates of federalism. The Khas elites, who were either overtly favouring unitary polity or covertly helping such idea brought the issue of differing state modules and started quarrelling on numbers of states to be carved out rather than going for devolving power to lower structurEs of state functions. The Unified Maoists were at the centre stage from where thick confusion ruled out the idea, processes and actions and made the issue of vital importance redundant.

Building Local Democracy

The local level institutions including Village Development Committees (VDCs) and municipalities bear such sign boards but neither they are VDCs nor municipalities. They are simple extensions of the occupiers of the seat of power at Kathmandu. They are being run by bureaucrats for years. Rather than making such grassroots level institutions responsive to people's needs and forming them through people's participation by organizing local elections, the big parties used them as instruments to collaborate and share the booty. Instead of building local democracy, the politicians at the helm made local democracy a joke.

Strengthening Economic Capacities

Nepal has become virtually a labor supplier. The highly educated professionals are running out of the country as opportunities are shrinking here. The unskilled or semi-skilled labourers are also going out in thousands in number every year. Remittance has become the life-support-system of Nepalese economy. The industries have been closing down due to no power supply, never ending labour unrest and sky-high rate and range of corruption. Talking loud of water resource and making it a tool to hang in power by pleasing the benefactors has been practised. In the name of expanding roads and beautifying cities and towns, billions of Rupees have gone out of government coffer whereas people in remote and rural areas are dying due to no availability of Paracitamol or due to lack of purchasing power of the people of the most economically weaker sections. This way, the hope of strengthening economic capacities has been dashed out.

Why All This Happened?

It is one of the most difficult questions to answer. Till a few years ago, I had been tirelessly sharing with friends that a leader like Baburam Bhattarai, a party like Maoist and a country like Nepal when come together, there could be magic. The synergy would be unthinkable. Nepal would be free of corruption, the tempo of national development would be unparallel and justice would prevail everywhere. In justice, I used to include the issue of social inclusion through mainstreaming marginalized sections and incorporating multiculturalism and federalism. Now, all three are together but the country is marching to opposite direction using all the power of a reverse gear. Is this Bhattarai's personal failure? Is this the failure of the Unified Maoist Party? Is this the failure of Nepal as a nation as we failed to produce better leaders and better parties? In retrospection, I realized that I underestimated the influence of governing social and political values on an individual or on a party. When time came, not the external hero but the internal villain came out of Baburam Bhattarai and in company with other upper class Khas elites he played the decisive role in killing the Constituent Assembly. This act alone derailed the progressive processes mentioned earlier. The same happened to corruption. Those who are at the helm of the state affairs, both in the government or in the opposition, spent their time and energy to accumulate wealth by all means – legitimate or illegitimate, retail or wholesale. Making the state bankrupt and making themselves lavishly rich is what all are busy with except a small number of leaders and cadres.

Then What?

When nation weeps, people weep together. When nation fails, people also fail accordingly. The water starts boiling, when it reaches 100 degree Celsius.

The power struggle that too to occupy the chairs of the ministers or prime minister has angered people immensly. The temperature has reached close to the boiling point. The scale and intensity of corruption, ever weakening law and order situation resulting to higher crime graph, unprecedented price rise and weakening patriotism to its low are creating motivational infrastructure for people's rebellion. People as individuals are powerless. However, as collectives, they are the most powerful lot.  The signals are clear now. Beware leaders and parties!