Dr. Baburam Bhattarai Stays On-Part 38

(Not Trading Democracy For Position Of Prime Minister)
Siddhi B Ranjitkar

The Central Working Committee (CWC) of the NC has decided that the NC would not trade democracy for the office of prime minister. However, the NC leaders have been pushing the head of state to fire the current government elected by the parliament, and then turn over the office of the prime minister to one of the leaders of the NC but the head of state has refused to do so, so far. To this end, the NC and the CPN-UML said that they along with the like-minded small parties would hit the roads so that the head of state would have sufficient ground to fire the current government. Thus, they are in the verge of trading democracy for the most undemocratic combat.

After the opposition coalition of the NC and the CPN-UML refused to accept the offer of the ruling coalition of the UCPN-Maoist and the UDMF to join in the government and jointly hold elections to a new CA, the ruling coalition has been trying to build a consensus government offering various options to the opposition coalition but the opposition coalition has failed to accept any of those offers but has firmly taken the stand on the demand for the resignation of the current government and then form a consensus government under the NC. It is hard to guess how the opposition coalition could form a consensus national government refusing to cooperate with the ruling coalition on forming a national consensus government.

The opposition coalition of the NC and the CPN-UML does not want to accept the fact that the current government is democratically elected government, and it holds even majority among the political parties but they have been saying that this government has no authority to hold elections to a new CA, and to stay on in power even for a moment. They don’t say what kind of government has the rights to stay in power but they demand the current government to quit the office and then form a national consensus government.

Tearing down the democratically elected government and forming a national consensus government is what they want. It is fine; let us build a consensus; for building a consensus, all political parties need to come to a common understanding on all political matters that have been discussed, and needed to resolve them, says the ruling coalition.

The literary meaning of a consensus government is the government accepted by all political parties, the ruling coalition says. The four major political forces such as UCPN-Maoist, NC, CPN-UML, and UDMF have to agree on a common candidate for leading a new government. So, the opposition coalition demanding to form a consensus government needs to build a consensus on such a candidate. To this end, they need to work with the current ruling parties. If we were to believe in the media reports, the ruling coalition of the UCPN-Maoist and the UDMF has been for agreeing on a package deal before building a consensus on such a candidate and then turning over the power to the NC-led government.

Again according to the media reports, the ruling coalition says that the package deal contains building a consensus on all contentious issues of a new constitution, setting a date for holding elections to a new CA, removing all legal hurdles to the elections, and accepting to fill out all the vacant positions at the constitutional bodies and the judiciary. Some of the contentious issues are the federalism and federal states.

The NC leaders have proposed north-south division of the country into five states, the CPN-UML wants to increase the number to seven and then nine and so on but they are not for giving full autonomy to the states. The UCPN-Maoist and the UDMF together have proposed 11 states, and give full autonomy to the states. What the NC and the CPN-UML have proposed have been just the repetition of the past system that did not encompass all the ethnic groups, Madheshis and Nepalis in general. So, the ethnic groups and the Madheshis did not accept the federal system and federal states proposed by the NC and the CPN-UML, as they did not encompass the federalism and federal states that would give autonomy to the states, and would allow the ethnic groups including the Madheshis to set their destiny as they would like.

The coalition of the UCPN-Maoist and the UDMF wanted to take all the contentious issues concerning a new constitution to the CA elected for crating a new constitution, and decide every contentious issues by the two-thirds majority votes but the so-called democratic and parliamentary parties such as the NC and the CPN-UNL refused to follow the most democratic process of deciding the contentious issues by the two-thirds majority but let the CA end without crafting a new constitution.

Seeing the political parties have been lingering over building a consensus on a unity government and then holding elections to a new CA to complete the crating of a new constitution and institutionalizing the federalism and federal states as aspired by the people, President Dr Ram Baran Yadav set the deadline of seven days for building a consensus on forming a unity government on November 23, 2012 but the political parties could do nothing but talk. Then, the president extended the deadline until December 6, 2012. By this time, the NC could select its candidate for a new prime minister but could not build a consensus on forming a new government. The president has extended the deadline until December 12, 2012 but the political leaders have not been able to build a consensus on a new government. On December 13, 2012, the president extended the deadline for another five days for the political parties to agree on a consensus candidate for a new prime minister.

The ruling coalition of the UCPN-Maoist and the UDMF has clearly told the opposition coalition of the NC and the CPN-UML that let us agree on a package deal that encompasses the whole political issues and resolves all of them once for all. However, the opposition coalition is not for resolving the contentious issues but wants to build a consensus on the candidate they put forward for a new prime minister. Thus, the NC and the CPN-UML have not shown the respect for the most democratic means of reaching an agreement that is negotiation. They did not want to negotiate anything but want to have the power.

Probably, not negotiating any politically contentious issues and resolving them democratically but demanding to make their candidate a prime minister is what they call democracy. So, they don’t want to trade such democracy for the position of a new prime minister in other words they want the office of a prime minister not going through the democratic process. What kind of democracy the NC and the CPN-UML leaders have on their mind they don’t want to trade for any democratic process. Is it not a funny to say such things?

The NC leaders don’t want to trade their democracy for the position of the office of a new prime minister but want to trade it for the president to fire the current democratically elected government and then turn over the power to them otherwise they are for hitting the roads to topple the government. NC junior leader Dr Ram Sharan Mahat said that the President should nominate a new prime minister for a national consensus government if the political parties were to fail in doing so within the extended deadline. Chairman of CPN-UML Jhalanath Khanal has alerted his cadres to hit the roads for toppling the current government.

How naive politically the NC and the CPN-UML leaders have been has shown by their undemocratic mindset and consequently their combative actions. They should know that if they were to succeed to demolish the democratically elected government and put themselves in power; then the other parties would do the same thing to get back to the power. So, the street protests would tear down one government and then install another one only to provoke street protests again to dismiss the government and set up another one. Thus, theoretically such endless street protests and dismissal of government and formation of a new one continue if the democracy of the NC and the CPN-UML is to follow.

Clearly, pushing the president to dismiss the current government, and turning over the power to them, the NC and the CPN-UML leaders have been showing disregard for universally accepted ideals and values of democracy, and disrespecting the Interim Constitution of Nepal of 2007 that has made the provision for the president to act only following the recommendations of the prime minister. The NC leaders want the president step out of the constitutional boundary and do everything they want. This is what their democracy is; certainly they don’t want to trade it for the office of prime minister. However, they want to have the office of prime minister keeping their democracy. That is possible only making the president dictator. Thus, the democracy of the NC is for leading the country to a dictatorial system.

Even now, the coalition of the UCPN-Maoist and the UDMF has the majority whether the opposition coalition of the NC and the CPN-UML likes it or not. If the NC and the CPN-UML leaders keep aside their democracy and follow the democracy in the real sense and meaning, then they should realize that they have only one option to go to the polls for electing a new CA, and for forming a new government of any political party or the coalition of parties that hold a majority. This is what the real democracy is but the NC leaders that have been claiming to be working for democracy have failed to understand it.

Some of these political guys need to go back to schools take some lessons on political science and learn more about democracy, as they have defined democracy wrongly. The state-run Tribhuvan University (TU) has many able political science teachers but some of them are members of one party or another. However, they don’t talk as the Nepalese lawyers belonging to different political parties talk differently and define every bits and pieces of law and even constitution as fit to their respective party. So, most of the Nepalis don’t have the respect for what the Nepalese so-called constitutional experts and members of Nepal Bar Association talk about and behave. University teachers are better in their political standing than the Nepalese lawyers. We hope that these political science teachers would teach our hopelessly illiterate politicians what is democracy that could not be treated as a commodity to trade for something.

On December 8, 2012, Chairman of the UCPN-Maoist Prachanda said that there was no alternative for parties to following the 12-point understanding and working together once again or else the country would plunge into disaster. “The question is whether partners in the 12-point understanding have separated. Fighting each other will only help regressive forces so those supporting and opposing the 12-point understanding must be polarized,” Prachanda told the annual general meeting of Kathmandu chapter of the Federation of Nepali Journalists. Meanwhile, UCPN-Maoist spokesman Agni Sapkota alleged at a press briefing that the NC and the CPN-UML leadership were against change. “Government leadership is not the issue. It is the fight between proponents and opponents of change,” he said adding, “Agreement was delayed because the NC and the CPN-UML were dominated by leaders who did not want change.” He also said that the NC and the CPN-UML were forcing his party to surrender, but his party wouldn’t abandon the agenda of change. On elections slated for April/May, he said the polls scheduled for November 22 did not happen because of the non-cooperation of opposition parties and the President, and the same reason could foil the newly scheduled election as well. He further said his party suspected that the NC and the CPN-UML were planning to finish all the achievements made by the Nepalese people as they have been saying they wouldn’t accept change and everything should begin from zero. (Source: HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE, December 8, 2012)

Speaking at the annual general meeting of the Safal Savings and Credit Cooperatives Limited in Nuwakot on Saturday, December 8, 2012, NC junior leader and former finance minister Dr Ram Sharan Mahat has opined that the President should nominate a new prime minister for a national consensus government if the political parties failed to do so within the extended deadline. "The President should not become a mute spectator to the nation's political scenario as the 'caretaker' government is turning against the rule of law," he said. (Source: RSS/thehimalayantimes.com, December 8, 2012)

Unfortunately, Dr. Mahat is an economist turned into a politician has difficulty in understanding the rule of law. So, his rule of law has been different from the universally accepted the rule of law. If Dr. Mahat understands ‘the rule of law’ correctly, he probably would not ask the president to nominate a new prime minister, as it goes against the Interim Constitution of Nepal of 2007. Appointing a new prime minister by the president means going against the supreme statute of the country. This is what Dr. Mahat is calling ‘the rule of law’ erroneously.

Talking to reporters at the Biratnagar Airport on Saturday, December 8, 2012, Chairperson of CPN-UML Jhalanath Khanal said that the NC and the CPN-UML would create an environment to form a new government by unseating the current one through agitation, as there was a slim chance of a political consensus because of the ruling parties not willing to reach an agreement. Khanal said, “the ruling parties are challenging us to find out an outlet through politics and we would not lag behind to respond to this.” He stressed that there was no alternative to the parties except for hitting the streets against the ruling parties since the country would not get an outlet until the formation of a national consensus government. (Source: RSS/thehimalayantimes.com, December 8, 2012)

Apparently, Chairman Khanal wanted to settle the political issues through the street protests without thinking what other political parties would do, once they succeeded to form their national consensus government. Obviously, other political parties would simply follow the same path and unseat the government causing political chaos. Chairman Khanal having such a dubious idea of the political phenomena, managed to be the chairman of the CPN-UML surely by rigging the elections, as accused by his rival KP Oli of adding 500 dubious votes to Khanal.

On December 9, 2012, the NC said that it would not reach a deal with the UCPN-Maoist at the cost of democracy and the party’s roadmap that envisages forming an NC-led consensus government for the fresh CA polls. The party arrived at this conclusion after its Central Working Committee (CWC) members urged the leadership not to undermine democratic principles for the prime minister’s position. “We cannot barter the PM’s position with democracy and our stance in favor of a fresh mandate for constitution-writing,” NC CWC member Arjun Narsingh KC said at the end of the CWC held at the party headquarters in Sanepa. The meeting held in the wake of the UCPN-Maoist-led coalition’s fresh proposal to build a consensus on contents of the constitution before turning over the power to the NC, concluded that the party should not enter into any prior agreement on the contents of the constitution for landing the PM’s position. “Striking a deal on contents of the constitution before fresh CA polls is tantamount to undermining the people’s mandate, so we will not go for it,” KC said. The CWC, according to KC, concluded that the Maoist party had floated the fresh proposal to remain in power and end the chances of holding fresh CA polls in April-May. “The Maoist party has betrayed us by not keeping its promise,” the NC leader said. “First it sought the NC to name its prime ministerial candidate, later it came up with a fresh condition.” On the occasion, General Secretary Krishna Prasad Sitaula briefed the CWC about the talks held with the political leaders in a bid to end the political impasse. He, according to sources, said the Maoists are not in a mood to relinquish power, so a decisive movement is a must to topple the ruling coalition. KC said, “The NC will wait until the President-set deadline for consensus-building expires. In the event of failure to reach consensus, the party will have no option but to launch a street-based movement.” (Source: HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE, December 9, 2012)

The so-called democratic political leaders of the NC and the CPN-UML should understand that the street protests are illegal; so, they should resort to such an illegal means to power only when they don’t have the choice of the constitutional means to get to the power. Currently, they have the choice of going to the polls to elect a new CA, and get the mandate from the people. Obviously, they did not want to follow the constitutional means to power but follow the illegal means to fight for power. This is what the NC leaders like to call ‘democracy.’

On Monday, December 10, 2012, addressing the Golden Jubilee function of Surya Jyoti Higher Secondary School in his home district Gorkha, Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai said, "I am not going to be an obstruction to a consensus, but will not resign without an alternative, as stepping down without an alternative will only push the country to a dire situation.” He also said that the elections should be held by mid-May "at any cost". "The country will revert to the situation like that of 2007 (1950) or 2017 (1960) if the polls are not held by then," said he. (Source: nepalnews.com, December 10, 2012)

The Supreme Court has issued a show cause notice to the Office of the President asking it to furnish reasons for not accepting a nomination made by 12 political parties for the post of Prime Minister. The notice comes a few days after 12 fringe political parties registered at the Election Commission, filed an application at the President's Office recommending their candidate to lead a government of national consensus. However President Ram Baran Yadav did not respond to the application, the parties had said in a petition filed at the court. President Yadav has been urging the political parties to name a consensus Prime Minister, at the earliest. (Source: nepalnews.com, December 10, 2012)

The small political parties have been just like the clowns at a circus. They dance to the tune played by the leaders. Now, they have gone to the Supreme Court of Nepal seeking the remedy for their boss not having the office of a new prime minister. Certainly, they have followed the legal means rather than hitting the streets illegally. Their means of dealing the political problems is more democratic than their bosses of larger political parties have been thinking to do. However, their demand for the president appointing a person they have chosen to a new prime minister goes against the Interim Constitution of Nepal of 2007. The Supreme Court of Nepal should have squashed the appeal stating the appeal goes against the Interim Constitution of Nepal of 2007; surprisingly, it has not.

Speaking at an interaction event held by the Rafat Sanchar Club in Bhaktapur on Monday, December 10, 2012, CPN-Maoist Secretary Dev Gurung said scrapping of the announcement of fresh elections to the CA by the president was the best solution to the present political crisis in the country; and there was no alternative to returning to the situation of May 27. The May 27 move of Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai of declaring the election has made the constitutional bodies defunct and the President has no right to reinstate the CA but he holds the right to activate the constitution, he said, urging the President to be active to give an outlet to the nation. The new deadline given by the President to political parties for ensuring a national consensus government will go in vain again if the President does not go back to May 27, he said. He, however, said there was no way except for an agitation to topple the government. The announcement of new election is just an attempt of the government to lengthen its stay in power, claimed Gurung and said the NC and the CPN-UML have been wasting valuable time running after the government. (Source: RSS/thehimalayantimes.com, December 10, 2012)

It is not surprising that the CPN-Maoist secretary has said such politically illogically things, as the CPN-Maoist does not believe in democracy, and wants to grab the power somehow. So, the CPN-Maoist leaders believe that they could do anything to take over the power. 

Speaking at a press conference in Gaindakot, Chitwan on Monday, December 10, 2012, Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai’s chief press advisor Devendra Poudel has said that Prime Minister Dr Bhattarai would not resign from his post until and unless political parties reach a package agreement. Underlining the need for resolving all the political problems in a package, Advisor Poudel said that the Prime Minister would not quit just following the demands of the NC and the CPN-UML for it. Poudel also the UCPN-Maoist politburo member said that his party was committed to ending the country's problems. It would be better for the country if the incumbent government were transformed into a national unity government with the participation of other parties including the NC and the CPN-UML. "The UCPN-Maoist is ready to give portfolios of the important ministries to the Congress and UML, if they agree on party-led government of national consensus," he said, adding that the party was making efforts to ensure consensus within the deadline set by the President. The Prime Minister would be compelled to expand the Cabinet to reduce his workload if the consensus is not possible within the deadline the President has set, said the Prime Minister's press advisor. Currently, the Prime Minister himself is looking after many ministries in the absence of the ministers. (Source: RSS/thehimalayantimes.com. December 10, 2012)

Speaking at a press conference held by the Revolutionary Journalist Association of Palpa in Palpa on Monday, December 10, 2012, Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Top Bahadur Rayamajhi has said that the selection of a new prime minister for a unity government excluding Baburam Bhattarai is against the spirit of the constitution. “As the incumbent government premier Bhattarai has majority, therefore, a national unity government led by Baburam Bhattarai should be formed,” said Minister Rayamajhi, “The incumbent government is constitutional, therefore, all political parties should agree on morphing the incumbent government into a national unity government.” On the occasion, he has said that the opposition parties’ attempts to exercise control over the majority government are against the democratic spirit. “We laid down our weapons following the army integration, the party got divided, we accepted it, but, we never left democratic values,” claimed minister Rayamajhi. (Source: thehimalayantimes.com, December 10, 2012)

Speaking at a press conference held by the Revolutionary Journalists Association at Tamghas on Tuesday, December 11, 2012, spokeswoman for the CPN-Maoist Pampha Bhusal warned of her party boycotting the fresh elections held by the three major political parties and the UDMF, as they are pushing the country to uncertainty; her party also would not take part in the consensus government formed by the bigwigs including UDMF. (Source: THT ONLINE, December 11, 2012)

Leaders of the UCPN-Maoist at the meeting held at the Lazimpat residence of the Chairman of the UCPN-Maoist Prachanda on Tuesday, December 11, 2012 summed up that the fresh CA elections should be held in April/May 2013; they also decided that the party would exhibit maximum flexibility to reach a consensus on the formation of a national unity government. The UCPN-Maoist has came up with this conclusion at the time when the time extended by the head of the state to reach an agreement on a common prime ministerial candidate and form a consensus government is about to expire. (Source: THT ONLINE, December 11, 2012). The maximum flexibility defined by the UCPN-Maoist was to accept NC president Sushil Koirala’s leadership in a consensus government if they agreed on a package deal.

Deputy Prime Minister Bijaya Kumar Gacchedar has claimed that he is not in the race for the unity government Prime Minister. “We are open to the leadership for the unity government, and I am not in the race for the post. We will select a new candidate to the PM post,” said DPM Gacchedar while speaking at an event held by the Reporters Club as a part of the campaign for a national consensus on Tuesday, December 11, 2012. DPM Gacchedar also stated that the ruling coalition’s decision to expand the Cabinet if parties miss the President’s deadline would fuel a conflict among President, Prime Minister and political parties. “Nation should not be taken towards confrontation by expanding the Cabinet as it would foil an environment for consensus,” said DPM Gacchedar. “Parties cannot reach a compromise on the number of federal states, neither are we in favor of an agreement neglecting the integrity of Constituent Assembly”, said Gacchedar. (Source: THT ONLINE, December 11, 2012)

Addressing a function held on the concluding day of the International Sculpture Workshop at Gumbadanda of Harnamadi-7 in Makwanpur district on Tuesday, December 11, 2012, Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai urged the political parties to become flexible to forge a consensus and institutionalize the changes achieved through struggles; democracy would face threat if an atmosphere conducive to hold an election by April/May was not created; therefore, the political parties should be aware of the need for a national consensus. (Source: RSS/thehimalayantimes.com, December 11, 2012)

As the deadline set by the President for forming a unity government ending on December 12, 2012, the Chairman of UCPN-Maoist Prachanda today requested the head of the state for extending the deadline once again. “I familiarized the President with the ongoing formal and informal meetings on various issues including formation of a national consensus government, among others, and the President is positive to extend the deadline,” said Chairman Prachanda after meeting with the president. The Federal Democratic Republican Alliance (FDRA) on Saturday, December 8, 2012 had decided to expand the Cabinet if the parties failed to forge a consensus by December 12: the extended deadline for the formation of a national unity government. (Source: THT ONLINE, December 12, 2012)

US Ambassador to Nepal Peter W. Bodde called on Chairman of the CPN-UML Jhalanath Khanal at the Dallu residence of Chairman Khanal in Kathmandu on Wednesday, December 12, 2012. During the meeting, US Ambassador Bodde expressed his concern over the current political situation in the country and its resolution, said Chairman Khanal's personal aide Milan Tuladhar. In response, Chairman Khanal said that his party was for holding elections in May next year, and expressed his confidence that the political parties would be able to forge a political way out of the current impasse, and said there was no alternative to moving ahead by forging a consensus among the parties, aide Tuladhar quoted Chairman Khanal as saying. Chairman Khanal appreciated the assurance given by the US Ambassador for providing necessary support for the fresh CA elections.  (Source: RSS/thehimalayantimes.com, December 12, 2012))

A day after missing the third deadline to form a national unity government, political parties got another five-day deadline from President Dr Ram Baran Yadav for the same on Thursday, December 13, 2012. President Yadav extended the deadline for the political parties to form a unity government for the fourth consecutive time following a meeting with top leaders of major political forces such as UCPN-Maoist, NC, CPN-UML, and UDMF at Shital Niwas this morning. The third six-day deadline given to the parties to form a unity government expired at 4:00 pm on Wednesday after major political forces spent it without even bothering to hold any kinds of meetings to find a way out of the current political and constitutional impasse and meet the deadline. The President has asked the political parties to forge a consensus on a unity government this time, saying that this will be the last deadline to be extended. (Source: nepalnews.com, December 13, 2012)

Calling himself a Jogi (ascetic), President Dr Ram Baran Yadav has asked his countrymen and the political parties not to worry about he taking over the power. “There are rumors that the president is trying to become active and grab power,” President Yadav said while speaking at the event held to mark the diamond jubilee celebration of Harihar Higher Secondary School in Arghakachi district on Wednesday, December 12, 2012, “I don’t see any reason to be afraid of a Jogi who used to herd buffalos in the past. I am the protector of the constitution and I will work as per the mandate handed to me. I will never cross my limits.” He called himself ‘a true son of Nepal’ who rose from his humble beginnings as a buffalo herder to become the President of the country. “Rest assured, I will never be tempted (to grab power),” he said, “only those who hanker after power get tempted. I came to give a way out to the problems facing the country and I will fulfill this responsibility given me under any circumstances.” (Source: nepalnews.com, December 13, 2012)

On December 13, 2012, Acting Chief Election Commissioner Dolakh Bahadur Gurung said that it was still possible to hold polls by May 31, 2013 if political parties were to agree on the election date and the appointment of Election Commissioner. “If all election-related issues are settled, it will only take 120 days to hold elections,” he said speaking at the event held by the District Election Office, Lamjung, Beshisahar. (Source: HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE, December 13, 2012)

On December 13, 2012, NC Vice-president Ram Chandra Poudel said that the step taken by the President was as per the need of the time. “The President’s process of proceeding ahead has been approved by all,” he said speaking at the condolence meeting held in Bharatpur on the 13th day of the demise of NC leader Bhim Bahadur Tamang. “The President should choose the Prime Minister of the country through the same process,” he said, as there was no possibility of forming a consensus government, and guaranteeing the CA election as long as the incumbent government exited. “Nepali Congress has not been seeking a change in the leadership of the government just for the sake of leading the government,” he said, “Congress has been demanding fresh CA polls.” (Source: HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE, December 13, 2012)

At Jhule on December 13, 2012, speaking at the 13th-day-death rites performed to late NC leader Bhim Bahadur Tamang, President of the NC Sushil Koirala said that the parties could reach a consensus within three days if Chairman of UCPN-Maoist Prachanda were to show his loyalty to the parties. President of the NC Koirala claimed that the parties would reach an agreement within the deadline given by the head of state to the parties for choosing a common candidate for a new prime minister and form a consensus government if Chairman of UCPN-Maoist Prachanda were ready to play his role seriously in it. (Source: THT ONLINE, December 13, 2012)

Speaking at an interaction event held by the Reporters Club in Kathmandu on Thursday, December 13, 2012, Prime Minister’s chief press advisor Devendra Poudel said that if the parties were to fail in reaching an agreement on a common prime ministerial candidate, and forming a consensus government in five days then the fresh polls of the CA should be held under the leadership of the incumbent government. Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai would step down from the office only after the parties forge a consensus on the package deal. During the interaction, he said that the opposition parties were hatching a conspiracy to capture the state power; the UCPN-Maoist leaders would not remain their hands folded in case the opposition parties were to take over the state power. (Source: THT ONLINE, December 13, 2012)

On December 14, 2012, Vice-president of NC Ram Chandra Poudel said that the President should come up with a "new option" if his fourth deadline given to the parties for picking up a consensus Prime Minister were to miss. "Since the President is the main pillar at the moment he should find out a new option. He cannot backtrack from his responsibility," Poudel said while speaking at the press conference held by the Press Union Nepal in Narayangadh, Chitwan. He, however, said there were no signs of consensus in the next four days and that the opposition parties would hit the streets on the fifth day, and showing his disappointment at the president’s performances said, "At a meeting, the President said he would strongly ask the parties to agree on the consensus. When asked what he would do if a consensus did not evolve, he didn't have an answer." (Source: nepalnews.com, December 14, 2012)

Speaking at the inaugural function of the Sambad Dabali at Anamnagar in Kathmandu on December 14, 2012, Chairman of CPN-Maoist Mohan Vaidhya said that the political leaders should focus on breaking the current political deadlock rather than on grabbing power. Chairman Vaidhya said, "Consensus and agreement should be forged aiming at resolving the problems of women, Madheshis, dalits, indigenous, peasants and workers, and issues of nationality." (Source: RSS/thehimalayantimes.com. December 14, 2012)

Despite his unstable political mindset demonstrated in the past, Chairman of CPN-Maoist Mohan Vaidhya has correctly said that the political leaders should set aside their ambition for the power rather should concentrate their mind on resolving the current political deadlock in view of the concerns of women, Madheshis, dalits, indigenous, peasants and workers, and issues of nationality.

However, it has been almost clear that the opposition coalition of the NC and the CPN-UML has set their mind to launch the street protests to topple the current government if the president were not to turn over the power to them immediately after the expiry of the deadline set by him to build a consensus on a new government if we were to believe in the public statements of the leaders of the NC and the CPN-UML. Surely, this illegal combative action of the opposition coalition would lead the country to the political chaos. Then, the only constitutional alternative left to the ruling coalition and the president would be to prepare for holding the elections to a new CA in April/May 2013. To this end, the president needs to issue different presidential decrees to clear off the constitutional hurdles to hold the elections diverting the attention of the opposition coalition of the NC and CPN-UML from hitting the roads to going to the people.

The ruling coalition and the opposition have had enough showdown for quite sometime; now, they need to back track from their respective stand on the political issues and should come closer in a conciliatory mood to break the current political deadlock and hold elections to a new CA following the Interim constitution of Nepal of 2007 to save the nation from the political chaos. So, the two political coalitions standing firmly apart so far, should come closer and cooperate with each other, and make efforts on building the nation rather than destroying it. These political parties should be proud of tearing down the apparently mighty dynastic rule and setting up the people’s rule. Nepalis have the tradition of tolerance. These political parties needed to demonstrate the typical Nepalese characteristics and work together to build the nation that had been devastated by the despotic monarchical rule for such a long time. Nepalese people have been expecting the political parties to institutionalized the achievements made by the people’s movements of different time, and to make all Nepalis the masters of their own destiny. Nepal has been severely weakened by the political bickering. If the opposition coalition were to launch the street protests and tear down the current government, Nepal would be further weakened. Political leaders would not be able to manage the problems brought by such unnecessary political struggles. Some political leaders need to talk in a civil manner and have respect for each other rather than using harsh words that don’t suit to the status held by the respectable political leaders. They need to revere the honorable president, and address him in a respectable manner, and institutionalize the office of the president as the most respectable office rather than trying to use it for grabbing the power. If the political leaders were to force this honorable office to grab the power then this office of the president would be seriously weakened and might even face the demise. So, the political leaders must commit to serve the nation’s interest rather than their own petty interest. Political leaders would be in power and out of power after each election depending on the past performances and future commitments. So, all political leaders need to go to polls to elect a new CA and test their popularity among the people for the better future of all Nepalis in general and political leaders in particular.

December 15, 2012