Dr. Baburam Bhattarai Stays On-Part XXVI

Siddhi B Ranjitkar

Nepalese politicians have neither set aside their differences nor they have been serious to break the political deadlock. Both the ruling coalition and the opposition coalition seem to be enjoying the current state of deadlock letting the country fall into the abyss of political instability. The federalism disputes remained and the political parties were not backtracking from their original stand on federalism. The Head of State could really be a referee in the political games. However, the recent actions and speeches showed that the Head of State was taking a side. Currently, the Head of State has begun to be active sitting on the bills sent by the cabinet for him to issue the presidential ordinances. This would certainly lead to the political confrontation. We could hardly predict the consequences of such confrontation.

The Head of State President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav has already seen that the ruling coalition of UCPN-Maoist and UDMF, and the opposition coalition of NC and CPN-UML have failed to build a political consensus. So, the next option is only to go to the polls for electing a new CA. The Head of State needs to work on holding elections rather than holding the bills at the presidential office. If President Yadav wants to see his name written in golden letters in the history of Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, he needs to be a real ceremonial president and cooperate with the government on holding elections to a new CA.

The federalism disputes are not only the naming of states by ethnic names or multi-ethnic names or geographic names but also the power to be delegated to the states. The NC leaders want not more than six states having the boundaries north south as in the past Panchayat system, and they are for retaining most of the power at the center consequently making the states as the powerless municipalities today we have. In early 1990s Former Mayor PL Singh of Kathmandu Metropolitan Municipality had once said that he as the mayor had the power to order only the sweepers. The NC leaders not only did not want to have any ethnic names in naming the states but also they want to go back to the system of the Panchayat era when the then king delineated Nepal into five-development regions ostensibly for development but really for directly controlling the rebels through the center. The CPN-UML leaders are not better than the NC leaders. They have accepted the multi-ethnic names combined with the geographical names but they are not for giving power to the states. As the NC leaders, the CPN-UML leaders also want more power at the center than giving it to the states.

Most of the ethnic and the Madheshi communities are for having the power at the states otherwise not only the states make no better than the Panchayat-era five development regions or 14 zones or 75 districts but also the federalism would be meaningless. The ethnic and Madheshi communities having denied to access to the administration, policy and army for more than two-and-a-half centuries are not any more ready to accept any exclusive governance system. So, they are not stepping back from their stand on federal states with power to self-determination in other words they want to make decision on their own destiny and they don’t want someone making decisions for them. For example, when the Madheshi community wanted to have the entire plane areas as a single Madhesh province then the Tharu community came out vehemently against it stating they were not for living under the Madheshi community. They have had lived under the repression of the rulers for more than 240 years they are not for living in the similar conditions any more.

Currently, the ruling coalition and the opposition coalition have come to the dead-end politics. In this situation, only the elections are alternative to break the deadlock through the fresh people’s mandate. Only the political leaders afraid of facing the voters don’t want to go to the polls for electing a new CA. Certainly, voters would reject the corrupt leaders and those leaders not working for the common folks. For those very reasons, some of the NC and CPN-UML leaders don’t want to go to the people for the fresh mandate. They had learned the hard lessons from the elections held to elect a CA in 2008 that most of the so-called leaders of NC and CPN-UML got not elected to the CA. However, they did not want to realize that they had done something wrong that was why the voters rejected them. For example, voters rejected Madhav Nepal in two constituencies because his performances as the leader of the CPN-UML were dismal. He became so mean that he applied for the office of prime minister when the then king called for applications to the office of prime minister. Madhav became ready to do anything to be in the chair of prime minister. A bunch of other CPN-UML leaders called Pokharels, Oli and others also lost the elections in 2008. Similarly, current President of NC Sushil Koirala also lost the election in 2008 because he did nothing good for the electorate that had elected him in the past. Now, President Koirala wanted to be a prime minister but he could not get nominated as a candidate for the office of prime minister, as he had other two colleagues such as Sher Bahadur Deuba and Ram Chandra Poudel claiming for the same office. So, he was maneuvering the political games to make it in his favor. All these guys are political junkies. Naturally, such so-called political leaders don’t go back to the people and face the voters.

For these political junkies going to polls for electing a new CA would be suicidal. They are sure that the UCPN-Maoist, Madheshis and ethnic communities would sweep the elections. Consequently, they would lose not only their positions in the national politics but also their stand on the federalism in other words they lose everything in the elections. So, they said that the elections to a new CA were unconstitutional. Anybody could say anything in the democratic system of governance but nobody is allowed to go against the rule of law. However, these political junkies don’t mind going against the constitution and the rule of law just to serve their interest. So, they have been resisting going to polls for electing a new CA. They are ready to confront with the federalists at any cost rather than getting defeated in the elections. No elections means going to the direct confrontation between the federalists and the anti-federalists.

Then, the Head of State could save the country from going to the confrontation between the federalists and the anti-federalist cooperating with the government on holding elections to a new CA despite the resistance of the opposition coalition of NC and CPN-UML. Both the ruling coalition of UCPN-Maoist and UDMF, and the opposition coalition of NC and CPN-UML are not in a mood to set aside their differences and resolve the contentious political issues to institutionalize the federalism. The activities of the opposition coalition of NC and CPN-UML have clearly shown that they are not for settling the federalism disputes rather they are for going head-on confrontation with the ruling coalition of UCPN-Maoist and UDMF. So, only the Head of State could save the country from the serious confrontation between the federalists and anti-federalists. To this end, Head of State President Yadav needs to take the opposition coalition of NC and CPN-UML to polls for electing a new CA if they are not for setting their differences aside and work for a new constitution.

Speaking to the reporters after the meeting held at the Maharajgunj residence of President of NC Sushil Koirala on September 15, 2012, Vice-president of NC Ram Chandra Poudel said that the CA could be reinstated if an agreement could be reached among the political parties on the 11 provinces with multiple identities federal model proposal presented to the political parties on May 15, 2012. "Today's meeting discussed finding a way out of the current constitutional vacuum and talks would be held with the CPN-UML today only," he said hinting at the two parties preparing a common draft. The NC vice-president also said that his party would be holding talks with the UCPN-Maoist and other parties as well after holding talks with the CPN-UML to break the current political deadlock in the country. (Source: RSS/thehimalayantimes.com)

Speaking at a press conference held at the Peris Danda headquarters of UCPN-Maoist on September 15, 2012, spokesperson for UCPN-Maoist Agni Sapkota said that the NC and CPN-UML were inviting political crisis by inciting Head of State President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav to act against the government, as they were desperate to take power. Spokesperson Sapkota also said that the UCPN-Maoist would launch massive protests if the President were to take a step under the pressure of the NC and CPN-UML. Spokesperson Sapkota blamed the two opposition parties for deliberately delaying in building a consensus by the opposition leaders going to the districts when they needed to be in the capital for talks. (Source: nepalnews.com)

Speaking at the Reporters’ Club in Kathmandu on September 15, 2012, Minister for Information and Communications and also the spokesperson for the government Raj Kishore Yadav said that the Head of State neither could dissolve the government nor form a new one, as the Interim Constitution of Nepal did not bestow on him with any authority to do so. Spokesperson Yadav also warned the Head of State that the UCPN-Maoist and United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) would protest if the Head of State were to dissolve the government. Spokesperson Yadav said that the country would have either 10 or 14 states, as the UDMF had already made an agreement either on the 10-state model recommended by the State Restructuring Commission or on the 14-state one recommended by the Constituent Assembly’s State Restructuring Committee, and he ruled out the possibility of compromise on that matter. (Source: THT ONLINE/thehimalayantimes.com)

Speaking at an interaction on 'the country's crises, and women's role' held by the All Nepal Women's Association (ANWA)-Revolutionary Ninth District Convention Organizing Committee, Dang in Ghorahi on September 13, 2012, Chief of Department of Organization of UCPN-Maoist Krishna Bahadur Mahara said that the current political stalemate would only end with the strong unity of the suppressed classes, gender and community; and he said that all the communities should be united and there was no alternative to women constituting a half of the country's population other than to resorting to agitation. He also said that federalism with identity and constitution with federalism was the best solution for the rights of the people. (Source: RSS/Thehimalayantimes.com of September 13, 2012)

Speaking at a news conference held by the Press Chautari Nepal Banke District Chapter in Nepalgunj on September 13, 2012, CPN-UML leader Bamdev Gautam said that federal provinces based on single ethnicity would not be possible under any circumstances, while federalizing the country. He said, "Federalizing a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual and multi-cultural country like ours based on a single ethnic identity would be like digging own grave." (Source: RSS/Thehimalayantimes.com of September 13, 2012)

Speaking at a training program held by his party in Bhaktapur on September 13, 2012, President of NC Sushil Koirala said that he was not desperate to become prime minister and that there was no prime ministerial candidate dispute in the NC, and he was not going to be lured by Maoist assurances to make him prime minister as they keep on changing their positions. "We do not have any dispute over the candidate of the prime minister," said the NC president, "We can name a candidate within an hour if there is an agreement on forming a national unity government." He also said that he did not see any possibility of a political consensus any time soon and that no written deal would be signed with the Maoists until there was a concrete agreement on a national unity government. NC President Koirala also said that the NC was not quite sure of the Maoist’s intention to reinstate the CA. Reinstatement is not possible merely by the understanding between the parties but the court, the President and the international community also should be taken into confidence, he further said. (Source: nepalnews.com)

A meeting held at the Lazimpat residence of Chairman of UCPN-Maoist Prachanda on September 12, 2012, Chairman Prachanda and leaders of NC have agreed on going to polls for electing a new CA if they could not build a consensus on settling all the federalism disputes and revive the dissolved CA for a brief period to promulgate a new constitution. Senior leader of NC Sher Bahadur Deuba, Vice-President of NC Ram Chandra Poudel and NC General Secretary duo Krishna Prasad Sitaula and Prakash Man Singh were present at the meeting with Chairman of UCPN-Maoist Prachanda, according to ‘THT ONLINE’ and nepalnews.com. These guys have been highly incredible in the past and certainly we could not believe them in this time, too. NC leaders have number of times said that first they need the office of prime minister before taking up any agenda of settling the controversial issues. However, these NC guys have had no means to take over power. The ruling coalition of UCPN-Maoist and UDMF is not in a mood to offer the power in a platter to the NC leaders. So, these guys might neither revive the CA nor go to polls for some time to come keeping the political deadlock intact.

At the press conference held at Hyatt Hotel in Kathmandu on Tuesday evening, September 11, 2012 before leaving Nepal, U.S. Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert O. Blake said, “The U.S. wants to see a stable, democratic, and prosperous Nepal in which the rights of all citizens are protected and the rule of law respected.” U.S. Assistant Secretary Blake said that Nepalese leaders should settle the constitutional disputes setting aside their differences and working together, and he urged Nepalese political party leaders to demonstrate real statesmanship and flexibility, according to ‘THT ONLINE’.

Refereeing to the U.S. recently taking off the Maoist party from the Terrorist Exclusion List (TEL), U.S. Assistant Secretary Blake stated, “The delisting frees the party’s property within the U.S. and allows U.S. entities to engage in transactions with CPN-M without having to obtain a license.”  (Source: THT ONLINE)

U.S. Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert O. Blake urged the government to ensure transitional justice mechanisms that meet international human rights standards; a key part of concluding the peace process would be for all parties to develop transitional justice mechanism that are independent, credible and transparent to address the concerns of all victims and their families. (Source: myrepublica.com)

Speaking at an event held to mark the 99th anniversary of BP Koirala at the BP Museum in Sundarijal, Kathmandu on Monday, September 10, 2012, Head of State President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav said, “political parties are intensively engaged in power game which has even jeopardized the status of democracy in Nepal.” President Yadav urged the political leaders to build a political consensus on all unsettled issues to break the current constitutional and political deadlock caused by the dissolution of the CA. (Source: THT ONLINE)

Speaking at a press meet held by the Nepal Press Union of Myagdi on Monday, September 10, 2012, President of NC Sushil Koirala said that his party would not make any agreements with the UCPN-Maoist until the latter created an environment of trust, and accused the UCPN-Maoist of not enforcing any of the agreements from the 12-point understanding to the latest five-point deal. (Source: THT ONLINE)

Speaking at the interaction held by the Reporters´ Club Nepal in Kathmandu on Monday, September 10, 2012, NC Central Working Committee member Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat said that the country could hold on no more than six federal states stating more than six federal states would mean a failure of federalism. "In case there are more than 10 federal states, there will be only two or three federal states that would have economic surplus and enough resources while the remaining states would be in total deficit both in economic terms and in natural resources. Federalism cannot be sustainable in such a situation," he reasoned. (Source: myrepublica.com). Dr. Mahat as an economist should know that any government could mobilize resources required for running the administration; and no government had collapsed due to the lack of resources so far.

A group of dissident leaders belonging to Madhesi, ethnic and indigenous communities has revolted against the CPN-UML establishment expressing their serious differences over the party’s official position on federalism. Vice-Chairman of CPN-UML Ashok Rai is leading the group demanding that nomenclature and delineation of provinces in future federal setup should be based on single-ethnic identity while the party establishment has turned down the demand insisting on multiethnic provinces. CPN-UML dissidents have already formed parallel committees in several districts and are holding gatherings there. (Source: myrepublica.com, September 9, 2012)

In an interview posted on myrepublica.com on September 5, 2012, CPN-UML Central Committee member Rakam Chemjong: one of the dissident leaders told Republica’s Gani Ansari on Monday, September 3, 2012, “We have never demanded that the federal units should be carved on the basis of single ethnicity; our demand is that the federal units should be named on the basis of single ethnicity. Although the names of federal units will be based on single ethnicity, identity, language and culture of other communities will be respected. It does not mean that any particular ethnic group will be promoted in such federal units. It will be difficult for Janajati and Madhesi leaders to continue working within the party because the party is not even ready to accept identity (of Janajati and Madhesi), citing the need for multi-identity. So far, the state had formulated policies in order to promote dominance of a particular ethnic group. But, now we want the state to adopt policies to empower all ethnic groups.” (Source: myrepublica.com)

"The party has been standing for delineating provinces by striking a balance between capability [economic viability] and the identities of Nepalese society which is multiethnic, multilingual and multicultural," said Chairman of CPN-UML Jhalanath Khanal, while replying to the party’s dissidents. "Our party still firmly stands on the convictions." "There can’t be single-ethnic nomenclature when the provinces are multiethnic in nature and the provinces can’t be named after a single language when they are multilingual," said Khanal arguing that such a move wouldn’t represent the concerned province’s realities appropriately. Citing the recent central committee’s decision to propose a seven-province model based on multi-ethnic identities, Khanal said that the provinces in a federal setup should be multiethnic, multilingual and multicultural and should reflect the reality of Nepalese society. The seven provinces proposed by the CPN-UML’s central committee are Kirant-Limbuwan-Koshi, Mithila-Bhojpura-Janakpur, Tamsaling-Newa-Bagmati, Magrat-Tamuwan-Gandaki, Tharuhat-Abadh-Lumbini, Bheri-Karnali and Seti-Mahakali. (Source: myrepublic.com, September 4, 2012)

September 15, 2012