CA Poll Deferral: What say Nepal’s noted scholars?

Nepal's noted Scholars

Poll postponement: A blow to the prospect of inclusive growth of national economy

Professor Hari Bansh Jha, Director CETS

Prof. Jha: It was expected that the CA polls on November 22, 2007 could have helped restore already deteriorating law and order situation in Nepal and thereby help create conducive environment for inclusive economic growth. But the poll deferment will have a tendency to push the country towards anarchy. It may at the same time give a fatal blow to the prospect of inclusive growth of the national economy.

Instability, that looks almost eminent due to poll deferment, might erode the prospect of mobilization of adequate resources to the national exchequer through taxation. Frequent bundhs might lead to decline in customs duties. Unemployment will be chaotic and many of the economic activities in industrial, agricultural, trade and service sectors will meet major set back. Foreign aid might also squeeze.

While certain vested interests will keep on benefiting from the chaotic situation that is likely to come, the larger segments of the population will be devoid of many economic opportunities. This might create further unequal distribution of resources, which will bring greater economic disaster in the country. In view of this reality, let the stakeholders and "so called" political leaders of seven party alliances make their last effort during the forthcoming parliamentary session to save the country from falling into the ditch of point of no return!

Raison d’etre of this government has gone to the dogs

Professor, Dr. Sushil Raj Pandey, Political Science Department, TU

Prof. Pandey: Well! The day the Maoists’ party withdrew from the government, the very legitimacy of the Government ceased to exist.

The commitment to twelve point agreement was in itself controversial as the interim legislature that was formed, excluded all other interest groups, and political parties etc.

Now that the postponement is no more an issue; it was a foregone conclusion. As you very well know this is the third postponement. The only option remaining is to dissolve the parliament and form an independent election government to hold a free and fair election. The raison d’etre of this government has gone to the dogs.

Holding CA means letting people decide political future

Professor Sri Dhar Khatri, Executive Director, South Asia Center for Policy Studies

Prof. Khatri: Regrettable! It is inexcusable. But necessary since you need to have all parties including the Maoists participating in the polls.

Decisions can’t be made at the whims of individuals or groups but needs to be within a political framework of a process that is shared and supported by the people.

The movement is about the people’s right to choose and not, a result that can be presented as a fait accompli by the political parties to the people.

Holding the CA means letting the people to decide the political future of the country.

Are our politicians really in a position to make major decision on their own?

Professor Ananda P Srestha, Director NEFAS

Prof. Shrestha: The deferral of the CA polls is no doubt very unfortunate. But it was expected going by the track record of the SPA+M while they were in power and the petty differences on crucial national issues.

Now the question that arises is thus the Prime Minister along with the SPA have the moral right to be in power?

If they have any self-respect and feeling of the views of the general mass, they should resign immediately.

If the political parties in power are really serious about holding the CA elections then a new interim government needs to be formed and CA polls to be held with a year.

But as of now there are rumblings about a referendum as be more appropriate but only time will tell how the future course of Nepali politics will unfold.

But at this point in time it will be necessary to do some serious soul searching regarding the issue as to whether our politics is really in our hands and whether our politicians are really in a position to make major decision on their own?

Political parties took the CA as a parliamentary election

P.Kharel, Central Department of Journalists and Mass Communication, TU

The mainstream political parties lack a clear-cut comprehensive roadmap regarding the proposed Constituent Assembly polls. At the same time, they are not prepared for the CA polls because they are taking the exercise as a parliamentary elections rather than CA polls.

This is precisely why the polls have been deferred again and again. In this process, the ruling alliance has lost its credibility for with its constituents will have to pay dearly in the long run. The vast majority of people who have been awaiting the CA polls since so long are deeply disappointed.

Post your Comment here

TERMS OF USE:The views, opinions and comments posted are your, and are not endorsed by this website. You shall be solely responsible for the comment posted here. The website reserves the right to delete, reject, or otherwise remove any views, opinions and comments posted or part thereof. You shall ensure that the comment is not inflammatory, abusive, derogatory, defamatory &/or obscene, or contain pornographic matter and/or does not constitute hate mail, or violate privacy of any persons) or breach confidentiality or otherwise is illegal, immoral or contrary to public policy. Nor should it contain anything infringing copyright &/or intellectual property rights of any person(s).