What is next after the Dissolution of CA in Nepal?

Prof. Dr. Madan Kumar Dahal

Chairman, Mega Bank Nepal Ltd.

Kathmandu: August 30, 2012

Introduction

The dissolution of Constituent Assembly (CA) at midnight on Sunday May 27, 2012 without promulgating constitution is evident of total failure of the government, political parties and leaders including the Chairman of CA attributing to growing inter and intra-party political wrangling, inefficiency, corruption, poor governance, and external intervention that created a void in political arena resulting in protracted transition engulfed by increasing risks and uncertainties in all spheres of the statecraft. Unfortunately, the parties and leaders are yet shy and reluctant to openly admit the blunder they committed to resulting in major political disaster never before in the history of Nepal and, for that matter, they are neither ashamed of nor apologetic to the people. The current political catastrophe shattered the hope of the common people aspiring for enjoying democracy, liberty and equality with republic order and jeopardized the prospects for economic development to live in dignity in Nepal.

The Fervor of National Consensus

The prevailing state of affairs could be described as: ‘State without government; Economy without budget and development; and Democracy without elections’. Since democracy and development are at the cross-roads in Nepal after the demise of CA, there is urgent need for developing a national consensus among political forces to break the impasse and pave the way to forge a national government instrumental in formulating the budget, promulgating constitution and, subsequently, holding election in not too distant future. In absence of a national consensus on major issues democracy would not sustain, economy would be in jeopardy, and nation would plunge into oblivion and people are likely to witness the untold misery and sufferings. It is, therefore, crucial that prolonged transition must come to an end with improving political condition through developing national consensus for formulating a consensus government and thereby ensuring new constitution compatible with the spirit of peoples’ aspirations for federal republic by holding a fresh election preferably at both national and local levels.

Treatment to Non-performance

This requires setting-up of a common agenda to decontaminate the politics through improving ethics and the moral values with immediate execution of two propositions. These are:  (a) all former CA members should be disqualified for contesting election to represent at all levels; and (b) listed notorious corrupt political leaders and government officials (civil, judiciary, security services) including mafia (private sector, NGOs, INGOs) involved in fraudulent activities should be put under judicial trial for economic offences through Special Court at the initiation of Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), the cut-off period for trial being Jan Andolan I (1990) and afterwards. This would purify the domain of politics and provide opportunities for a new, young, dynamic and honest leadership to emerge and guide the destiny of people and the nation.

The Political Debate

In a competitive politics under modern democracy political parties are the leading actors to safeguard the interest of the nation and common people ensuring peace, progress and prosperity in the country. Unfortunately, all most all the parties and leaders are terribly indulged in notorious game plan resulting in a series of split confined to grab the power, position and treasury without legal sanctity through fresh mandate from the people. Under the circumstances, the commoners have had great expectations that parties and the leaders in power during the last five years would work honestly with all humility for ensuring better future of Nepal and the Nepalese people particularly with the rise of Republican Order and the fall of autocracy in 2006. However, the outcome is extremely poignant and disgusting.

More recently, the Unified Maoist Party witnessed a big splinter with naked exposition of mounting financial indiscipline within the party and the fight over property accumulated by the party during and after the Jan Yuddha that lasted for a decade claiming the lives of more than 13,000 people. However, the split of Unified Maoist party is the fake or genuine it is still a matter of conjecture and it is too early to predict the future of breakaway party. The Nepali congress and UML parties are at the crossroads of increasing risks and uncertainties engulfed by conspicuously offending rivalry inside the parties leading towards defections and thereby self-liquidation. The Madhesbadi regional parties are virtually dismantled into several petty groups with strong domination of Kabila type leaders and their “one-man-apprenticeship” guided by malafied intention to quickly maximize kickbacks through abuse of powers. And, on the other hand, small parties are suffering from identity crisis. This is unfortunate that Adibashi and Janjatis have totally misunderstood the fundamental postulates of federalism that refer to devolution of political, economic, social, and cultural empowerment from the center to grassroots. In no case, federalism is the proposal for creating a state within the state confined to the command of specific ethnic groups and declaring the ruler to represent a particular community.

Obsessions of Political Parties

The political obsession of Maoist leaders to create a separate state for a few selected ethnic groups in a small country like Nepal is a dogma on the contrary to the spirit of the thesis propagated by Karl Marx that emphatically refers to class struggle and dictatorship of the proletariat. This kind of political blunder of Unified Maoist party has reduced its popularity to its lowest ebb especially after the accomplishment of 12-point agreements and Extensive Peace Accord among the political parties. The recently organized United Forum comprised of 21-parties headed by comrade Prachanda is another futile exercise targeted towards consolidating his political strength to stage a comeback in power that disrupted the prospects for timely emergence of national government.

A majority of the Madheshi parties and leaders represent affluent families and background and it is ridiculous about their claim to be the only messiah of downtrodden in the terai. They are rambling with false propaganda that Madhesh-terai is deprived of opportunities with conspicuous discrimination and utter exploitation by the rulers housed at Kathmandu. But the reality is just opposite. The available data exhibit that all most all industries are located at terai; the extent of poverty is low and employment opportunities and standard of living are high in terai; and infrastructure facilities such as highways, electricity, communications are undoubtedly far superior in terai compared to hills and mountains. In addition, terai is advantageously placed with easy access to India for trade and marketing with better opportunities to maximize the benefits from open border. Unfortunately, the so-called big political parties failed to counter the malicious agenda frequently campaigned by Madhesi leaders that they are treated as number two citizen with great humiliation and discrimination. On the contrary, one of the colleagues recently apprised me that leaders from his constituency in terai refused to accept his status that he belongs to and represent terai on the ground that his ancestors were hill originated, despite terai is his native birth place, where he holds parental property – the house and the land.

Oracle: Jagged Political Road

Politics is the game of impossibilities and, therefore, it is extremely strenuous to be precise and predict about the future course of politics in Nepal. The recent trends in the activities of political parties and the leaders followed by periodical agitations and bandh with increasing violence justify that major political forces are least interested in promulgating the new constitution for Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. The sensitivity of Nepali people towards national integrity, sovereignty, peace, harmony, compassion, sense of belonging, and deep admiration among the communities is likely to detonate due to inefficiency, lack of farsightedness, and imprudent decision of the leaders resulting in unprecedented conflict and violence that might lead to dissolution of the country, if not urgently reconciled.

Surprisingly, the civil society members and human rights activists are in deep sleep, for their self-interest extremely collided; high level bureaucrats function like party workers; intellectuals and scholarly communities have remained docile and silent spectators and their personality is largely compressed to the pocket of political leaders; private sector is in oblivion and yet undecided to be specific about the priorities to expedite investments and determine the sector functions to be undertaken for providing services effectively to the people, and they are also busy in submitting memorandum to the government with a proposal for exemptions, deductions, rebates and concessions to escape from taxation; and security forces, of course, have no option but to abide by the instructions of the government.

If there would be no constitution within given time-frame, it might lead to seismic disaster resulting in growing corruption, anarchy and impunity. In addition, the BRB government is apprehensive of the judgment of the Supreme Court that often went against the interest of the government during many occasions. More surprisingly, Nepali Congress party known as champion of democracy and its leaders unanimously opposed to the verdict of the Supreme Court against Khum Bahadur Khadka, who is found guilty of corruption and sentenced to imprisonment with fines and penalty. This kind of political frustration of Nepali Congress and other parties is danger to protect the rule of law and sustain democracy with republic order in a country where the decision of the Supreme Court is openly challenged by political parties and the leaders. More recently, the major opposition parties lambasted against the BRB government for its strategic move to rule the country through a series of ordinances and stay in power indefinitely. This might lead to confrontation between the President and Prime Minister disrupting the natural course of political development in Nepal.

At this critical juncture, political parties, statecraft, economy, people and ultimately the entire nation are weak attributing to lack of unity and consensus among the political parties in absence of a visionary and determined leadership. All parties conspicuously suffer from the common but intractable syndrome comprised of inefficiency, corruption, poor governance, anarchy, impunity, nepotism, favoritism, and excessive dependence on external forces to sustain in power with continuity.

The ruling United Maoist party has been encouraging anarchy and impunity by protecting high level party workers including former CA members who were declared criminals and punished by the Supreme Court with life term imprisonment and confiscation of property. The corruption charges against the top leadership of the United Maoist party alleged by the party workers during recently held extended session is indicative of why Maoist party is least interested to commence the trial against corrupt politicians and bureaucrats. The selected former CA members representing mostly Madheshbadi parties including a few politicians belonging to UML and Congress parties have also been put behind the bar, for the crime that they sold their VIP red-passports at Rs. 10.5 million. No party is exception to corruption and the list is very long. Therefore, corruption has been a common phenomenon and lubrication to sustain politics, which is infused in every blood of public figures. The latest reports published by International Watch Dog, Transparency International, and Office of the Auditor General (OAG/GON, 2011) are testimony of Nepal being identified as top-most corrupt country in South Asia.

Recommendations

This calls for ICU treatment to avert untoward catastrophe beyond imagination including the rise of dictatorship. And, therefore, there is need for ensuring: (a) emergence of an independent inclusive government based on consensus within two-three weeks from now; (b) election for parliament to be held within a year for not exceeding 240 seats; (c) formation of a high level Commission headed by an eminent jurist to formulate the constitution to be endorsed by the parliament; and, (d) the Prime-Minister and ministers-designate in the consensus government shall not be eligible to contest forthcoming election for parliament ensuring free and fair election. If this is not going to happen in due course of time, the Archimedes principle “Water finds its own level” is likely to follow. Under the circumstances, Nepali politics is left with following options to prevail as envisaged below:

(1) Option I: Emergence of a consensus government within a short span of next two-three weeks to ensuring forthcoming election for parliament and promulgating the constitution for Federal Democratic Republic Order within a year;

(2) Option II: Formation of an independent civilian government representing all segments of society at the initiation of Rt. Hon’ble President at the capacity of custodian of the Interim Constitution and in wider consultation with all political forces with particular assignment to hold election for parliament and promulgate the constitution in conformity with the aspirations of common people within a year, in case of failure of option 1;

(3) Option III: Creation of a puppet government with joint support of external powers and Nepal Army, in case of failure of option 2; and

(4) Breakdown of law and order with alarmingly growing anarchy, impunity, bloodshed, violence, and civil war leading towards a failure state, in case of collapse of all options mentioned above.

Conclusion

Although pro-monarchy forces have gained momentum in recent times attributing to negative performance of both ruling and opposition parties, return of monarchy as spelled out enthusiastically by some quarters is virtually impossible even with external back-up. National consensus is not at sight due to ugly but never ending rivalry to capture the power between ruling and the opposition parties and, therefore, new constitution is not a priority for them. The role played by Western donor communities is highly objectionable in recent years especially after 2006 that totally spoiled ethnic communities to instigate the demand for a separate state for a few ethnic groups without considering its severe consequences leading to cessation of the nationhood. The gesture of neighboring countries towards restoring peace and stability through promulgating new constitution of Federal Republic Order in Nepal is obviously encapsulated by “wait and see” diplomacy under the pretext that it is internal affairs of Nepal. However, the political legacy that proximity factor works effectively is under close scrutiny at this critical juncture and, therefore, both economically giant neighbors are indifferent to play the active role for sustaining stability and development in Nepal.

In addition, the contemporary Nepali politics is circumscribed by enormous formidable difficulties and challenges. The constitutional organizations especially the Election Commission (EC) responsible to hold election will fall vacant without authorities soon, and same is the fate with two important organizations such as CIAA and OAG in which high level positions are lying idle for a long time. This is shocking that incumbent Prime minister’s attitude is not only stubborn but also arrogantly declared that he would not step down until the emergence of next government through election. At the moment, opposition parties and leaders have no strength to galvanize consensus and they are desperately waiting the days for their revival in power at the mercy of President. Rt. Hon’ble President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav is the solitary custodian of the Interim Constitution with limited power to exercise and he commands a high esteem from all walks of life. Similarly, the Supreme Court (SC) and Commission for the Investigation of the Abuse of Authority (CIAA) have shown great courage to act boldly in recent times against corruption, injustice and despotism. In addition, the role of Nepal Army is highly appreciating for its neutrality in the past and to-day.

The acid test of political parties and the leaders is approaching fast to prove their efficiency and farsightedness with existing knowledge and wisdom for ensuring durable peace and stability and sustaining democracy with new constitution through timely election in Nepal. Hope the leaders will not commit blunder again to behave like Roman Emperor Nero who lost his empire due to excessive leaning towards extravaganza while Rome was burning before his eyes.

The author is also the advisor of Nepal Nagrik Manch. He can be reached at madandahal.prof@gmail.com

 

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Comments

  • Posted on - 2012-09-11    by     Y B Thapa
  • The article by Prof. Dr. Dahal is full of our pain, and it offers medicine to the Leaders. The political chimera, on the balance, is squarely due to failure of the Leaders to be s statesman, and the failure of the Voters to pursue self-determination. The leader loosing CA- member election want to be Prime Minister, and the leader loosing party election want to be its President de-facto, and the party-cadres end up being camp followers, merely on benefit/ cost analysis. Be it State or Party, we have lost self rectification, which is essential for any organism to perpetuate. In any case, the correct way is to quickly reinstate CA for a brief period, and immediately hold election of the Parliament and Local Government. The wrong way is pray God that India make Our Leaders to do the right things at gun point - as did US in post-WW_2 days to Taiwan, Japan, S Korea to be more civilized. I wish My Leaders prove Me factually wrong, Amen Y B Thapa
  • Posted on - 2012-09-08    by     Tej Hari Ghimire
  • Prof. Dr. Dahal pointed out a very clear picture of the nation and the recomendations and conslusions are strongly valid. This paper will be a historic evidence for future political senario of Nepal.
  • Posted on - 2012-09-08    by     Prof. Dr. Basudev Uprety
  • It was rewarding to read the piercing and touching piece written by Prof. Dr. Madan Dahal deploring the disputes of the parties and their leaders for inviting the failure of the CA, and the loss of valuable time and resources of the country. Indeed, the country has not made a notable progress in any side in the last four years – if we notice that the abolition of the monarchy was the consequence of the Second-Jana-Andolan and not the doing of the CA itself. It is a soul-searching time for us as to why many parties have emerged as breakaways from NC? Why UCPN (Maoist) has split in two? Why even more parties are in the process of emerging as breakaways from NC, UML, and the Maoists? It seems to me taht the problems lie in the inappropriate intra-party management, the faulty setting of electoral constituency, and the total leadership failure. I have to thank Prof. Madan Dahal for giving me an ice-breaking opportunity!
  • Posted on - 2012-09-05    by     Dr. Purushottam Shrestha
  • The article is very comprehensive. It provides wide information to the commoners regarding the impact of the recent political activities in the country. One of the commendable issues raised is the Terai and brothers and sisters residing there are more access to trade , marketing , infrastructure facilities and they are well recognized socially, economically and politically and not necessary to feel humiliation by themselves as class two citizen. The recommendations are very contextual and pragmatic. Other recommendation could be the policy of CA members coming from behind (aprateshya) should be avoided and lost CA members must not be brought into any power. The political leaders, some of them who have sacrificed their whole life for economic development, progress and prosperity of the nation need to internalize and execute those recommendations with great patience, sincerity and greedless so as to help Nepalese people for their decent living with peace and dignity.
  • Posted on - 2012-09-04    by     Dr. R K Shah
  • The article entitled “What is next after the Dissolution of CA in Nepal? Written by Prof. Dr. Madan Kumar Dahal is very interesting for all the political parties and leaders of the country. Growing inter and intra- party political wrangling, inefficiency, corruption, poor governance and external intervention are the main causes of total failure of the government. The statement of the author as State without Government; Economic without Budget and Development; and Democracy without election is most attractive slogan in the political sector of Nepal. Democracy and development are at the cross-roads in Nepal after the demise of CA. There is urgent need of national consensus ensuring peace, progress and prosperity in the country of common people. There is also need of fresh mandate to frame the new constitution of Nepal. National consensus among Unified Maoist Party, UML, Nepali Congress and the Madheshi Parties will help to maintain proper political situation in the country. The latest reports published by International Watch Dog, Transparency International and Office of the Auditor General (OAG/GoN, 2011) are the testimony of Nepal being identified as top-most corrupt country in South Asia. Prof. Dahal has called the present political situation as ICU treatment. In my opinion, there is need for ensuring emergence of an independent inclusive government based on consensus within two-three weeks from now. This is the best option to create peace and prosperity for common people in the country. Option first promulgates the constitution for Federal Democratic Republic Order within a country. There is also a possibility of return of monarchy due to pro-monarchy forces attributing to negative performance of both ruling and opposition parties. Rt. Hon’ able President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav is the solitary custodian of the Interim Constitution with limited power to exercise and he commands a high esteem from all walks of life. In conclusion, this article is watch dog for political parties, leaders, civil society, and bureaucrats, the present government and all the common people of the country. It is moral lesion for the all the political parties to ensure durable peace and stability and sustaining democracy with new constitution through timely election in Nepal.
  • Posted on - 2012-09-03    by     Hem Raj Lamichhane
  • Dear Respected Sir, I went through your article. I found that it is really a very professional, academic and independent. You have clearly pointed out the current real scenario of political parities, civil societies organization and Human Right organization of Nepal. In totality, the article has raised the insight of the current Nepaleses context properly. The words you have choosen are very nice and attractive but to some extent difficult to understand. However, you did not highlight the importance of election of local bodies in Nepal. You have both theoretical and practical knowledge about the role and importance of local governance. Therefore I kindly would like to request you to write another article about the importance of local election soon. There is no elected representative in local bodies since last 10 years. Periodic eclection is one of the fundamental elements of democracy. That is why the Interim constitution, 2063 has explicitly committed to hold the local election for better service delivery and strenthening local democracy in Nepal. Wishing you all the best. Sincerely, Hem Raj Lamichhane ADDCN
  • Posted on - 2012-09-02    by     Balaram paudel
  • Professor, M. K Dahal, a well known Economist , Scholar and Mega Bank Chair man has been expressing his views on the contentious political , economic and social issues of Nepal over the past several years. What is ext …is recent edition of his creating writings. Prof. Dahal is seriously concerned on the rapidly deteriorating political, economic and social condition of Nepal after the dissolution CA and beautifully expresses the current situation in a few words ‘State without government; Economy without budget and development; and Democracy without elections’. Despite this situation prevailing in the country, ruling political parties and their leaders are not serious to end political disaster and build political consensus rather they are still playing trick to remain in the power for long at the cost of nation and ordinary people. In addition, they are also making an attempt to drag president into controversy by forwarding Ordinances to the Office of President. This is a regrettable situation that political actors are ignoring the aspiration of people and nation. I agree with prof.Dahal. Prof. Dahal has rightly perceived the outcome of long political deadlock without constitution as it might lead to seismic disaster resulting in growing corruption, anarchy and impunity. By considering the grave consequences of uncertain political situation, he has mentioned 3 options for solution and also mentioned a costly and terrible outcome in case of failure of all these options. Of the three options, I strongly prefer option I because it is just like natural birth of child, option II is like a birth of child through scissoring. Option III is just like a situation losing either child or mother or both. I wish there would be no occurrence of third option! and also think that wishes are not horses on which one could ride. Finally, I congratulate to professor Dahal not because he published an article but be cause he is representing the true voice of ordinary people and always thinking and doing for betterment of common people and nation. Balaram paudel, Biratnagar
  • Posted on - 2012-09-02    by     Prof.Dr. Ratna Kamal Vaidya
  • The purpose of the article by Dr. Madan Kumar Dahal explains not only to acquire knowledge and skill but also to awaken and mature the conscience.Basically, we learn to live for the sake of others,having done this ,we actually benefit ourselves the most.Fundamentally,it is to create nations of peace and prosperity in nepali politics.Really the working activity by Dr. Dahal has contributed a lot for the nepal's future process. i am placing much expectation in him.
  • Posted on - 2012-09-01    by     Prabhash Devkota
  • Dear Respected Sir My critical observation as a disciple only; sir I am not a suitable person to map it but as you gave me this political space with gratitude I would like to share few points: • What is the latest development equation on aid politics after the sudden death of CA in Nepal? • Can you relate some such examples happened in other countries too in this transition ? • Please suggest 7 pertinent things as point wise that what are they to be well internalized by Govt and CSOs of Nepal? • How the retired beurocracy and professors are using aid platform for their lucrative earning in your opinion, please be as much critical as you want. • 10 lessons to be reflected in our planned development of 6 decades. • If someone asks you the role of aid in strengthening our governance and democratization is in question? If this is right time then how do you suggest to framework it? • How aid and democracy have been merged and intermingled by donors in our context and is it fair. • Would you suggest some way forward please All these questions put by me to you for your interview has crystal clear answers with alternatives too. I think again these are the politicians and parties who are supposed to be for and politics does not happen in vaccum. Sir if I am not mistaken then I find somewhat a negative blast which is obviously result oriented too but again it is the duty of you peoplr the think tank, opinion maker and the academics for a visible benchmark of transformation. Whether the modality of pressure group in Europe or in America is similar to our civil society connotation then my little knowledge says we are doing wrong; the civil society engagement here should be an alternative theory not a mere activism or campaign. Respected sir, the solutions are exactly “the” what they will appear in our arenas but we don’t have a common consensus I think the way forward is still abstract for our politicians as they don’t understand language. “Similarly, the Supreme Court (SC) and Commission for the Investigation of the Abuse of Authority (CIAA) have shown great courage to act boldly in recent times against corruption, injustice and despotism.” Sir do you convince fully on it? I do have limitation. “the role of Nepal Army is highly appreciating for its neutrality in the past and to-day”. Sir I think no option for this institution again this is the centere where now USAID, Chinese Aid and Indian Aid are much interested so without this equation it might had to face many turmoils. Rt. Hon’ble President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav has done justice of the guardianship “Although pro-monarchy forces have gained momentum in recent times attributing to negative performance of both ruling and opposition parties, return of monarchy as spelled out enthusiastically by some quarters is virtually impossible even with external back-up” I don’t think that this makes a bigger sense. (2) Option II: Formation of an independent civilian government representing all segments of society at the initiation of Rt. Hon’ble President at the capacity of custodian of the Interim Constitution and in wider consultation with all political forces with particular assignment to hold election for parliament and promulgate the constitution in conformity with the aspirations of common people within a year, in case of failure of option 1; This is the solution recommended as can be made. Respected sir This is my quick response of little knowledge. Sir please answer the bulleted questions for interview of yours. Sincerely Prabhash
  • Posted on - 2012-09-01    by     Niranjan Tibrewala
  • Prof. Dr. Dahal has presented the current economic and political status of the country. My personal observations are: 1, Prof. Dahal is talking about Democracy. It is important to define Democtacy from the eye/political ideology of United Maoist Party. Does this definition matches with the definition what Prof. Dahal has in mind or does this match with the Democracy mean to the world. 2, Maoist party follows the ideology which does not match with the ideology of the present Democratic party and the UML and other parties. Maoist ideology and others ideology are two extreme borders.For example: maoist plea for Racial base Federalism and others without racialism or even they say this should be on the basis of the econnomic sustainability representing all religion and cast. 3, what is the model wherein the national consent can be made? is it possible to get such model wherein two extreme ideology could come in one platform? these are the questions to the nation which is very difficult to answer.4, It is also very important to understand the Economic Model of the Maoist. This is not clear. Government formed from the Constituent assembly was primarily responsible to frame the Constitution of the nation and elect the parliament based on that constitution. But unfortunately, government formed during the period changed frequently and led the economy based on their ideology and forget the global economic model based on liberalized economy. It is very difficult to bring two extreme ideology in one platform. It is impossible. nation has to follow either of the ideology whatever the result is. So as suggested by Prof . Dahal, it is very impotrtant to have constitution framed by the experts, Government from civic society be framed who should execute fresh election for the parliament. New parliament whoever receives majority should form the government and lead the country according to their ideology- whether led by maoist or other parties. Now Nepalese cannot wait and waste their valuable time.
  • Posted on - 2012-09-01    by     Dr. Bal Kumar KC
  • Well done Madan Jee. I can see your frustation like that of millions of other Nepalese.
  • Posted on - 2012-09-01    by     Prof.Dr. Mohan Lohani
  • " Prof. Madan Dahal has , once again, deplored the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly(CA) on May 27 this year as 'a major political disaster never before in the history of Nepal'. It is a pity that the parties and their leaders ,as Dahal says, 'are yet shy and reluctant to openly admit the blunder',for which they should apologise to the people .Nobody would dispute Dahal's remark that by depriving the country of a new constitution ,the parties and their leaders have 'shattered the hope of the common people ' who have aspired for long to enjoy the fruits and benefits of democracy followed by rapid economic development.A national consensus is the need of the hour.Such a consesnus,as Dahal says, would 'break the impasse, pave the way to forge a national government,promulgate a new constitution and hold election in the not too distant future'. Prof.Dahal strongly pleads for injecting ethics into politics ,which implies that all corrupt elements that have plagued national life in all sectors from politcs to bureaucracy to the business sector should be ruthlessly pruned and weeded out.Only then opportunities could be created for the emergence of 'new,young, dynamic and honest leadership' capable of guiding the destiny of people and the nation. Prof. Dahal lashes out Maoist leaders who, in contravention of their own Marxist ideology based on class struggle, have been encouraging, for short-term gains, a few ethnic groups to create a federal state based on ethnicity.This is bound to disrupt communal harmony and goodwill that this country has enjoyed since ages. Prof.Dahal has proposed three options out of which option two,which is the formation of a govt composed of independent and impartial persons sounds more sensible and reasonable at this stage.In conclusion, Prof.Dahal once again appeals to the parties and their leaders to come forward with vision,foresight,honesty and competence for ensuring durable peace, stability and sustaining democracy .
  • Posted on - 2012-08-31    by     Dwarika N. Dhungel
  • I found the article, from the point of view of presentation, is a well written one from a prolific writer-cum-Professor of Economics. Both the diagnosis of the problem and solutions are well laid out. They provide the total picture of contemporary Nepalese politics. Hence I suggest to read it by all who are interested on current Nepalese politics. In the light of the growing polarization among the political actors, which I think is good to take out the country from present mess, I think it would have been better for the writer if he had not passed any judgment on the future of any political actor, whose presence could not be totally mitigated. I think, let the different actors fight each other without outside intervention unless the country turns into a violent and bloody state, and allow the country to reach to a logical conclusion. The half baked solution has been the problem in our country ever since 1951 AD. If the learned author thinks that a civilian government without the participation of the political forces can help the polarized group to a common plat form to solve the problem, I have no problem to accept such a government. In the light of the growing ethnic and other feelings that have plagued our beautiful motherland very badly and if they were not addressed carefully, probably we may go back to the period of Baise and Chubise rajyas, which some good friends are frantically trying their best to happen. To avoid and stop the country sinking to that situation (??), I think we should allow Nepalese people to caste their views on these and other important matters through a referendum, which is held in a free, fair and impartial manner with the presence of unbiased and independent international observers. I would be very happy to support if a civilian government for this purpose and getting a new constitution drafted by a group of imminent drawn from different disciplines, as I consider the Constitution framing should not only lawyers' paradise, is formed. Dr. Dahal, keep up writing such good piece.
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