Deadlocks and debates dominate political landscape
Political parties say the efforts are on to settle the grumbles that have put a deadlock on the peace process and jeopardised the unity of the eight parties. Yet, the situation on the ground has not improved and the parties are still pointing their fingers at each other for who should own responsibility for all that is happening now.
It has almost been a month that the parliament has not been able to function, firstly due to the obstruction created by the Maoists and then followed by Madhesi MPs. Even Rastriya Prajatanra Party MPs have joined this brigade by putting forth their 17-point demands.
The demands at the parliament are diverse. Madhesis demand cancellation of the recommendation by the Constituency Delineation Commission and fresh census in Terai. The Maoists demand immediate declaration of republic and date of constituent assembly polls. The obstruction by the Maoists has ended for now after the party filed the motion of public importance on republic at the legislature parliament. However, their motion could not be processed due to continued barrier put by other groups.
Minister for Local Development and a senior Maoist leader Dev Gurung said unless the political differences are sorted out, parliament session may not take place.
For the seventh time in last one month, on Wednesday, the house session has been adjourned until May 24 even though prime minister and Speaker made efforts till the last hour. Unable to end the deadlock, Speaker Subas Nemwang has left for the US.
Parties blame each other for all that is going on. Standing committee member of the UML, the second largest party in the parliament, Jhala Nath Khanal says it is all because of the stagnant posture adopted by the Nepali Congress.
The cause of the problem lies at Baluwatar, which is occupied by Nepali Congress, Khanal repeated several times. “The Baluwatar is motionless despite holding the authority of the head of the government as well as the state,” he added.
At a time when all parties, mostly the communists, have blamed NC and Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala for the political deadlock, Congress maintains that everyone should share the responsibility.
PM Koirala, who has remained silent on the issue of CA polls after the election commission announced its inability to hold the election on the stipulated date, opened his mouth full 21 days later at the meeting of the party district presidents where he said he is ready to accept the blame for not being able to hold the polls on scheduled time.
In the past, the PM had repeatedly said he is committed to hold the election on the date mentioned in the interim constitution. Even on Tuesday before returning to the capital from his hometown Biratnagar, PM Koirala said he was committed to hold the election by November as advised by the election commission. Other parties say it is not certain yet.
Contrary to PM’s willingness, the continued obstruction of the parliament has delayed passing many legal instruments necessary for holding the polls.
On the other hand, it has already been two weeks since the meeting of the council of ministers has been last held. Minister Gurung said they have asked for regular meeting but there was no response from Baluwatar. Usually cabinet meetings are held twice a week, or at least once.
Koirala said he would take the initiative to end the deadlock. But prior to his return to the capital, Maoist chairman Prachanda left for his tour to western remote village after making another attempt to forge the Left unity. Failing to convince the top UML leadership on the need of unity, Prachanda has met another influential leader of the party Bam Dev Gautam on Tuesday morning in Pokhara to press his point of view.
Back in the capital, in line with the statement of Prachanda, UML general secretary Nepal said the basis of unity of the eight parties has ended since the coalition failed to complete the task it was mandated by the Jana Andolan II. This is another hint towards political polarisation.
Khanal also hinted the possibility of further polarisation if the Nepali Congress continued to stick to its position in favour of the ceremonial monarchy. He said movement is inevitable for the establishment of republic.
The Maoists have already announced their intention to resume movement in streets, parliament and cabinet and, as rehearsal to that, have intensified demos and vandalism through different Maoist-affiliated organisations. Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula has become a mute spectator to their uncontrolled and unruly activities.
Amid these uncertainties, Nepali Congress still maintains silence on monarchy and is seeking a new ground to hold the unity among the eight parties together to let the peace process move forward smoothly. Hopefully, as PM Koirala has said, the unity will remain intact until he is there.
Published in Nepalnews.com