Model 1: Girija Is To Be Blamed

The NC was in power more than most during the 90s, and Girija was Prime Minister more than most. But instead of consolidating the democracy, the Girijas of the world became the new establishment. Massive corruption was institutionalized. The aspiratinos of the Madhesis, the Janajatis, the Dalits, the women, the poor were not given proper channels. Things fall apart when the center can not hold.

Girija's inflexibility that served so well in his quest for democracy became his bane post-democracy. A party with a clear majority going for mid-term elections is ridiculous. Girija does not know how to save face: he only knows how to corner his opponents into desperation. He does not understand compromise and coalition building is the name of the game in a democratic framework.

Because the moderate center did not perform, the left and the right came in to fill the vacuum.

Model 2: King G Is To Be Blamed

The king gets neither democracy nor constitutional monarchy, or he would not talk of being a "constructive monarch." He has acted a mirror image of the Maoists in trying to fill the vacuum left by the political parties. That might be cunning, and possible in the murky waters of today, but it is not magananimous. The king patronizingly refers to the country as his family. That shows a lack of gut-feel for basic premises in democracy.

King G got Chand to almost double the royal budget. That is NC style brahmaloot many times over.

Model 3: Deuba Is To Be Blamed

Why get rid of the parliament, bro! In the first place....

Model 4: The Maoists Are To Be Blamed

Not even the Chinese are Maoists anymore. The haat bazar in a remote village in Nepal is the market economy in action. The ancient Buddhist republics were democracies in action. Those twins are the necessary engines for growth. Gorbachev knows more about communist theory than Prachanda or Baburam, and he has said the market is it.

The LTTE have been far more lethal than the Maoists can ever hope to be, militarily. And the LTTE were not able to take over Colombo even after 20 vicious years. So the military option is out.

It is laughable of the Maoists to think the king will willingly give over power. Not this king. If anything King G will want to expand his role.

The dictatorship of the proletariat is not about to happen. Instead it is a game of who will blink first, and the two extreme sides do not care if the commoners suffer in the interim.

Supermodel 1: Panchayat II

There is a very real possibility the king decides he has had enough of it, and he plain takes over. Which will be the final blow of the right to the rest of the political spectrum. But such a move will, by definition, engineer a massive backlash. And more than Maoists will rally behind an all-out call for a republic.

Supermodel 2: "Jana Sarkar"

That does not exist in the rural areas either. It is more statelessness, lawlessness. And the urban centers hold strong. It can not be imagined Kathmandu can be taken over by the Maoists.

Not going to happen.

Supermodel 3: Constituent Assembly

This is the only option for quickie peace. But one suspects those now in power will not go for it. Instead they will wait and wait and wait. For the Maoists to possibly tire out. In the mean time, the people be damned.

Iraq will soon have elections for such a thing. And they will do fine for it.

Let the people decide.

But such a move will have to be simultaneous a total disarming of the Maoists.

Supermodel 4: Inflexibility

That Giriaj disease pervades the entire political spectrum. Mero goru ko barhai takka. This more than anything else is holding progress back.

धर्मको खाका त्यस्तो बन्यो जसले डोरीमा, डोरीमा पनि हैन- खुकुरीको धारमा हिड्न चाहिने एक सेकेण्ड पनि टुट्न नहुने सतर्कता, एक मिलीमिटर पनि डगमगाउन नहुने सन्तुलन, एकदिन पनि बिदा लिन नहुने बुद्धिमत्ताको माग गरयो । अर्को शब्दमा, ideal individual हरुले मात्र सफलतापूर्वक चलाउन सक्ने धर्मको निर्माण गरयौं हामीले । Real individual हरुले पनि चलाउन सक्ने बलियो धर्मको निर्माण गर्न पट्टी लागेनौं हामी । र डेढ दशक खेर फाल्यौं । गाँठी कुरो यो हो ।

धर्म लटरपटर भए नि धर्मपालकहरुले विवेक निकानेर चलाए भईहाल्यो नि भन्ने लटरपटरवादले बिगारेको हो हाम्लाई ।

लटरपटरवादबाट मुक्ति र स्पष्टवादको अंगिकार आजको आवश्यकता र समयको माग हो ।

अनि राजालाई उनको ईच्छा विरुद्ध हतकडी लगाएर, नजरबन्द गरेर राख्ने प्रजातन्त्रको torture दिन छाडौं । राजालाई यस्तो प्रजातन्त्र भन्दा त राणाशासन नै बेसी राम्रो होईन र ? No wonder शाही परिवारले राणाजीहरुलाई भन्दा अरुलाई कमै पत्याए, मान गर्ने त कुरै छाडौं ।

शाही परिवारलाई जीवनभर नजरबन्द गरेर सास्तीमा राखने होईन नेपालको स्वतन्त्र नागरिक भएर फुक्का बाँच्न दिऔं । यसैमा सबैको कल्याण र आनन्द छ ।

एउटा सान्दर्भिक समाचार आजको कान्तिपुर दैनिक बाट ........

कांग्रेस विधानमा 'राजतन्त्र' हटाउन बहस


कान्तिपुर संवाददाता

काठमाडौं, माघ ५ - प्रतिगमनविरुद्ध आन्दोलनरत कांग्रेसले पार्टी विधानमा राजतन्त्र राख्ने कि नराख्ने सवालमा औपचारिक छलफल सुरु गरेको छ । स्थापनाकालदेखि नै संवैधानिक राजावादी कांग्रेसमा पहिलो पटक राजतन्त्रको औचित्यमाथि बहस भएको हो ।

'पचास वर्षेखिको अनुभव र अभ्यासलाई ध्यानमा राख्दा पार्टी विधानमा राजसंस्थाको उल्लेख गर्नु के कति आवश्यक र औचित्यपूर्ण छ -' भन्ने प्रश्नमा कांग्रेसले मंगलबार पार्टी निकट बुद्धिजीवीसँग राय लियो ।

कांग्रेसले आगामी महाधिवेशनमा प्रस्तुत गर्ने नीति र कार्यक्रम तय गर्न प्रस्तावित अवधारणापत्रमा 'आजको युग राजतन्त्रको होइन प्रजातन्त्रको हो' भन्दै उक्त प्रश्नमा अन्तक्रिर्या गरेको हो । पार्टी तर्फ बाट नीति तथा कार्यक्रम विभाग प्रमुख रामचन्द्र पौडेलले उक्त अवधारणापत्र प्रस्तुत गर्नुभएको थियो ।

पौडेलका अनुसार अवधारणापत्रमाथिको बहसलाई पार्टी अञ्चल र जिल्लामा समेत लाने भएको छ । कांग्रेसले अवधारणापत्रमा प्रतिनिधिसभाको पुनःस्थापना गर्ने र माओवादीलाई वार्तामा ल्याई हतियारको राजनीति अन्त्य गर्ने सहमतिसहित संसद्ले संविधानसभाको घोषणा गर्ने कार्यसूची प्रस्ताव गरेको छ ।

कांग्रेसको नीति तथा कार्यक्रम विभागद्वारा अवधारणापत्रमाथि छलफल गर्न राजधानीमा मंगलबार आयोजित छलफलमा अधिकांश बुद्धिजीवीले महाधिवेशनमा विधानबाट राजसंस्था हटाउनुपर्ने राय दिए ।

प्राध्यापक संघका निवर्तमान अध्यक्ष खगेन्द्र भट्टर्राईले राजाबाट जनतालाई बारम्बार धोका दिएर प्रजातन्त्र खोस्ने काम भएको उल्लेख गर्दै युवाको सोचअनुरूप कांग्रेसलाई गणतन्त्रमा जान सुझाव दिनुभयो । 'मुलुकका लागि संवैधानिक राजतन्त्र अपरिहार्य छ भन्ने कुरामै कांग्रेसले पुनर्विचार गर्नुपर्छ,' उहाँको भनाइ थियो ।

प्राध्यापक संघका पूर्व अध्यक्ष भीमसेनदास प्रधानले प्रजातन्त्र र राजतन्त्र सँगै हिंड्न नसकेको अनुभवबाट पाठ सिकेर कांग्रेसले महाधिवेशनबाट राजतन्त्रको औचित्यकै बारे ठोस निर्णय लिनुपर्ने बताउनुभयो ।

प्राध्यापक लोकराज बरालले पनि कांग्रेसले विधानमा राजतन्त्र राख्नु जरुरी नरहेको विचार व्यक्त गर्नुभयो । महाधिवेशनले विधानबाट राजतन्त्र हटाएमा कांग्रेस संवैधानिक राजावादीबाट लोकतन्त्रवादी पार्टी हुनेछ ।

अवधारणापत्रमा कांग्रेसले राजतन्त्रको अस्तित्व कायम राख्ने हो भने राजाबाट अहिलेसम्मका सम्पूर्ण राजकीय विशेषाधिकार त्याग्नुपर्ने, राजगद्दी उत्तराधिकारसम्बन्धी ऐन-नियम संसद्बाट निर्मित र निर्देशित हुन दिनुपर्ने उल्लेख छ ।

पूर्व सांसद मानबहादुर विश्वकर्माले पन्ध्र सालमा कांग्रेसको साथमा रहेका दलित र जनजाति वर्ग आज किन टाढा भएका हुन् भन्ने सवालमा पार्टी गम्भीरतापूर्वक सोचेर नीति बनाउनुपर्ने औंल्याउनुभयो ।

बाह्र वर्षम्म शासनमा रहँदा कांग्रेसले समाजवादको नीति कागजमा सीमित राखेको गुनासोसमेत बुद्धिजीवीहरूको थियो । हरेक जाति/जनजातिले आफ्नो हक खोज्न थालेको उल्लेख गर्दै कांग्रेसले त्यसलाई सम्बोधन गर्न सकेन भने दूर्भाग्यपूर्ण हुने चेतावनी पनि उनीहरूको थियो ।

विभाग प्रमुख पौडेलले बुद्धिजीवीहरूको सुझावलाई पार्टी नीति र कार्यक्रममा समावेश गर्ने बताउनुभयो । 'मुलुकले परिवर्तन खोजेको छ । परिवर्तनको नेतृत्व गर्न सकेन भने कांग्रेस किनारा लाग्छ' भन्दै उहाँले महाधिवेशनबाट राजनीतिक, आर्थिक र सामाजिक रूपान्तरणका पक्षमा ठोस निर्णय हुने बताउनुभयो ।

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why is it like this????i can only see question marks??/whats wrong??
laaaaaaaaaaaa mero akha lai k bhayo...mero computer lai k bhayo hehehe...what type of font are u using?khoi nepe ra nispaksha ji le lekheko herum bhaneko kehi bujeena.

Dear friends,
निस्पक्ष जीको प्रर्स्तुती शैलीले मलाई त एक पटक चिसो पानीको पोखरीमा चुर्लुम्म डुबुल्की हालेर निस्केको जस्तो आभाष दियो। भने नेपे जीका भनाइहरु पनि उत्तिकै मीठा।
गाँठि कुरालाई सिधै राख्नु पर्दा अब यहाँ हामीले, दाइमाडो हाल्दाखेरि घुमाइएका गोरु जस्तै एकै ठाँऊमा फनफनि धेरै फन्का लगाउनु भन्दा एक खुड्किलो अगाडि बढेर कुरा गर्दा पनि दुनियालाई खासै आपत्ति नहोला कि।
मैले भन्न खोज्या कुरा के भने, अब हामि यतातिर पनि छलफल गर्नतिर लाग्ने थाल्ने बेला भयो कि,
सानातिना सबै कुरालाई थाँति राख्दै, एकातिर राजतन्त्रलाई निस्कृय पार्ने र अर्कातिर अहिले अन्याय अत्याचारबाट पिल्सिएर गणतन्त्रमा हाम्फाल्न खोज्ने, आन्दोलनामा उत्रिएका सबैलाई एकै ठाऊँमा राखेर साँप पनि मर्ने र लट्ठी पनि नभावचिने, यो हाम्रो जल्दोबल्दो समस्या निको पार्ने उत्तम औषधी केही हुन सक्ला कि? त्यो जादुको छडि कहाँ छ होला? कोसित छ होला?

नेपालका लागि यो सबै कुरा @नयाँ ठेकिमा पुरानो मही@ भन्या जस्तो पनि नहोस् भने अर्कोतिर साँप पनि मरोस् लट्ठी पनि नभाँचियोस्।
एउटा मेरो मनमा लाग्या कुरा के भने नि,
राजाले कम्तिमा कतिसम्म लचिलो हुनुपर्यो। अहिले आन्दोलरत माओबादीहरु कतिसम्म लचिलो हुनु पर्यो।
यी दुई नदिका किनारालाई एउटै बिन्दुमा मिलाउने चुनामी के हुन सक्ला?
नेपे जीले भन्नुहुन्छ मलाई थाहा छ। राजाले कि त स्वबिबेकले श्रृपेच फुकाल्न सक्नु पर्छ जनताको लागि केही गर्ने हो भने, कि त जनाताले कताललो समातेर घोक्रे ठ्याक लाउन सक्नु पर्छ नत्र यसले दिने वाला छैन।
मैले यहाँ जान्न चाहेको के भने नि, कम्तिमा राजा कति लचिलो हुनुपर्यो त? र माओबादीको सबभन्दा लचकता भनेको कस्तो हुन सक्ला।
दुबैको लागि Lower Limit के हुन सक्ला?

By the way thanks Nepe Jee for posting the news from Kantipur.
... ... ...
नेपालि काग्रेसले कार्यकर्तालाई भेडा बनाउँदै आएको छ। नेपाली कान्ग्रेसले १३ वर्षे शाषनकालमा गरेको ब्रम्हलुटबाट चिढिएका यसैका कार्यकर्ता अब गणतन्त्र भनिने पल्लो चौरमा हरियो घाँस भएको मृगतरष्णामा पर्न तालेका छन्। यी बेडाहरु कतै पल्लो चौरतिर हरियो घाँस कानलाई हाम्पाल्ने त हैनन् भन्ने जगजगीले गर्दा अब नेपाली कान्ग्रेसले पल्लो छौर पनि त हाम्रै हक (बिधान)भित्र पर्छ नि भनेर बिधानमाथि सम्सोधन गर्ने उछेतो हर्दैछ। यसले माओबादीहरुको क्रान्ति पछि पनि फेरि नेपाली कान्ग्रेस सत्तामा जाने त हैन।
॥
#नयाँ ठेकिमा पुरानो महि# भन्या यही हो।
... ... ...

Nepe ji, Dada giri ji

लौ हेर ! यै बेलामा काँग्रेसीजनहरु पनि हाम्रा गणतन्त्रपूरका बिदुरको रथमा चढ्न खुट्टा उचालेका । बधाई छ नेपे जी !!! परन्तु दादागिरी जीका मलुवा पाईनका गहकिला तर्क तर्फ पनि ध्यान जाओस् है । कहिले काँहि यी काँग्रेसीजनहरु 'घर पोलेर खरानि बेच्ने उद्योग' पनि चलाउँछन् ।

निख्रेर भन्नु पर्दा राजनितीको दीर्घकालिन सन्तुलनको बिन्दु गणतन्त्र नै हो, तथापी मुल कुरा दीर्घकाल कति लामो काल भन्ने हो । दश-बीस बर्ष भए त ठिकै होला, असी-सय बर्ष भए के नि ? कि नेपे जी ले नाती गणतन्त्रको बात गर्नु भएको हो ।

मेरो बिचारमा त नेपे जी ले जिरह गर्नु भएको गणतन्त्रको बिन्दु मा पुग्नु पहिले नेपालको राजनितीले या त माओबादीको उखर्माउलो तातो जनबादी चौतारिमा या त राजतन्त्रको सेपीलो छहारिमा केहि बेर भए पनि विश्राम लिने जस्तो देखिन्छ । यो मेरो 'के हुनु पर्छ' भन्ने बिचार नभै 'के होला भन्ने' तर्क मात्रै हो है ! यसमा द्विविधा नरहोस् ।

- निष्पक्ष

Nispakshajee,
You correctly identified the Humean "is-ought" problem in Nepali politics. However, as Searl proposes, the implicit "promise" of ought is what binds us all to its moral imperatives thereby making "ought" more important than "is".

भनेसी, गणतन्त्रको कुरा कति शिघ्र कति विलम्बित होला भन्ने अडकलबाजीको मियोमा घुम्याघुम्यै हुने भो ।

मेरो विचारमा यसरी फनफनी घुमेर रिंगटा लगाएर बस्न छाडेर शिघ्रतामा कल्याण लागे सोको निम्ति र विलम्बमा कल्याण लागे सोको निम्ति योगदान दिनुपर्ने समय हो यो । पाखामा बसेर तमाशा हेर्ने वा कछाड उचाली उचाली सप्पैलाई सत्तोसराप गर्ने वा दादागिरिले एक ठाउँमा भन्नु भा जस्तो डामेर छाड्या साँढे जस्तो डुँक्रिरहने ट्याम होईन यो ।

गोकुलजीले मनासिब कुरा गर्नु भो । 'के होला' भन्ने हात बँधाईले हामीलाई एक्ल्याउँछ, 'के हुनु पर्ने हो' भन्ने हात हलाईले हामीलाई जुटाउँछ, खटाउँछ ।

Looking at King G's continued ambition, and the mess that he has created in Nepal, it is very likely that he will be the last King in Nepal, thus making the prophecy -- king Prithvi Narayan?s line will last only upto the tenth generation -- to come true. And, who would want eccentric Paras (if you read his name in reverse, it is SARAP, i.e. a curse), becoming a king in future.

Perhaps, only advantage of keeping monarchy, if we keep it at all, will be to use it as a cultural symbol, to promote exotic image of Nepal in the world, very much like we have Kumari. A Himalayan kingdom, with a 200 year old royal institution would sound surely exotic (at least to tourists). But, never mind that, in 200 years, hardly there have been a single king, who was competent even to rule (most of the time Nepal was ruled by regents, Bahadur Shah, Bhimsen Thapa, some Maha Ranis, and later for 104 years by Ranas). Not a single king has been there, who is worth to remember!

AI Report - Nepal: Illegal killings on the increase

News Release Issued by the International Secretariat of Amnesty
International

AI Index: ASA 31/002/2005 20 January 2005

Nepal: Illegal killings on the increase


The number of people who are being illegally killed in Nepal is
increasing
and those responsible are using more sophisticated tactics to hide
their
crimes, according to a new report by Amnesty International.

"Both the security forces and the Maoists are deliberately executing
civilians and unarmed fighters" said Ingrid Massage, Asia Director at
Amnesty International. "What is most chilling is that these killings
are
going completely unpunished, despite numerous promises by the
government and
Maoist leaders to uphold human rights."

The report, Nepal: Killing with impunity, gives details of many people
who
have been unlawfully killed by both sides to the conflict since the
breakdown of a ceasefire in August 2003. It documents an increasing
sophistication among security forces in hiding these abuses, including
by
burying bodies and forcing local people to sign false witness
statements, as
well as a continued reluctance to punish those responsible. (Full
report
online at
- http://amnesty-news.c.topica.com/maac5Q9abdtT3cieCxfb/ )

Even those responsible for the most serious and high-profile abuses,
such as
the illegal execution of 19 unarmed Maoists in Doramba village,
Ramechhap
district in August 2003, have not been brought to justice.

In another incident, on 3 September 2004 three unarmed teenage girls
were
allegedly killed by security forces. Hira Ram Rai, 15, Jina Rai, 16,
and
Indra Kala Rai, 16, were followed by a group of soldiers as they left
their
school in Basikhora village, Bhojpur district. When the girls went into
a
nearby forest, the soldiers shot them dead and buried them. Their
killers
have not been identified or punished.

Maoists have also been responsible for killing civilians and security
force
personnel that they have taken captive. Among the civilians killed was
Dekendra Raj Thapa, a journalist and human rights defender abducted by
the
Maoists in June 2004 and killed by them on 11 August 2004. Maoist
fighters
responsible for such abuses are not disciplined and remain in their
posts.

"These unlawful killings are part of a terrible spectrum of human
rights
abuses. The Nepali people are living amid daily torture, rape,
'disappearances' and arbitrary arrests," said Ms Massage.


Amnesty International is calling for a number of actions including:

- The Nepali government and Maoists to keep their promises on human
rights
and discipline their personnel who commit abuses;

- The Nepali government and Maoists to cooperate fully with the
National
Human Rights Commission, sign its Human Rights Accord and accept
comprehensive monitoring;

- The UN Commission on Human Rights, which meets in March, to appoint
a
Special Rapporteur dedicated to Nepal.


"International pressure can make a difference. Last year, it helped
produce
a drop in reports of "disappearances' in Nepal. Now it is time the same
level of attention is given to unlawful killings and other human rights
abuses," said Ms Massage.


Background

Nepal has been gripped by a nine year conflict between Maoist
insurgents and
government forces. Since the breakdown of the most recent ceasefire
between
the government and Maoists on 27 August 2003, fighting has intensified
and
the human rights situation has deteriorated dramatically. Human rights
defenders have come under increasing threat and the work of the
National
Human Rights Commission has been obstructed by both sides.

Amnesty International has consistently condemned the illegal killings
carried out by both parties to the conflict. It has appealed to the
government to abide by its international human rights obligations,
including
to uphold the right to life. It has also urged the Maoists to respect
their
stated commitments to fundamental human rights standards and the Geneva
Conventions, which prohibit the execution of civilians and those not
actively engaged in combat.

The National Human Rights Commission has developed a Human Rights
Accord
that will commit both the government and Maoists to uphold human rights
and
accept comprehensive monitoring. Amnesty International urges both
parties to
sign this agreement, as a vital step for the protection of human rights
in
Nepal.

For a copy of the report Nepal: Killing with impunity
please see:
- http://amnesty-news.c.topica.com/maac5Q9abdtT3cieCxfb/

Take action and urge Nepal to ratify the Optional Protocol to
Convention on
the Rights of the Child!
- http://amnesty-news.c.topica.com/maac5Q9abdtT4cieCxfb/


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Ashu's/Deuba's Supermodel 5: Elections For A New Parliament is under serious doubt. I believe that brings us back to Supermodel 3: Constituent Assembly as the best option.

"To go for the elections at this time is to become fully submissive to 'regression'. Congress will not submit itself to the regression at any cost......"
Girija Prasad Koirala, president of Nepali Congress and former prime minister, addressing party cadres.

Elections impossible: MK Nepal

These two just so happen to be the two largest political parties in the country.

Nepal
Killing with impunity
-- http://web.amnesty.org/library/index/engasa310012005

Related article. The author may have even read some of the sajha threads before writing this article :-)
http://www.nepalnews.com/ntimes/issue231/nepali_pan.htm

Although my nick resembles pro democratic vis-?-vis revolutionary, by nature I am the other extreme. I have my own way of peeping things no wonder why most of the closest Nepalese hate me labeling ?Raja badi?. I don?t refute; I am ?Raja badi? and I am proud of it.

Jumbling with models and supermodels I finally came into my own conclusions that are best to go withr Nepal and Nepalese people.

I have no reason to blame Girija or Dewba. We gave them mandate to run our country. We let them free to act upon their own. Thanks to the lure of democracy they are the most corrupted leaders we have. I don?t want any examples of USA, or any other developed nations where presidential rule is working fine. We are from Nepal; the most poor and highly illiterate nation in the world. We have to bear in mind that presidential rule works fine where people are not ignorant.

Discussing what is good and what is bad for Nepal is surely appreciable. I do like to discuss on different agendas. Residing in developed country and giving statements on ?anti king? is kind of unacceptable, at list for the shake of poor Nepali.

We are living in a democratic country and we should respect freedom of speech. But? isn?t it very early for us to out throwing king? This is Nepal and we are ignorant about politics. What do you except from those 56% of illiterate Nepalese who are treated as a vote bank from our politicians? Do you expect them to choose the right candidate as a president of Nepal? Don?t you expect our future president becoming like Girija or Dewba?

Yes, India is the best example to counter my opinion. But remember, it would be much easy for Delhi to manipulate our natural resources with a small bribe to our future president.

Model number 1:- We are to blame not Girja or Deuba
Super model: - Constitutional Monarchy with multiparty democracy.

of course, constituent assembly is the way to go. more power to the
peoples who are for this option. it is a fallacy to believe this is the niji
agenda of the Maoists ONLY, and that advocating this position is
supporting the Maoist rebels. the truth is politically-conscious Madhises
to Janjatis to Dalits to Adivashis to women to other minorities - even
those have been victims of the Maoist violence - are increasingly clamoring
for contituent assembly. hope the political parties that make up the
government and the government sit up and listen to the peoples' voices
rather than parrot the 'elections' or 'reviving the parliament' mantra,
which seems to be coming from powerful quarters, from the very
people who made a big mess of this country.

karmapa

Imagine this: Deuba announces elections. Koirala Congress, the UML, half of Deuba Congress, and the rest declare they are not going to take part. Then what?

Reviving parliament. Even according to the Grandpa Of The Idea, Koirala, it will have to be done by the king through the universally loathed Article 127. And the king has made it very clear he will not go for it.

Koirala is angling for a revived parliament because that will bring him center stage. Madhav Nepal wants a revived local bodies, because that brings him center stage. It is almost like it is business as usual for these people. That there is no crisis. And political angling for power should continue on as usual.

For Deuba (or any Prime Minster) to say they will talk with the Maoists, but only within the current constitution is like saying they do not want to talk. The Maoists on their part have crossed many human rights boundaries. Child soldiers, for one.

What about this:

(1) Deuba announces open talks where all options are on the table.

(2) Agree to the Constituent Assembly talk, but only if the Maoists disarm. To that the Maoists will say, no, instead we want to merge into the Nepali Army. Deuba says, fine, but all of your cadres will have to apply individually. Like new recruits. And all those who pass the "entrance" requirements will be taken in at the level of their qualification, but not en masse, not in "Maoist battalions."

(3) Then hold elections. The new elected body drafts a new constitution that is put to a referendum. If the referendum accepts the constitution, the elected body stays on as parliament. Or new elections are held. Two elections will be cheaper than the ongoing civil war and paralysis.

(4) There is a strong possibility the monarchy might come back. The people might decide to keep it. Most important the Maoists will be disarmed. The Maoists are the weaker party. But it would be a bad idea to try to rub their nose in the dust. Better to help them save face. True, they are theoretically Maoists. 70 years back they would have been Stalinists. But then 20 years back the UML were communists. 30 years back Koirala hijacked a plane. 70 years back the Shahas did what the Ranas asked them to do. The Maoists are a protest movement. They are not communists in the old fashioned way. Most of their grievances have been Janajati grievances. That is more ethnic than industrial labor stuff.

If you are going to hold elections anyway, there is not much difference between an election Deuba and the king want, and one for a Constituent Assembly.


karmapa: "... it is a fallacy to believe this is the niji agenda of the Maoists ONLY.... the truth is politically-conscious Madhises to Janjatis to Dalits to Adivashis to women to other minorities - even those have been victims of the Maoist violence - are increasingly clamoring for contituent assembly....."

Exactly. Maoists or not, I am for a Constituent Assembly. A constituent assembly to draft a constitution. Referendums for all major decisions. Parliamentary elections and processes for regular power stuff. One person one vote. Democracy.

It is a democracy thing. It is to say the 23 million Nepalis are the ones who ought to decide.

King G is shrewd; one cannot underestimate his political cunning. Maoist or no Maoist, he is playing his hand the way he wants to.