Note no. 390	8.07.2007
NEPAL: The Problem of Dealing with Monarchy: Update no. 129 By Dr. S.Chandrasekharan. It is observed that to most of the parties and the urban elite in Nepal right now, the major problem appears to be- how to deal with the monarchy? The activities of the Maoists and their sister organisations who continue to get bolder and more aggressive or that of the JTTM cadres in Terai who appear to be keeping the Terai as hostage resulting in shortage of essential goods to Kathmandu valley or the economy which continues to slide but saved by the remittances of the workers and the soldiers in the Indian army, do not seem to trouble them, but the monarchy is. For this, the leaders of the seven party alliance are themselves to blame. Either they are confused or they want to continue confuse the cadres or may be, they want to obfuscate the real issues facing and instead use the issue of monarchy to divert peoples attention. Other wise, how does one explain the statement of the Home Minister on 2nd July at Bhadrapur when he had specially gone to Terai to examine the law and order situation in Terai which has continued to deteriorate? After making a pious warning to the Maoists by declaring that the need of the hour for the Maoists is to follow a democratic system and give up rebellious and undesirable activities. If they do not, such activities will harm the party itself,"  He then turned his attention to monarchy and said - Monarchy is weak now - but there are chances of conspiracy by the monarchy- People should be alert. It looks that the priorities of the government are lopsided. Confusion was further confounded when G.P.Koirala once again reiterated his view on 17th June when he said that Monarchy could be retained in this country- if King Gyanendra and the Crown Prince abdicated the throne before the CA elections for the betterment of the country. It is not known whether G.P. has discussed this issue with the monarchy but it looks that he has been discussing it with him as other wise, he would not have made that statement for the second time. Prachanda as expected, strongly condemned the view of G.P.Koirla. He said that the statement was proof that he ( G.P.Koirala) and his party were still in favour of monarchy. Prachanda warned that the Maoists wills strongly protest such remarks and press for complete abolition of monarchy through the Parliament. That there is confusion in the Nepali Congress was clear from the statement of Ram Chandra Paudel, the Deputy leader also who said that the party will champion the cause of a republic and that the Party will either call for a Congress or a G.A meeting to make its formal line public. The three day birthday celebrations of the King beginning from 6th July should be another pointer of the confusion that is prevailing. The dinner reception at the palace on 6th evening went on amid protests from the students and activists of the eight political parties of the government. Out of 800 invitees only 125 attended and they were mostly former Panchas, royal relatives and former army officials. The Prime Minister, Speaker, the Army Chief and senior officials of the government stayed away from the dinner. The diplomatic community collectively decided to stay away from the party. A group of royalists who were heading towards the Palace to mark the Kings birthday was attacked by YCL cadres on the 7th and nine royalists besides two Policemen were injured. A pro King rally was prevented from being taken out from Ratna Park to the Palace by the student wings of the parties and the YCL cadres. Judging from the critical situation faced by the monarchy, should the King have chosen to celebrate his birthday in a grand manner?  It is time to avoid any confrontation and give the people a real chance to decide on the monarchy before instead of provoking any short cut! It is time also for  the Nepali Congress to take a stand on the republic even before the elections. Dr. Sunder Mani Dixit, the well-known civil rights leader sarcastically said that neither the house nor the government can declare a republic and it is merely a ploy to keep the people in the dark. Both the Nepali Congress parties are hell bent on retaining monarchy. Confusion among the ranks of the seven political parties whether deliberate or otherwise is only helping the Maoists to gain an upper. The Maoist cadres down the line are clear as to where the party stands on the question of the monarchy and the future set up of the country. Prachanda made the curious statement that he would be the first Executive President of the country for five years and would restructure the whole country. Recently on 6th July he indicated that disarmament and restructuring will not apply to the PLA cadres and that it would apply only to the regular Nepalese Army. These will be the shape of things to come when he becomes the President! The priority of the Government and the Home Minister in particular should be how to bring about a semblance of order in the country before the CA elections which have now been notified to be held on November 22nd this year. Life in Terai has virtually come to a stand still. Both the JTMM, the MJF and the Terain Outfit of the Maoists are vying with each other to prove their strength and calling for the bandh. In Sunsari District alone, 70 industries have closed down. The situation is no better in other districts. Almost all districts and particularly Morang, Sunsari, Siraha, Sarlahi, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Bara and Parsa Terai are badly affected by frequent Bandhs called by one party or the other. Finally, a meeting of the Cabinet Ministers on 24th June decided that the Constitutional Assembly Elections (CA) will be held on November 22 this year. The UN Mission promptly welcomed the statement and said that the decision on the date was a critical step in the peace process and that it indicates the strong commitment of the political parties to work together to fulfill the historic promise to the people of Nepal to form a democratically elected Constitutional Assembly But it added that the parties should forward a realistic plan both technical, logistical as well as on political and security issues. It again reiterated the importance of a fully independent national monitoring body to support peace process implementation. Wise words but the basic issue still remains- how to bring about an atmosphere where people can freely go about, canvass and vote for the candidates of their choice. Right now it is not there and the Maoists more than anyone else will have to relent. The General Secretary of the Nepali Congress, Arjun Narsingh K.C has once again accused the Maoists of not taking the peace treaty and other agreements seriously! .
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