Nepal’s Spring Magic

It appears that Nepal’s political developments are destined to change dramatically during the spring. The First Jan Andolan which led to the abolition of Panchyat System was the result of popular protest movements spreading through the months of March and April in 1990. The recent Democracy Movement had emerged from popular agitations against King Gyanendra’s rule during April 2006. After the Constituent Assembly elections last year on April 10, many had hoped that the spring ritual had worked its final magic. But Nepal was greeted with another spring surprise this year. Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Nepal first communist Prime Minister resigned from his office on May 4, 2009.

[Reuters/Gopal Chitraka]

The immediate issue that led to P.M. Dahal’s resignation was the controversy over the unconstitutional sacking of Army Chief Gen Rookmangud Katawal. The crisis had been brewing since mid-March when the Government has refused to extend the tenure of eight National Army (NA) generals. The decision was opposed by the National Congress and the Supreme Court reinstated the concerned generals directing the Government to re-consider its decision. The CPN-UML threatened to withdraw support from the Government if the Maoists cadres did not forsake the use of violence. P.M. Dahal’s decision to sack Army Chief Katawal provided the CPN-UML with the much needed excuse and the Party finally withdrew support from the Government on May 2. On May 4, P.M. resigned from his post in a television address where he criticized the President for acting beyond the prescribed constitutional role by reinstating Army Chief Katawal.  A conglomeration of 22 parties led by the CPN-UML agreed to form the Government a day after P.M. Dahal resigned.
Even before the Nepal’s new political system could be institutionalized, the politicians are busy reaping political spoils. Nepal’s Constituent Assembly looks more like the Parliament of any third World country where discussions are belittled through political duels. The narrow agendas of the four main political parties have overpowered the process of Constitution drafting in the Nepal.
The media and poplar limelight on the CPN (M) has created an impression that the Maoists have derailed the democratic process in the country. The fact however remains that all parties are equally to blame. Nepal’s current P.M. Madhav Kumar Nepal, (CPN-UML) had lost the elections in April 20008 from two constitutes demonstrating his complete lack of popular support.
Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) has split into two factions following differences over ministerial posts in the newly formed Cabinet. The Upendra Yadav faction of the MJF withdrew support from the CPN (UML) led coalition Government on June 5 following Bijay Kumar Gachhadar’s (leader of the MJF breakaway faction) appointment as Deputy P.M. The portfolio tug of war has taken precedence over any efforts to consolidate the country’s democratic roots.
As a reward for Nepali Congress’s support to the new coalition, Sujata Koirala, daughter of G.P. Koirala was appointed as Nepal’s Foreign Minister. NC leader G.P. Koirala has been widely criticized for running the Party as a private institution and Nepal’s oldest party is fast loosing its democratic appeal.�
The CPN (M) has threatened to resume the People’s War, with Chakra Bahadur Thapa claiming that the weapons of the former Maoist fighters are in their homes and not stored in the UN monitored camps. The protests by Maoist cadres have begun to cripple normal life in Nepal.
Nepal’s vengeful politics has even maligned the United Nation’s peace and reconciliation efforts in the country. The United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) was entrusted with supervising the peace process and disarming of the personnel of the People’s Liberation Army. The personnel screened and verified by the UNMIN were expected to be inducted in the national army. UNMIN’s mandate was extended in January 2009 and is due to expire on June 23. Not only will it be difficult to arrive at a political consensus for extending the tenure, the popular antagonism against the UNMIN has been widespread following the release of P.M. Dahal’s video tape. The tape reveals Dahal’s speech where he claims to have hoodwinked the UNMIN by inflating the size of the Maoist guerilla force during the registration process.
With political parties in disarray and international intervention discredited, Nepal’s democratic stability is severely challenged. The process of Constitution drafting has not made much headway and voices for reviving the Monarchy are gaining momentum. Hopefully the next spring will bring durable peace and sustainable political reforms to Nepal.