Posts Tagged ‘Nepal’
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]
CPN (M) - Political Induction without Democratic Orientation
The political instability in Nepal following the resignation of P.M. Dahal was a potent crisis building to explode. While the international community was occupied with concerns of Taliban in Pakistan and LTTE in Sri Lanka, Nepal was gradually inching towards a crisis situation. The developments in Nepal are a stark reminder that forces of social and political extremism cannot be hurriedly inducted into mainstream politics of South Asian countries. But the current political turmoil has come as a blessing in disguise of Nepal’s democracy. Nepal’s struggling democracy has come under a challenge from which it can emerge stronger and healthier.
P.M. Pushpa Kamal Dahal had sacked Army Chief Genereal Rookmangud Katawal following the latter’s refusal to induct 19,000 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) members into the National Army (NA). Though the Nepali President Ram Baran Yadav had reinstated General Katawal, the loss of support from coalitional partners forced P.M. Dahal to resign on March 3.
The National Army’s confrontationist postures have made the political crisis even more critical. There have been reports that the NA was even planning a soft coup if the PLA cadres were forcefully integrated with the regular Army units. Click to continue…
Emergence of ‘New Bargainers’ in South Asia - II
Maoists as ‘new bargainers’ in Nepal
The Community Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-M) spearheaded the People’s War against the Monarchy in Nepal since 1996. The CPN-M shares its ideological philosophy with the tenets of Mao’s Communism and aspired to establish ‘people’s democracy’ in Nepal by overthrowing the monarchy and feudal elements dominating Nepal’s polity and society. Lenin and Mao’s communist ideology was contextualized as the “Prachanda Path” – politico-social philosophy elucidated by the party’s Chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda). 
The Maoists had adopted the tactic of guerilla rebellion to realize their objectives in Nepal leading to a decade of armed struggle between People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and the Government forces. Approximately 13,000 people lost heir lives and more than 100,000 were displaced in the PLA-National Army confrontation. Click to continue…
Emergence of ‘New Bargainers’ in South Asia - I
Mainstream politics in South Asia is undergoing a major transformation. Recent developments in the region indicate that elements from the extreme left, armed factions, separatist groups and the ideologically marginalized are entering mainstream politics. Is this transformation reflective of wider democratization or radicalization of politics? Click to continue…
Reinforcement of Armed Power threatens Nepal’s Peace Process
The Application From is worth ten cents. The requisite qualifications are: Healthy, interested youth over the age of 16 years, who are ready to sacrifice and have vigor. Additional Information: Those disqualified by the U.N. Monitoring Body are also eligible to apply. Click to continue…