Pushpa Pradhan: Gaur And The Palace

The killing of three dozen plus people and injury of almost 4 dozen more in the Gaur clash was an unfortunate episode in the history of this country. But this shows our politics in recent years has been strongly influenced by arms and confrontations. After 10 years of armed insurgency, the Maoists became a political power. They have now started to believe that they are the only power to dominate the political forces and they wish to do everything including rule the country but without giving up their weapons. Earlier to the Gaur accident, the industrialists demonstrated against the Maoist extortion, abduction and torture of industrialists. A hotelier and a press owner had been abducted and tortured in Kathmandu. Thousands of industrialists and many more general people gathered at Basantapur to protest against the Maoists' activities.

In Gaur, the Maoists, to demonstrate their strength, challenged the Madhise Janadhikar Forum (MJF). The Maoists have shown a negative attitude from the beginning towards this outfit. Although, the MJF had expressed its desire to initiate talks with the government, due to the Maoist attitude, talks have not been able to take place. MJF had demanded for resignation of Home Minister Krishna Sitaula, who is accused by the MJF as a spokesman of the Maoists. This demand has also been neglected. Didn't these events also contribute to the Gaur bloodbath? According to reports, MJF was to hold the mass meeting at one place, but the Madhesh Mukti Morcha, a Maoist affiliated organisation, attempted to capture this same place and the clash erupted.

Earlier to the Gaur carnage, above 40 people have already lost their lives in encounters at different places. Different Madhise organisations and communities are involved in the MJF movement and it is said that some political forces from UP and Bihar have expressed solidarity with the MJF movement. But the SPAM government has not been serious with such developments in the Terai region. Instead, it is fighting for important portfolios in the ministries. In fact, the Terai agitation can be taken as "3rd people's movement", considering the loss of lives and property compared to the April jana-andolan II.

THE PALACE

According to different Maoist leaders, "regressive forces" including the Palace and Indian Hindu fundamentalists had a hand in the killings in Gaur. Not only that the Maoists saw the demonstration called by the industrialists in Kathmandu and announcement of indefinite nationwide strike of industries as per the direction of the Palace. They say these 'regressive activities' are taking place to disturb the proposed constituent assembly elections. If they are right, it seems the Palace is so strong that it can easily influence everyone, everywhere! One thing, those who believe the end of the Palace role and establishment of a republican, are now seeing the Palace everywhere!

We had agreed for CA polls by mid-June, but the eight parties have not been able to announce the polls date until the last week of March. Poll dates should be announced by the interim government, but when this government is going to form, it is not clear yet. My one friend said, the nominated interim legislatures wishes to enjoy their posts for a longer period, thus, the CA polls won't take place as per schedule.

TAIL PIECE:

I received an interesting SMS on my mobile:

It says, a Maoist leader's wife I nformed her husband that she was pregnant. The husband promptly said: "How can this be? I have been underground, so surely there must be the Royal Palace hand behind this. By tomorrow, we will produce evidences."

ENDS

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