Rajat KC: Crisis Of Present Nepal

Once Present Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala mentioned that the word starting from M alphabet is most hated word for him. M means as he indicated were Marxists Leninists, Mashal (one of the fraction of communist in Nepal) and Mandale. He added Maoists on it just after the Maoists started armed revolution more then a decade ago. Now the time has changed as the Seven Party Alliance (SPA) and the Maoists formed an alliance, the Maoists became the closest ally of the PM Koirala. In present Nepal, M-6 becoming the most substantial factors because name of all key actors starts from M alphabet; which are - Maoists, Monarchy, Military, Moriarty, Mukharjee and Martin. My effort in this article is to highlight the desired objective of the Maoists and relate them with end objectives of remaining M-5 in regard to ongoing political crisis in Nepal.

The Maoists are main elements in M-6 due to the reason that the country had to suffer a decade long ruinous bloody insurgency, which took life of more than 15000 people. During Janaandolan 2 (Second popular movement) they shook hand with the SPA which provided them unexpected success; as a result, they are now in interim parliament and government of Nepal. Even though the Maoists are in government, they are acting like an aggressive/hostile opposition force and still creating violence and vandalism throughout the country. Since their ultimate aim is to establish totalitarian communist regime in Nepal, they are keeping every one in confusion on their end goal and taking benefits out of the fluid situation.

Military is true instrument of national power in Nepal. The Nepalese Army is nation's sole military force, raised by the King Prithivi Narayan Shah during his unification campaign. Now, as per the peace accord signed between government and the Maoists, the national army is restricted in the barracks, doing just routine duties. During insurgency period, after receiving serious blow from the Nepal Army the Maoists realized that they can not achieve their end objective by military means. They are forced to change their strategy and created a political alliance with the SPA. Surprisingly, that alliance succeeded to achieve political victory, which brought the Maoists in present position. Since the Maoists are in government and parliament so they now retain "key" of the nation's instruments of power including military along with their private rebel force. The Maoists has clearly understood that without destabilizing structure of the Nepalese Army (by penetrating in to the National army), their future dream (ultimate aim) will not come true. As per the present constitutional arrangement, the Nepalese Army can not be mobilized unless the present government (that includes Maoists as well) gives an executive order. Yet the Maoists fear with the army probably due to their past impression. Now the Maoists are trying to encroach in the national military force. They want to legitimize their rebel force by giving national status so that they can be easily inculcated in the Nepal Army. They are also trying to establish personal relationship with senior military officers to influence them in to their party's interest. They have even appointed one of the retired army General in to legislative parliament in their quota.

Another M factor in Nepal is Monarchy. The Nepalese Monarchy is more than 238 years old. The modern Nepal was unified by King Prithvi Narayan Shah the great and ever since the country of Nepal is ruled by the Shah dynasty. Truly speaking, out of 238 years, the Rana family ruled for 104 years and about another 100 years were also not directly ruled by Shah Kings. The actual period of Shah Dynasty ruling was from 1961 to 1991. After restoration of multiparty democracy in 1991 the Nepalese Monarchy became constitutional. However, the democratic Nepal could not move forward smoothly even a decade of restoration of multiparty democracy. The aimless war staged by the Maoists commenced during this period. As a result the country reached virtually on failing stage. The Monarch tried to bring derailed democracy on track but his move could not be accelerated in proper direction as he expected. As a result the Maoists and SPA created alliance as orchestrated by India, which forced Monarch handover power to SPA. At present the institution of Monarchy is in critical stage. In fact the Maoists have nothing to justify their bloody war in the cost of life of 15000 people. Therefore, in order to justify their so called people's war and take credit of present achievement they are targeting the institution of Monarchy by revolutionary slogans. The Maoists are launching wide spread propaganda against the monarchy to portray latter's negative image in national and international arena. They know that as long as Monarchy exists in Nepal their ultimate dream can not materialize. Hence, they intensify their campaign to eliminate Monarchy prior to election for the constituent assembly.

Other three M factors are international actors, Mukharjee, Moriarty and Martin. Shivshanker Mukharjee is Indian Ambassador to Nepal. The Maoists believe that they can deceive India by pretending that they are committed to democracy by hiding their hidden objectives. The Maoists must have also overlooked that Mr. Mukharjee and his country will never compromise in the cost of their national interest for any other reason. On the other hand, as India is known as largest democracy in the world, they cannot support the Maoists if they deviated from actual democratic norms and values. It seems that India is not satisfied with the activities of the Maoists and its sister organizations.

Moriarty, the US Ambassador to Nepal is known as another M of M-6. James F. Moriarty (US policy) is one of the biggest hurdles to the Maoists to achieve their desired objectives. The Maoists are dead scared with the name "Moriarty". Moriarty is a major factor to protect democracy in Nepal from the threat of the Maoist takeover. No other elements of the nation in present context are seen as effective as Moriarty to take stand against the Maoists hegemony. America, as a sole global power, has taken strong stand for the safeguard of democracy and peace in Nepal. The Maoists are creating numerous conspiracies against Moriarty to demoralize him with allegations of imperialist and violator of diplomatic norms. They even mobilized YCL to attack Ambassador Moriarty. Interestingly, all the attack and allegations staged by the Maoists has rather backfired and damaged the image of Maoists themselves.

Last but not the least Martin is another main M factor in the crisis of present Nepal. Mr. Ian Martin is Special Representative of Security General (SRSG) of the United Nation, head of the ongoing UNMIN. Despite so many hegemonic behavior of the Maoist he looks very flexible and soft while he is dealing with the Maoists. His strict and honest endeavor will certainly play vital role to achieve desired objective of comprehensive peace agreement to find lasting peace and democracy in Nepal.

Nepal is heading towards the election for the constituent assembly. Present understanding between Eight Party Alliance (SPA-M) indicates that they are willing to hold election in November '07 but it is still unknown that when that will actually take place. If all democratic forces along with these M-5 (excluding Maoists) plays positive role in ongoing peace process, peace and democracy is not in distance and the end objectives of Maoists will remain as day dream. In that circumstance M-6 (including Maoists) will have no other options than to contribute honestly for the success of peace process. All inclusive democracy is the only way out to achieve lasting peace in Nepal. If any internal actors try to corner or eliminate other and two major foreign powers did not honestly play crucial role, Nepal will likely to face another seemingly endless bloody civil war.

ENDS

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