Editorial
Winter used to breathe cold on Kathmandu politics as well. Campuses would close; meaning, perpetual student cadres that romp the political streets are on holiday. Looks like the past years have made sure that politics cannot take a winter holiday. The Nepali month of Paush, for example, used also, to begin with, the late king Mahendra’s Panchayat anniversary the celebration of which had taken a back seat for the past three decades of the anti-panchayat wave. The streets rolled on that day too this year and the monarchy comes yet to focus in the month which includes King Birendra’s and Prithwi Narayan’s birth anniversaries all three occasions attract larger numbers each year of the republican present and even the Nepali Congress must muster comparable crowds in remembrance of the near deified B.P.Koirala. This month, moreover, sees the streets with anti-MCC crowds which, to add to the political fervour, confronts a legislature sitting only to be disrupted by the opposition UML. Yes, politics is hot this Paush too. No respite.
Perhaps, Kathmandu denizens would welcome calling off winter holidays in exchange for decisive street politics and the anticipation for such is usually aroused when the streets blow hot. Unfortunately, though, this winter sees such enthusiasm diluted somewhat by a meandering of purposes and unwelcome interference of ham-handed enthusiasts bankrupt in their knowledge of politics, a topic, of course, on which everyone is the expert. It is at such times when one recalls the late king Mahendra who is admired much for his access to information, his control of information and his skilful use of such information for the furtherance of his objectives. His workers were clear and confident in their pursuit of objectives and Mahendra is said to have ensured this through unimpeded communication and monitoring of activities that no middle-men could disrupt. Pous has begun well with K.P.Oli allegation at Maoist supremo Prachanda covering up his proximity with king Gyanendra evinced in a now suppressed agreement among the two. Eager media persons have finally zeroed in on Birendra Jhapali who, along with the late D. R. Lamichane, a contributor to this paper’s former sister Samrachana, were conducting later aborted talks with the palace on behalf of the Maoists. One can dismiss Oli’s allegations as just that, allegations. But there could be more. Oli could well by reminding the country that things once more could lead to nowhere.
It is this that must draw concern. Proper command and control are lacking everywhere in Nepali politics yielding initiatives elsewhere inimical to the state. Ambitious self-serving underlings, in the absence of command and control, seek to usurp national objectives and keep priorities short of achievements. This winter promised to be hot on objectives and achievements but is likely to waste opportunities again. It is not for nothing that a freshly strengthened K.P. Oli launches salvos at the rest. At least he is in command. One wonders if anyone else is.
Login to add a comment