On/Off the Record
By P.R. Pradhan
Nepali politics has really become very dirty. Either talking about the ruling party or the main opposition party, those non-qualified, non-visionary, but power greedy elderly people have occupied the leadership and they are fighting against each other just for getting the bigger size of the cake.
While claiming for the larger size of the cake, one section of the leaders has reached to the street, whereas, the other section is in the government. Those in the streets are demanding for reinstatement of the already dissolved House of Representatives, whereas, the other section in the government is pleading for a fresh people’s mandate. Those in the street see a serious threat on the “loktantra” with secularism, federalism and republicanism, which is, in fact, the Indo-West agendas imposed here. To support those in the streets, the Citizens’ Group has been surfaced overnight. Understandably, this group is popularly known as the dollar farmers. Where were they disappeared when Nirmala Pant was heinously murdered after a rape; where were they disappeared when India had published the new political map by including Kalapani, Limpiyadhura, Lippulekh territory of Nepal; where were they disappeared when border pillars were disappeared and the Indian border security force had encroached Nepali territory in different districts? Now, they are seen in the Kathmandu streets against the “unconstitutional” act of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. Surely, they have received dollars and Euros.
Of course, the westerners are worried from possible dismantle of the present system as there is strong pressure from the general public to end the provincial system as well as secularism introduced by the constitution not through the fresh mandate but through a conspiracy. Therefore, the Citizens’ Group has become active under the initiative of the INGOs championing for Christianity, federalism and ethnicity-based provinces.
What the general public achieved from federal structure except for the tax burden on them!
Look at the demonstrations taking place almost daily in Kathmandu and other districts! The human sea has been demonstrated by bringing people from nearby districts by paying daily wages, lodging and food expenses for them. Alas, those unemployed people have participated in the political rallies and assemblies with the hope of earning around two thousand rupees per gathering. Both the pro-government and anti-government rallies are being organised by spending millions of rupees. If the fund was invested for a productive cause, it would help to make the country prosperous and people happy. Unfortunately, the leaders are spending the fund ether to remain in power or to topple down the rival group from the government and enjoy the power. The general public is getting nothing else.
More seriously, the leaders who are in the government and those who are waiting for the government position, are contributing a lot in the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic by organizing such gatherings violating the World Health Organisation prescribed health guidelines. This has proved that they are not serious with the general public’s health but very much concerned with enjoying power. What can we expect from the leaders having such am ill intention!
This scribe is less bothered about the court verdict – either it will reinstate the House of Representatives or approve the PM’s decision as his prerogative to dissolve the parliament – as in both cases, nothing very special is going to happen! Understandably, if the parliament is reinstated, Pushpakamal Dahal or Madhav Nepal or Sher Bahadur Deuba is going to become the next prime minister. They are going to do nothing for the nation. If the Court will give the verdict approving the PM’s action, the nation will go for a fresh people’s mandate. Maybe, elections are not going to take place on the given dates. Maybe, the elections can be postponed until the festival seasons or say after the Dasain, Tihar and Chhat festivals, again, the very ugly and corrupt people are going to be elected as we have not been able to educate and change the mind of the voters! However, the latter option can be a hope for a better.
The best that PM Oli could do and win the hearts of the Nepali people – if he really loves his motherland and wishes to make his motherland bringing out from the present mess – he should perform an act of courage to dismantle the present political system by ending federalism, secularism and republicanism. We believe, instead of spending money and energy to defend the present political system, the patriotic force should come down to the streets to overthrow the present political system to save the nation.
Login to add a comment