Caste,animals,uncertainty dominate Nepal polls

Caste continues to the basis of soliciting support even for individual candidates. An advertisement in a national daily asks for vote for Prabha Satyal and identifies her as “Daughter of Gajurel clan,niece of Adhikari clan,daughter in law of Satyal family”. All the clans mentioned belong to the Brahmin community. Electoral laws and the code of conduct prohibit use of caste and religion as the basis of soliciting support,but it is vague whether castes do figure in such identity politics,and the election commission has been uncertain how to respond to it.

Following the end of insurgency in 2006 with the entry of the United Communist Party of Nepal-Maoists in the pro-democracy fold,and the abolition of monarchy in 2008,the constitution-writing process has not moved forward.

Adding colour to the contests is the use of animals as symbols. Vivekhseel Party,a loose organisation of educated youths, has fielded candidates in four of 10 constituencies in Kathmandu,somehow seeking to send a message that they are the Nepali version of India’s Aam Aadmi Party. Their symbol is the dog,which some say has double meaning: they will remain loyal to Nepal – most big parties are accused of being run by external forces – and they will keep a vigil on what the big parties and their leaders do. Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal,with its “Hindu Nepal” and monarchy slogan,has the cow as its symbol.

Maoist Chief Prachanda has a solution to every problem. In eastern Nepal recently where wild elephants cause destruction to the locals every year,he said,“If we are voted to power,we will control the elephant menace.”