Opinion As politicians abdicate

Maoist chief Prachanda and his deputy Baburam Bhattarai made a few attempts to visit the place after they joined mainstream politics in 2006. However,each time they got close to the place,courage failed them. Last Thursday,Prachanda did go there,amidst heavy state security and his boycott by almost all other political parties. Prachanda said that what happened at Bandarmude was an aberration,not permitted by the laws war. He declared,“I have come here with a financial package of Rs 6 million that the victims will receive.” The key accused in the case have been promoted in the party organisation. Prachanda maintained his silence on the trial,but he made every effort to project himself as someone concerned about the victims. Politics now hinges on the election to the constituent assembly (CA) once again,with the Maoists and the international community prescribing this as the only way to steer the nation from the political and constitutional deadlock.

No serious assessment has been made by the four major parties,including the Maoists,as to why the first CA elected in 2008 could not deliver the promised constitution. US Ambassador Peter Bodde promised to extend all help to conduct the elections. The EU has not concealed its full support for the formation of an electoral government headed by Chief Justice Khil Raj Regmi,although Nepal’s interim constitution expressly prohibits judges taking up any such role. The Nepal Bar Association and the Supreme Court are at loggerheads now,with the CJ determined to accept the offer on condition that he be allowed to continue as CJ.

As if the Indian government’s multi-channel efforts were not enough,spiritual guru Ravi Shankar recently visited different parts of the country,appealing to his followers to participate in the election. Many international personalities and occasional visitors have a tendency to project their prescription as the “only option” that Nepal is left with. They have hardly taken into account the diminishing support for the local leaders.

Prachanda,backed by the leadership of the big parties,now hopes that,despite the decline in his support and credibility within Nepal,international actors and diplomats coming to his rescue will do a lot for him. But inside the country,the ongoing legal and constitutional battle against the move to make the CJ the PM and the apparent deal the CJ has made with the discredited leaders can still upset that move. And still,the bigger question is whether the willingness of the leaders to let the CJ head the government will be projected as their inability to lead their parties and the government in future.

yubaraj.ghimire@expressindia.com

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