Opinion Between ritual and rhetoric

With the actors divided,President Ram Baran Yadav is once again cajoling top leaders of these parties to ensure elections take place by mid-December. But he seems as frustrated and demoralised as many in the country. This also shows things are not likely to move in the desired direction. Hopes for elections by mid-December are fading fast. Baburam Bhattarai,a strong votary of elections by December,recently accused Western countries of trying to sabotage the polls. Meanwhile,Regmi has come under severe criticism following media disclosures that he “illegally” favoured Gezhouba,a Chinese company,allowing it to expand the Trishuli 3-A hydro project to 90 MW against 60 MW agreed earlier. His government took the decision at a time when it should have realised rupees 820 million in penalty from Gezhouba for the delay in executing the earlier contract. Regmi’s close relatives are found to be acting as “commission agents” in the expansion.

There are indications that India and Western states,which lobbied successfully for a “neutral government” under the CJ as the best guarantee of a “free and fair poll”,don’t appear as sure any more. Bhattarai made his allegations soon after his meeting with the newly appointed British ambassador. Worse,the erosion of the Supreme Court’s independence is an issue publicly debated by the Bar and on public forums,following Regmi’s refusal to quit the CJ’s post. Hearing of petitions against Regmi’s appointment as the executive head had been deferred 16 times. But it was taken up last week,given the public interest involved and the anger over it.

The president’s “active parleys” with leaders of the four parties show how desperate he is. By owning up that an electoral government led by the CJ was his idea,he was hoping to take credit for its success. But now,Yadav knows he will end up a failure like the CJ,given the latter’s scandals and visible inefficiency. Besides,the four parties have a monopoly over power and the political process. Under pressure to quit and to declare the poll date,Regmi has a difficult choice. He will opt for the second option to save his skin,but there is no guarantee that it will ensure his survival.

A frustrated president,a CJ-cum-executive head perceived as a failure and lacking probity in public life,international stakeholders with no accountability,and a public indifferent to elections are hardly a recipe for hope when it comes to democracy and political stability.

yubaraj.ghimire@expressindia.com