Opinion Bypassing the machine

Parallel to these developments,Regmi refused to accept the election commission’s proposal to bring all security forces under its command once the election process begins. Regmi is emerging more powerful by the day,at the expense of the four-party machinery. That relations between the machinery and the government are not cordial became obvious when Finance Minister Shankar Koirala said publicly that “bringing a budget was a constitutional prerogative of the government,and consulting any one for that was not necessary.” But Regmi justifies each action,and from every platform issues an appeal to make the election a success. His government has not,however,declared the date,although both the government and the EC have made it clear that it is not possible in June. There are many hurdles. At least 33 parties have questioned the constitutional validity of a government headed by the sitting chief justice. They assert that the four-party machinery and its control is extra-constitutional,and will affect electoral fairness. Regmi is perhaps using that resentment to get out of the parties’ control. That,however,has created fresh doubts about polls in November.

“If elections are not held in June,they will never take place,and we will launch a movement,” said Maoist chief Prachanda,who was the first to propose Regmi as government head. Even the Nepali Congress seems beset with internal disputes,as seen in its national convention where at least one-third of the 1,300-odd delegates signed a petition demanding Nepal’s status as a Hindu nation be restored. In a direct challenge to the Maoist line on federalism,the NC convention announced it will oppose federalism based on ethnicity. A direct confrontation between pro-election parties on vital components of the future constitution is not good news.

The people are angry or even indifferent. Regmi and his cabinet of retired bureaucrats may have seen the chances of continuing beyond November should the election not take place,but the government’s legitimacy will continue to be questioned.

yubaraj.ghimire@expressindia.com

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