Kathmandu: The congress conflict for election symbol and the parliamentary case for reinstitution remains the dominant source of indecision for Nepal’s parliamentary parties. Regardless, the UML appears to be in the forefront in taking up the election challenge, but with condition. Concerned that elections under the current circumstances may not be “free and fair” presupposes another movement in the offing if reversals are met at the polls. This concern is aggravated by none less than Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba who, in the bid to win over the congress, predicts a 90% win for himself.

The Deuba utterances become easy meat for those grasping at excuses to hit him. The confidence he must demonstrate in his speeches allow this opportunity. The use and misuse of the government machinery for his purposes give his opponents ample examples. The fact that none other than the security forces are bearing the burden of law and order in the country give Deuba opponents the chance to pervert interpretations regarding Deuba intents.

Approaching election demand that party politics treat Deuba as among the foes by all other parliamentary competitors. In this gambit Deuba’s isolation must be wearily watched. As much as opponents would want to drag in the Monarch in Deuba’s action and highlight the perennial “democracy under threat” bogey, Deuba appears also to be cashing in on the resurgence of the Monarchy’s popularity by coseying up to the Monarch. It is this that is dangerous. The partisan use of the Monarchy may in their own diverse and contradictory ways may benefit party politics. But it is contradictory to the interests of both the constitutional Monarch and democracy.

However, none in the political camp would want to recognize this for their own petty gains. Once more the constitutional Monarchy is at issue in insinuations. It is that is dangerous.