Delhi trip to restore initiative?

October 13, 2004
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Thapa: I have a good offer for you Koirala Baboo!
Koirala: I’m tired Thapa Jee! This CIAA….!

Kathmandu: His Majesty’s new Delhi visit is widely awaited as a watershed in the current deadlock in Nepali politics per se, the event is likely to further clear the hazy Nepali picture on the choices available to give impetus to the current deadlock now that the Maoists have made clear that they will not talk with the Prime Minister Deuba and his current coalition partner- the UML.

The choices before the country are now being increasingly narrowed. The Maoists refusal for talks make evident that Deuba must push for elections regardless of the insurgency. This would mean that organized politics would either have to back the Royal effort to put the constitutional process back on track or would have to side with the Maoists and junk the constitution outright. The latter choice would be that some step to ignore the constitution becomes inevitable. If the insurgency can demand it for its favor, such a step could also be taken against it.

Obviously the preferred measure would be a constitution one, where cooperation is sought from all constitutional parties. That this may not be easily forthcoming has been demonstrated over the past two years of the use of Article 127.

This then gives meaning also to the “under-the-table” talks between S.B.Thapa and Girija Koirala who appear aware of the need to create a constitutional option to the Deuba Government.

Clearly, the focus will be on what the incumbent Prime Minister does in the context of the fact that he must soon announce election prior to the expiry of his mandate in government. This makes it evident that the UML posture will be keenly watched. If the UML blows hot against the Maoist demanding that they come to the tale, it blows cold simultaneously by telling government to announce unilateral cease fire. This strange situation created by major coalition partner in government not towing the government line makes possible the expectation that the UML and Jan Morcha worker is designed to force these left “co-travelers” to jump ship.

The conclusion now is that a strong measure by state is overly due regardless of the intensely partisan approaches of the constitutional parties to woo which the King’s use of the Article 127 has deprived the monarchy of the necessary initiative. Perhaps the Delhi visit will enthuse this initiative once more, it is felt.