Subtle changes in opposition strategy!

March 28, 2001
3 MIN READ
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Kathmandu: The opposition momentum against the government has taken a curious turn. Sadbhavana which sits in parliament opposing attempts to disrupt parliament says that it will oppose the ordinances when brought as bill for parliamentary approval. RPP, which contributes to the disruption of the parliament, says that it will not accompany the UML and other left parties in their street programs against the government. The UML has already begun announcing its programs on the street beginning this week and continues to disrupt parliament. The MLwhich is not in parliament is on the streets but calls for the dissolution of the parliament and an all party government to end the impasse and it also appears that it is in competition along with the UML and the Maoists to lead the Left street programs. The Maoists’ on the other hand have already announced a bundh next week.

Curious as these turns of events may be, the opposition appears united on matters of the Lauda affair and the ordinances. On the other hand, the differences in strategies suggest a clear breach in unity on the opposition campaign. Some sectors suggest that this is capital for government and that this has been so engineered by the much talked about visit here of former Indian Ambassador Krishna Venkatesh Rajan. Whatever, the breach in strategies appears significant.

On the other hand, the Left appears united on the need for a street campaign. Sectors suggest that “pro-India man” K.P.Woli of the UML is reluctant in this. But both parliamentary and non-parliamentary parties identifying themselves as “the Left” appear convinced that Girija babu’s adamant stand in parliament can only be defeated only in the streets. They have each devised their own street strategies. How from the UML, to the ML, to the Maoists’ these strategies will compliment each other ultimately will perhaps suggest the ultimate leadership that the street campaign will provide a phillip too. It is this that has to be closely watched.

Outside the parliament, which remains disrupted despite the many attempts on part of the government and the Speaker for a dialogue, much emphasis is being given to the gradual movement of the army troops in the border areas on plea of controlling illicit cross-border trade and controlling customs. Also important are the several messages coming through to public from sectors including government of the absence of law and order in the midst of which such crucial ordinances as that to do with the Armed Police and Regional administrators must be provided their parliamentary legitimacy. Given the state of the parliament the fact that these already constituted organs have their legitimacy questioned still provides an altogether different message to the people.