Political events of last few weeks have demonstrated that there is an unprecedented support behind the reactivation of the Constitution of Kingdom of Nepal 1990. Although the ways chosen for reactivation of constitution are little different, the commitments expressed by monarchy, democratic political forces and general people, are a major achievement. Just a minimum level of political flexibility from monarch and political forces could bring the country back into normalcy – and the constitution would also bounce back with renewed strength based on constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy. Once good sense prevails between monarchy and democratic forces, any sort of solution, whether holding general elections, forming all party government or reviving of parliament, will be acceptable

By KESHAB POUDEL

“Size is the poorest test of man’s or a country’s greatness. We know also that many of small countries have had brilliant period of history,” writes the first Indian prime minister and statesman Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru in his book Glimpses of World History.

Like it was said by Nehru, the history of Nepal is also full of greatness of political leaders who always avoided bloodbath and confrontation for the sake of national unity. Despite being in a country of small size with diverse ethnic groups, monarchy and democrats – Nepal’s two pillars of national unity – have hardly allowed the situation to reach to the point of no return. Whenever there appeared confrontation; compromise, consensus and harmony have prevailed in the end.

Be it during the revolution of 1950 or political turmoil and referendum of 1979 or political change of 1990, solution was found through compromise between patriotic and democratic forces.

This time, too, monarchy and political forces have expressed the tone of compromise and negotiations. Like their earlier leaders, Nepalese people and leaders have shown exceptional quality of compromise.

Consensus on Constitution

Although they stand in different paths, the real force is behind the constitution. King and political parties – popular forces capable to mobilize the masses – are behind the constitution. By mobilizing people in rural and urban areas, they have shown that a large number of people are with this constitution.

What an irony when some elites are trying to project the existing constitution as meaningless, the real political forces have shown that they are totally committed to the document. Interestingly, not a handful of elite, but the combined power of King and political parties is still the decisive political force in the country.

Be an extreme communist party or moderate ones, all of them are backing the demand of liberal democratic party Nepali Congress to activate the constitution.

It has again been proved that constitution is still a popular document and it has capacity to accommodate traditional forces monarchy and modern democrats as well as radical forces of the country. Good sign is that the solution could be found in the constitution.

Fortunately, all the parties – whether they are extremist or forces representing constitutional monarchy – are firmly committed to the constitution including constitutional monarchy. Then what about the slogan of republican at the street? That is just a political propaganda.

Along with other leaders, supreme commander of agitation Girija Prasad Koirala stands firmly with the demand for activating constitution. In his own words replacing this constitution by another will be like opening a Pandora’s box.

If constitutional forces unite together, the debate on constituent assembly or republic will just die down. The demand of radical communists – who are taking part in the agitation demanding to bring the constitution back to the right track – is also commendable.

Instigating Voices

At a time when there seems to be unprecedented support for compromise and reconciliation, retired university professors and senior UN civil servants of Nepali origin Kul Chandra Gautam, who came Nepal as an envoy of UN secretary general Kofi Annan, are instigating political leaders and monarchy.

Nobody knows on whose inspiration or whose interest these intellectuals are inciting, knowingly or unknowingly, for confrontation when the agitating Nepalese political leaders are desperately looking for compromise.

Despite the will of political leaders, there are no dearth of people who play the game of political anarchy encouraging hostile moods in Nepal as well as foreign country.

One of the important aspects of Nepal’s five decade long democratic history is that whenever there has been a crisis of confidence between monarchy and democrats, many individuals in different faces work to fish in troubled waters.

Consensus and Compromise

Like agitating political parties, monarch and people, in general, have shown their commitment to the constitution. So there is much common ground to bring them to a meeting point.

When parties are exhibiting flexibility, monarch, too, has to extend the hand of compromise. Once they compromise, the prevailing uncertainty will come to an end.

“Our agitation is not against the constitutional monarchy. Once the constitution is activated, we will withdraw our agitation,” said Congress leader Girija Prasad Koirala, who is leading the agitation.

In the history of Nepalese politics, this is for the first time when such a large number of people have joined the agitation with demands for activation of the constitution. From Nepali Congress, a liberal democratic party to People’s Front, an extreme communist party, lawyers, journalists, disabled and government employees have joined the agitation launched with an aim to activate the constitution.

“I don’t know any country in the world where people came to the street in support to activate the constitution like this. This is a good sign for constitutionalism. Previously, the agitation used to be launched with demands to abrogate constitution,” said an analyst.

Changing Coverage

From media coverage to debate, the focus is now on reactivation of constitution. Previously, there used to be wide media coverage on insurgency and terrorism but now major headlines are related to reactivation of constitution. This popular upsurge of the mass is involving all major parties in support of the constitution.

The popular upsurge also showed that the country’s majority of people are with the constitutional forces and nobody favors the violence.

Despite being provocative at times, all the media headlines are related to the upsurge with a demand to activate the constitution of Kingdom of Nepal.

Political leaders should be aware that it should lure the common people and the agitation should not be anarchic and disruptive to the life of urban people. Only peaceful agitation can change the fate of people.

“Whatever the cost we have to pay, we must stand for the peaceful agitation. Peaceful disobedience is our strength,” declared former prime minister and commander of agitation Girija Prasad Koirala.

Just like they preach, Koirala and other agitating leaders should not go for disruptions. King should have realized that the expression given in the agitation is also in favor of institution of monarchy. Whatever the slogans raised, the agitators’ simple demand is activation of constitution.

Role of Political parties

Political parties are integral part of present constitution as they mobilize and organize the people. Although it is popular, monarchy does not have mechanism to mobilize the people. During the Panchayat days, then King used to mobilize his political forces through the nationwide elected representatives or legitimate institutions.

Following the restoration of democracy in 1990, King does not have any such advantage. His presence is merely symbolic and he cannot lure the people through legitimate political institutions like in Panchayat days.

In the last three years, certain actions of monarch and democrats, knowingly and unknowingly, contributed to ripen the crisis of confidence. Once confidence and trust is restored, every political step- whether restoring parliament, holding elections or forming one party government or all party government – can be taken.

King Gyanendra has enormous sympathy and support throughout the country but he does not have institutions to mobilize the people like political parties. As a unifying force of Nepal, King should get rid of prejudices against any particular politician or party.

Whether one likes it or not, political parties have shown that people are behind them when they raise genuine issues like activation of constitution.

Present set of political leaders might have committed mistakes but there are ways to correct them and purify the political process.

Congress leader Girija Prasad Koirala, CPN-UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal, former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and RPP leader Pashupati Sumsher Rana have the organization to mobilize people. Though they are radical and small, Lilamani Pokharel, Narayanman Bijukcche and Hridayesh Tripathy, too, have their institutions.

“This is an unprecedented agitation in any country of the world where people have shown such a big faith upon the constitution. Had political leaders avoided violence, this agitation would have been the first of its kind organized with a demand to activate the existing constitution,” said a political analyst.

Massive support of people to the constitution expressed in agitation proved that university professors and intellectuals – who are trying to discredit present constitution terming it as being non-functional – are no more than a bunch of unrealistic people.

Commitment to Constitution

Monarchy and democrat – Nepal’s two pillars of stability – have often shown that they do have courage to overcome political crisis through compromise and recognition of each others’ survival.

Although some leaders and workers of agitating five political parties have been harping derogatory slogans aimed at widening the rift with monarch and some staunch monarchists have made efforts to provoke the democrats, a large number of silent spectators are expecting to see the agitation end in compromise.

Likewise, by declaring his commitment to democracy, the monarch has also expressed that he will abide by the constitution. Unlike any other tyrannical leaders, democrats are genuine allies of monarch.

“If we ignore the interview of Time Magazine and Nepalgunj address, King Gyanendra’s address in Pokhara show that he is committed to hand over power to the elected representatives,” said Speaker Taranath Ranabhat. “Since the ball is in the court of King, he has to take initiatives to find a solution.”

The experiences show that monarchy is a liberal ally of democrats. Unfortunately, some of Nepal’s liberal democrats and their so-called intellectual supporters see monarchy as a threat to democracy.

If democrats really want a political solution, they must include monarchy on their broader frame and firmly issue notice to their workers not to use derogatory remarks against monarch.

Compromise and Consent

Because of common political interests, patriotic and democratic forces have many similarities and few differences. Despite their political differences, agitating parties back the monarchy. Political history of Nepal is full of compromise between patriotic and modern democrats as these two elements are two wheels of Nepal’s national unity.

Despite the street battle, misunderstanding and points of confrontation, Nepal’s political forces know what is their real strength and weakness. Democrats, though they are loosing their temperament, know the importance of institution of monarchy and its support to sail the democratic process through turbulence.

“We want to see immediate constitutional and political step from King to activate the constitution so that the clashes could be averted,” said former prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala, in his statement. “Sooner the step is taken, better for the country.”

Following the October 2002 action by the King, Nepal’s political process was derailed. Since the Constitution of Kingdom of Nepal is still there, the process can be revived once a minimum level of understanding is reached among the political forces.

Time of Consolidation

Democrats – who have been calling for the resolution of the political crisis through compromise – must give up confrontation with monarchy to end constitutional deadlock. One of the foremost tasks is to pave the way for compromise and consolidation between them. For the broader interest of the country, there must be close cooperation among patriotic and democratic forces.

If democrats want to bring the constitutional process right to the track, they must follow the right path themselves. As political deadlock continues, political instability seems to be prolonging. The question remains: who will benefit from the growing conflict and misunderstanding.

Crisis of confidence among country’s major political forces – monarchy and democrats – has become a major factor hindering the process of compromise. At a time when the country is facing a serious crisis, the urgent need of a country is to find a solution between monarchy and democrats on the basis of national unity.

“We cannot save any nation that is not determined to save itself and willing to make substantial sacrifice,” writes Chester Bowles, former American ambassador to India in his book The New Dimension of Peace, published in 1956.