The value of deadwood - Nepali Times

MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA

Unwittingly, the NC's Ram Chandra Poudel, the lone candidate for the prime minister, seems to have acquired the magic wand needed now in Nepali politics. Given the arithmetic in the Legislature-Parliament, he can't win the election for prime minister, but he can't lose either.

However, after his 12th defeat, his candidacy has a value that has so far not been exploited to end the deadlock. In this political monopsony, the bargaining position of the buyer is as powerful as that of a seller in a monopoly.

There have been multiple multi-point agreements since November 2005 among the political parties. Few of the provisions have been fulfilled, but what the political parties have failed to achieve the deadwood candidate could deliver.

Here's how. The parliamentary laws governing the election of the prime minister stipulate that once the process begins, it cannot be stopped unless it acomplishes the task it has set out to do: elect a new PM.
The laws also do not allow amendment to the existing provisions. Put simply, so long as Poudel stays in the race, neither Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal nor UML chief Jhalanath Khanal, who have withdrawn from the race, can become prime minister.

Surely, Speaker Subas Nembang owes an explanation to the public as to why he is allowing these serial elections without the political parties first reaching a consensus on the next prime minister. He has given in to pressure from the Maoists and the UML faction led by Khanal in continuing to hold one inconclusive election after another. Trust the stickler lawyer in Nembang to go by the book. He has ruled out any amendment, pointing out that the constitutional provisions and procedures cannot be flouted to begin a new process to form the government.

This might help explain the desperation of the two communist prime ministerial aspirants. The Maoist-UML three-point agreement, signed and announced on the day the NC's general convention began in Kathmandu so as to put pressure on the party and its prime ministerial candidate, has backfired on both the communist leaders.

As a result of that agreement, Dahal is now out of the race. To his horror, he found out that he can't become the prime minister unless Poudel backs out. Suddenly, Dahal has become the most flexible leader in Nepali politics thanks to Poudel's defunct candidacy. There's no way the situation can move forward without the two communist parties reaching an understanding with the NC. In other words, we can finally hope for some real compromise on contentious issues related to the peace process and drafting of the constitution.

The effect of Poudel's candidacy is already visible (and audible). The political parties have formed a task force to settle disputes over the provisions in the new constitution with Dahal as its chairman. The Maoists have also become flexible over speeding up the process of integration and rehabilitation of ex-Maoist combatants living in UN-monitored cantonments throughout the country. Given the history and fate of such flexibility, it is still too early to conclude whether these are meaningful developments but at least the political parties are talking about ways to minimise their differences.

Poudel's candidacy may actually lead to tangible and workable agreement(s) over contentious issues related to the peace process and drafting of the new constitution. There's no point asking Poudel to withdraw as some have done. The focus should be on how to extract the maximum out of his continuation in the race.

So, here's to deadwood candidacy.

Damakant Jayshi's column, My Take, will appear weekly from this edition of Nepali Times. damakant(at)gmail.com

1. who cares
is the irresponsible puspa still in nepal?

why does he have to visit outside when there is a problem to be solved in nepal?

these maosit either go to foreign country or start party's central meeting whenever negotiation begins?

these idiots see more power in the hand of foreigners than nepalese.

dont they see, remember maoist or others get things done when people too wish for it and they cant get it done, even foreign powers, if people dont want it.

if chinese politicians put some wisdom into puspa's empty skull, we may see some progress, but if they motivate puspa, we may see prolonged deadlock.

puspa gang, and jhallu ram gang are the ones who suffer the most from deadlock.

Posted on: 22 OCT 2010 | 11:58 AM NST

2. Nirmal
Surely, Speaker Subas Nembang owes an explanation to the public as to why he is allowing these serial elections without the political parties first reaching a consensus on the next prime minister. He has given in to pressure from the Maoists and the UML faction led by Khanal in continuing to hold one inconclusive election after another. Trust the stickler lawyer in Nembang to go by the book. He has ruled out any amendment, pointing out that the constitutional provisions and procedures cannot be flouted to begin a new process to form the government.

Oh I see! Those who were in the front line to motivate the President to take extra-constitutional move(not because I am saying this but the verdict of the court also reckons my affirmation)are now in the position contrary. Round and round all in the same circle, nah? In political science it is called to lose the position whereas Ram Chandra Poudel has gained the position. KP Oli-Madhav Nepal alliance has also their share of blame for this blockage of democratic process. This drama was already forseable(well i did it long before it started), now it is less significant to name who the "responsible"is, the main actor of the drama.
One thing is to gain the position and another completely different thing is to win the battle. The maoists are doing exactly what they are used to:prolong the battle and this blockage serves them well to portray the whole parliamentary system as an evil political management for Nepal.
If the rightists in Nepal had been efficient people Damakant, our country would have turned into singapore or Switzerland long before.
The challenge now for everyone is, how to rescue the whole parliamentary system(now CA) out of four hiper-politicised men's control. And speaker Nembang should work in that direction to allow the proper functioning of the Nation's highest elected authority. The current model is a harmful precedence for the future of our Democracy.

Posted on: 22 OCT 2010 | 2:23 PM NST

3. Arthur
This is an exceptionally pointless article, boasting about exceptionally pointless behaviour. With such inspiring apologists, no wonder Congress is a dying party.

What happened to Prashant Jha? This level of "analysis" will lose readers very rapidly indeed.

Posted on: 22 OCT 2010 | 6:38 PM NST

4. anish thapa
a total mockery of the nation at the expense of the vast majority of poor people of Nepal. Democracy cannot function in a country of selfish, manipulating and outdated minds.

Posted on: 22 OCT 2010 | 11:07 PM NST

5. Thuldai
Good article Damakant ji.

@Arthur: Don't even compare Damakant with Prashant Jha. Prahsant has yet to grow up. Making sentences in English and dishing out third-class political gossip doesn't make one an analyst. BTW, why don't you go back to where you come from and root for commies there? I'm pretty sure at present your country has plenty of commie causes that need immediate attention and as many cheerleaders as possible. Or are you scared that you might not stand out among the other parasites of bourgeois progress.

Posted on: 23 OCT 2010 | 2:58 PM NST

6. rishav
Re : Thuldai

Well said Thuldai.

Arthur is a loser in his own country. I suspect he doesn't even have the confidence to express the same looney left views we are accustomed to in his own country. So, he thinks us Nepalese being poor, underdeveloped, without real understanding of communism would accept his bull but unfortunately for him we don't which really get's under his skin.

Arthie usual reply being. " but you middle class .....blah. blah. ...bourgoei.. feudal... regressive,.....out of touch...," The guy is mad obviously, get's all upset when put in his place and can't accept the valid points people bring up which he fails to appropiately reply.

This article is decent by the way, highlighting the idiocracy of the whole situation and way the stalemate has forced the Maoists to finally negotiate and ease their stand.

Posted on: 23 OCT 2010 | 5:44 PM NST

7. indigenous

Well, another one bites the dust. Anti Maoists propoganda campaign run by Lainchour. I wonder how long will they let our country survive.

Posted on: 24 OCT 2010 | 11:21 AM NST

8. Anonymous
As if the Constituent Assembly has become, as a famous Nepali saying goes, "baandarko hatma nariwal'. Isn't the current political quagmire a resultant outcome of the combination of 'runche rajniti' of Nepali Congress and UML, and the 'makhedau' of Maoists? Believe me, both Marx and Gandhi would be surprised to find what kind of PUNDITS practice politics in Nepal. What a terrific place, where neither 'satyagraha' nor 'dialectics' works!! It is not a surprise why the adage goes the place is ruled by the Lord of the Animals ('Pashuka Pati). How long the Nepali people have to endure suffering and humiliation, once ruled by the Ranas, then, by the Shahas, and, now by a bunch of Bahuns, being treated as a herd of silent cattle and sheeps? Tell me who is going to benefit from the on-going limbo!

Posted on: 27 OCT 2010 | 11:35 PM NST

9. DG
The solitary rebel.-Ram Chandra.

Jodi tor dak sune kaiu na ai',ekla chalo akla chalo akla chalo re.

(If no one responds to your call, walk alone ,walk alone, walk alone.)

Posted on: 28 OCT 2010 | 6:16 AM NST

10. BILL FRIDAY

1. Let me tell you the things that you all know.

2. You are writing Constitution in 21st Century, so it should come good so that it may become a reference for future. The World is assimilating and becoming more and more homogenous.

3. Importance of next Govt. is to complete peace process and bringing of fairly good Constitution. If next Govt is not formed wisely it may not be able to settle differences on Constitution, Constitution may not come out or if it comes, it may not be that good and peace process may not come to completion.

4. Past two consensus Govts were lead by Maoist and UML but progress so far in Constitution and peace process is still vague. So, rationale behind why Congress should lead the next Government is to take you out of this vague, enable completion of peace process (because Congress initiated it) and to bring relatively good Constitution.

5. I think Sushil Koirala is one of the most experienced leader in Nepal who is contributing his life for the Nation than any others. When he forwarded RCP, I think he forwarded a Democrat who is also amiable to both UML and Maoist. But this election Fiasco reflects that all Maoist, UML and Madhesi Forum consider RCP as enemy(?). I do not like enemy word but I have to use it here.

6. Voting in CA ï¿½ Any bill that goes to CA for voting is in the interest of public or the nation and has a purpose and so is the election of Prime Minister. There should be only two answers for this either Yes or No. Either bill passes or it does not. There should not be anything in between as long as there is a free will of CA members. Abstaining from vote, staying neutral implies one of the five possibilities. First, either CA members have not read the bill (or the bill has gone back for revision); second, CA members are sick or out of the country for a valid reason; third, irresponsibility, negligence of (by) CA members for which there should be some Law or way to correct; fourth dirty politics and bargain at the cost of public or national interest for which there should be some Law and way to correct and fifth absent of free will for which there should be some Law and way to correct. Voting should be by a free will or voluntary but that does not mean that CA members can forget their duty to vote when people elected them for that duty.

7. You already scheduled 14th election, but do not schedule 15th election without party coming into consensus or take decision to go for voting.

8. Priorities that look best ï¿½ a. Form a consensus Govt., b. destroy arms completely (melt in the place where they are stored in the presence of all parties, people, UNMIN and international observers), c. complete integration related work and d. bring Constitution. Complete b and c before the expiry of UNMINï¿½s term. Complete all tasks within next seven months.

9. Once again, consensus that will be best ï¿½ Maoist propose, Madheshi Forum support, UML and others accept for Congress to lead. Congress form the cabinet by bringing all parties in the cabinet. All support Constitution to pass it.

10. Congress has an option ï¿½ If it works out, you may ask RCP to pull out and forward Sushil Koirala. But stay firm, and be strict on the issues to complete peace process and bring relatively good constitution. If negotiating with key players or alternative players do not work out you still have an option. As you are a most senior party in the country, you are also a guardian of other parties. Each Congress CA member can outreach with four or five CA members of other parties and convince why voting, melting of arms, completion of peace, good Constitution and consensus is necessary. Be flexible on Presidential or Prime Ministerial system though.

11. RCP ï¿½ RCP outreach with PKD, JNK and UY. If they say, they will support, ask them come for voting. If they say no, talk to SK and pull out.

12. I repeat, if Maoist want history to judge you positively, dissolve both YCL and Maoist party completely and let them assimilate with peace, society and other parties. If needed form a completely new civilian party and time has come.

13. People let impunity continue for completion of peace process. You will contribute to the World by solving your problems. Close the chapter of Maoist war.

14. Indicating the situation back in Nepal, one of my friend was telling me that politicians do not solve World problems. What if we design Software that writes Constitution instantly. May be he is right. Waste of time, money and other resources for this long is not good. He was also telling me that he will write 25 or 30 pages Constitution in a week and publish it after Nepalese leaders write their Constitution and the Nepalese people and the World can compare those. He was joking but giving a sense that Nepalese leaders are taking too much time to solve simple problems of integration and Constitution writing.

15. Once again complete the peace process before you bring Constitution (within next seven months). As you are writing Constitution in 21st Century, make it good so that it can be a reference for future.

Posted on: 30 OCT 2010 | 8:35 PM NST

11. himali
The constitution writing in Nepal......

Is this being written for Nepali people or for Bahuns, Newars, Pahadis, Madhesis, NC, UML, or Maoist??

Why can not people of Nepal can view all Nepalese as equal fellow citizen of single county?

Use this lens and see how easy the whole process of constitution writing becomes.

Posted on: 10 NOV 2010 | 10:42 AM NST