Work in progress - Nepali Times

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Work in progress

After defusing the constitutional crisis on 28 May, the leaders are stuck again

FROM ISSUE #557 (10 JUNE 2011 - 23 JUNE 2011) | TABLE OF CONTENTS

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BIKRAM RAI

Two weeks into the extended CA, the four main parties are back to mud-slinging and procrastination. Even the UML faction and the NC that were baying for the prime minister to resign have suddenly fallen silent, only the UDMF continues to press for resignation. The NC says it has no problems with a Maoist-led government, but wants the decommissioning of the camps first. The Maoists made a big show of the end of dual security, but only 15 out of the 120 weapons and a handful of their body guards have found their way to Shaktikhor.

After three years of fierce debate, the demobilisation of the Maoist army suddenly looks like it is the least of the problems. Mutual suspicion about post-integration uncertainty appears to be holding up a political consensus. The NC is worried that even if Maoist fighters are demobilised, they will not abandon their militant mindset. The Maoist leaders know they have to dismantle the camps if they are going to lead the next government but they have met with stiff opposition from their commanders. The Madhesis are also worried about maintaining their political clout after finding their kingmaker role.

The present situation is the result of a hurried un-negotiated extension on 28 May. The leaders defused a constitution crisis with a "gentleman's agreement", but now that they have to decide on concrete steps, they are stuck again.

Anurag Acharya

Read also:
Democracy non-negotiable, EDITORIAL

1. Arthur
"After three years of fierce debate, the demobilisation of the Maoist army suddenly looks like it is the least of the problems. Mutual suspicion about post-integration uncertainty appears to be holding up a political consensus. The NC is worried that even if Maoist fighters are demobilised, they will not abandon their militant mindset."

Again this fantasy about "demobilisation"! The agreement was for integration of the two armies. The Nepal Army and anti-Maoist parties opposition to integration has gone nowhere. Pretending there was ever any option of demobilisation instead of integration is completely pointless.

Posted on: 10 JUNE 2011 | 6:32 PM NST

2. kamal
here we go again back to the same old habits which plagued our nation so far. People are waiting.

Posted on: 10 JUNE 2011 | 8:09 PM NST

3. bns
The process of integration and completion of the peace process will not be possibel until the Maoists truly desire and decide to be part of the civilized and democratic society where everyone accepts the supremacy of the legal system of the country however flawed it maybe. The present situation is that the Maoist leadership wants the power and perks that come with it including the nice housed, cars and foreign trips but are scared to tell its cadres that they are going to join the mainstream politics which means they are going to abandon all the principles they supposedly fought and killed and were killed for. The Maost leaders have to find the courage to tell the facts to the cadres.
There is not other option for them or for the country unless they desire to create a failed state out of Nepal

Posted on: 10 JUNE 2011 | 1:06 AM NST

4. John
>> The leaders defused a constitution crisis with a "gentleman's agreement", but <<

For that to have worked out well, they would have to be gentlemen or statesmen. Unfortunately they aren't...

Posted on: 12 JUNE 2011 | 7:53 PM NST

5. J Joshi
Interesting picture by Bikram Rai, the constitution looks half-done, the balls of wool seem to symbolise the four parties, and there is no one actually weaving the carpet.

Posted on: 13 JUNE 2011 | 6:22 AM NST

6. Gurkha, London

.....Balls of wool demonstrates these leaders do not have 'balls' to do anything positive and think for the nation without foreign influence......

Posted on: 14 JUNE 2011 | 4:02 PM NST

7. arun
"Gentleman's agreement" sounds odd . are the Bahuns gentleman's in any way ????????????

Posted on: 15 JUNE 2011 | 3:24 PM NST

8. jange
There is no work and there is no progress.

And yet we have "work in progress"

To make (one) something out of (one) nothing is an easy task but to make something out of two nothings- well, only the NT can do that.

Posted on: 16 JUNE 2011 | 8:37 PM NST