Final trial, Nagarik - Nepali Times

From The Nepali Press
Final trial, Nagarik
Madhav Dhungel, 5 June

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

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WRITE TO EDITOR

After the 5-point agreement was signed, two opposing forces have emerged: those who want to take the peace process to a conclusion and those who want to derail the peace process and push the country back to perpetual conflict. The three-month period is the last chance for those who are for peace and constitution. Instead of whining about what had happened on the night of 28 May, they should put their efforts in finishing the task.

The CA term was extended not because the political parties agreed, but because there was no other alternative. Despite opposition from Madhesi alliance and factions within their own parties, the three major parties, UCPN (M), NC and UML rooted for the extension. But they may not be able to do so again.

Given the internal division, it is likely that the Baidhya faction will voice against another extension. The five splinters of UDMF stood firmly against extension this time and they will only get stronger in their opposition. The alliance had threatened to secede declaring Birgunj as the capital. After a hard negotiation it supported the extension of CA but stayed away from the voting.

NC made a political blunder by wasting their time with small issues like weapons hand over. Contentious issues like modality of integration, number of fighters and package for rehabilitation grabbed no attention. In short, the commotion over extension overshadowed the real agendas that could have been clinched in the urgency of the situation.

Now, the political parties are left with no option but to find a magic formula to implement their 'gentleman's agreement'. The only way out is to expedite the peace and constitution writing process and justify another three months extension to complete it. The leaders have promised people concrete results but people still doubt if the main task of peace process and first draft of the constitution will be completed in time. The real test of the leaders is to win their confidence by eliminating these doubts in the coming 11 weeks.