Make or break - Nepali Times

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Make or break

FROM ISSUE #569 (02 SEPT 2011 - 08 SEPT 2011) | TABLE OF CONTENTS

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DIWAKAR CHETTRI

The expansion of the new cabinet is taking longer than expected. No one expected this to be easy for Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai, given that this was a marriage of convenience between two ideologically polarised groupings.

But Bhattarai's bigger problem seems to be not so much accommodating the demands of the Madhesi alliance, but to satisfy factions within his own Maoist party. And then he has to also ensure caste, ethnicity and gender diversity within the cabinet.

"We have lot of senior leaders in the party who deserve to be in the cabinet," explained Bhattarai's adviser, Devendra Paudel, "We want to make sure they all feel involved in the process. Hence, the slight delay."

Analysts say that in their hurry to get into government, the Maoists may have given too much away to win over the Madhesis. For their part, Madhesi leaders deny this is about getting to power. MJF-Republican leader Rajkishor Yadav acknowledges the Maoists have been generous in power sharing, but adds: "This coalition is based on issues, not on power, whatever the cynics may say."

The Maoist decision to hand over the keys of their weapons containers to the special committee is a breakthrough in the peace process which will cement public perception that Bhattarai is a do-er. But he still has to take the opposition into confidence while moving ahead on the peace process and constitution drafting. Even a majority government needs consensus.

Anurag Acharya

Read also:
Keep the flame of truth burning, EDITORIAL

Peace or ceasefire?, ANURAG ACHARYA
Time to move beyond symbolism to real progress on integration and rehabilitation of ex-guerrillas

From JNU to Kathmandu, JYOTI MALHOTRA
Baburam Bhattarai: "We were too ambitious �while India underestimated our strength."

Getting down to business, DEWAN RAI
Prime Minister Bhattarai may soon have a lot less to smile about

1. who cares
one of the greatest cartoons ever.

Posted on: 02 SEPT 2011 | 1:24 PM NST

2. who cares
"The Maoist decision to handing over the keys of their weapons containers to the special committee is a breakthrough in the peace process which will cement public perception that Bhattarai is a do-er."

haa haa haa haa haa haa haa haa haa haa haa haa

Posted on: 02 SEPT 2011 | 1:26 PM NST

3. Sarath G
Now lets all huddle together and see how long corrupt crooks like Gacchhedar and his gang of opportunistic low-lives let this good man to work the way he envisions.

Posted on: 02 SEPT 2011 | 8:14 PM NST

4. Amar
Cartoon hits the spot. Article right on spot. let's see how it pans out. hopefully for better.

Posted on: 02 SEPT 2011 | 9:59 PM NST

5. jange
# 3. Sarath G

Already making excuses for the inevitable failure.

Posted on: 03 SEPT 2011 | 8:05 AM NST

6. Tashi lama
Great cartoon, this cartoon speaks much louder and much clearer then the thousands speeches made by all the narrow minded politicians of Nepal!

Whenever the new PM comes, thought comes in my mind that new PM has to drive a vehicle which has defect in all it's parts, but in this cartoon, parts are just taken away by different leaders! in that case, then it would impossible to make a drive! I think this is a true reality Nepal's unstable governance!

Posted on: 03 SEPT 2011 | 8:23 AM NST

7. who cares
for the first time in my life, i do not find a single so called expert or so called civil society member praising bhatteri or having confidence in him.

is not it suppose to be there some supporters, some oppositions and some drag queens?

why only many public and media are there behind bhatterai? why are not so called civil society or so called expert there?

if bhatterai turns out to be incompetent, he will be humiliated.

Posted on: 03 SEPT 2011 | 11:30 AM NST

8. Ramhari
This cartoon is the best of this year, so far. It is so meaningful that the actors of the cartoon will exactly do the same thing after few weeks.

Posted on: 03 SEPT 2011 | 1:29 PM NST

9. Sarath G
@ jange

"We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope".. I am starting to worry about you a little, being this bitter is bad for health, especially when an honest man is trying to mop up the muck left mostly by the regal but thick sorts that you suck up to. nbsp;

Posted on: 07 SEPT 2011 | 8:34 PM NST

10. jange
# 9. Sarath G

I think you may be inferring too much from the little that I have said. But the facts remain. Dr. Bhattarai is a man who systematically and deliberately planned and implemented the killing of thousands of people. He, by his own admission, believes (and practices) that it is OK to use whatever violence he sees fit in order to achieve his objectives. In this sense he is no different to the guy in Norway who killed all those kids except that the guy did it himself but Dr. Bhattarai persuaded gullible people to do it for him.

I am as optimistic as anyone else, probably more so. But facts are facts. But who knows? Dr. Bhattarai could at any time realise the error of his ways and change for the better.

An thanks for the concern about my health. I am fine,

Posted on: 08 SEPT 2011 | 7:33 AM NST

11. krisna
Friends we differ little , All are suffer of the past 2 decade, there is hope to do better than the past. Matter is how they realized.

Posted on: 08 SEPT 2011 | 1:07 PM NST

12. Tashi lama
It is quite natural to lament if this unstable governance remains in Nepal, as it is government for the people, by the people, but the leaders who are powered to run the government by the people forgets who put them there! I think they don't realize that they are there by the people for the people's government.

To make them understand this reality every day, each and every government office should bear these slogans: " I am here in this office by the people and for the people to serve! I am here to build the nation, not to destroy!

Jai-Nepal

Posted on: 09 SEPT 2011 | 8:59 AM NST