Sandwiched between the revolutionary 'people's war' and the parliamentary people's struggle, King Gyanendra used Sher Bahadur Deuba for protection. What remains to be seen is how far the inclusion of Deuba will complicate matters in the tussle between the people's republic and the monarchy. The political forces and civil society both showed that they have gained political maturity by equating Deuba's status to that of his predecessors Lokendra Bahadur Chand and Surya Bahadur Thapa. There are exceptions like a few within the CPN (UML) who want to be part of the Deuba government.
At least Deuba was an elected prime minister when he was sacked almost two years ago. Now he is merely another monarch nominee. Comparisons cannot be drawn between the two, making it incorrect to say the king's move of 4 October 2002 has been rectified. The Nepali Congress, under the leadership of Girija Prasad Koirala, comprehends this fundamental difference but the self-proclaimed leftist UML leadership is either playing dumb or has yet to understand the matter. We can only hope the UML does not commit suicide by joining the Deuba government.
Why did the king reappoint the same man he sacked from the same position on the grounds of incompetence? Was it under duress or yet another conspiracy? On the surface, it appears that the king made a reconciliatory move by 'reinstating' the same prime minister he threw out of office. This is an illusion. If the monarch was honest, he would have made a royal declaration to clarify the dispute on state power and sovereignty. He would have examined himself and declared Deuba's restoration without any ambiguity. Instead, he gave Deuba a list of things to do, similar to the conditions he set upon Chand and Thapa-as if they were his sincere servants.
The king's latest move attempts to kill many birds with a single stone. Prompted by a few foreign advisers, he asked Deuba to hold on to the reigns of state power and get rid of the major parliamentary parties and us. Deuba was the right candidate for this job because he possesses traits that no other contemporary political leader has-the image of a democrat and a Kangresi with the heart of a royalist. This is how he can dupe the people better than Chand or Thapa.
Secondly, Deuba has no opinion or ideology but is very ambitious. Such people gravitate towards different power centres depending on the time and situation. He uses others and is used in turn. Deuba floated from Girija Prasad Koirala to Krishna Prasad Bhattarai and now he is in Gyanendra's camp. No one can say where he will be tomorrow.
Thirdly, through then-US Ambassador Julia Chang, Deuba established a good relationship with the West. He consolidated his position with India through the Mahakali Treaty. By splitting the Nepali Congress, he scored points with the royal palace and by declaring a state of emergency and mobilising the army, he won credibility for a tough anti-Maoist stance. He also curried favour with the nouveau-riche and smugglers with a Pajero and Bangkok culture. The final point was Deuba's opposition to the republican cause in the recent protests, which obviously helped the king.
Under these circumstances, Deuba is but a shield-a puppet prime minister. If anyone takes his reappointment as regression redressed, it will be a grave mistake.
