The horse trading is in full swing. This event in any case is not much of a cliffhanger. But some of us find it whimsical and some what ironic. So, allow me to say my say
Until Wednesday the next prime minister was to come out of the 3 major parties; Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), Nepali Congress (NC) Party, and Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist)
After the first round, Jhalanath Khanal from CPN (UML), having realized the futility of it decided to opt-out.
The remaining two candidates Pushpa Kamal Dahal of UCPN (Maoist) and Ram Chandra Poudel of Nepali Congress fought it out in the second round on Friday without any result.
Neither candidate has secured the 300 votes at least required to win the contest. The Prime Minister’s Post has been vacant for over 3 weeks now. With the CPN (UML), with 109 votes, playing the sore loser and refraining from taking part in the election, it seems that the haggling could drag on, the contest prolonged unless the ruling is amended.
The Maoists boast of ushering in a new era in Nepal. They talk much about the sea change they accomplished within a decade. The end of a feudal system – the ouster of an incompetent autocratic ruler are some of the changes they like to brag about. They certainly have an undeniable right to these claims.
But have these societal ills and outdated institutions been completely eradicated in the country ? Or are they still lurking around the corner and waiting for the right time to strike back ?
Where is the change in the mindset of the Nepali people, especially in political sphere and the national stage of Nepal ? Don’t you have the feeling that you are seeing the same batch of actors over and over again doing the same melodrama, but in different disguises and in different settings?
Examine the prime ministerial candidates closely. Do these candidates represent the whole social fabric of Nepal or just a particular strand and segment of the society? Does the bahunbajes know better mentality still prevail? No doubt. Where is the inclusive participation and fair representations, which were the much yapped hypes during the election campaign, and the promises of the revolution ? Or is the revolution still not over yet ?
Why don’t the parties consider grooming and promoting indigenous leaders like Ram Bahadur Magar, Deb Bahadur Gurung, Kul Bahadur Gurung, Subash Nemwang, Ashok Rai…?
Kul Bahadur Gurung actually made a half-hearted bid for the vacant post from Nepali Congress Party. Subash Nemwang did not bother as he seems to be happy being the speaker. Ashok Rai knows full well that to make such a bid is to ask for the moon. Ram Bahadur Magar and Deb Bhadur Gurung perhaps thought not to hurt the feelings of comrade Dahal.
These indigenous politicians are used by their political masters as mere voting agents/stooges. Their sole purpose is to draw the votes of their kinds in the election for their parties. This is no crime in itself. But, I beg to ask , how does it advance and give pride to their respective ethnic prerogatives ?
Nepal’s main political parties invariably exist with the support and the blessings of the Indian elements. Covertly, they toe the line laid down by New Delhi, via H. E. Mr. Rakesh Sood, residing in the Indian Embassy at Lainchaur, Katmandu.
Or is it H.E. Dr. Ram Baran Yadav, the President of Nepal ? Whoever. Whatever. It doesn’t matter much. India doesn’t want to invade and take Nepal. It just wants to subjugate and control it.
Overtly, our leaders spew a few make-believe vitriolic remarks at the Indian government every now and then. They do this to amuse the bored Indians who couldn’t care less and to entertain the naïve Nepali public most of whom will believe everything they are told, read or see on T.V.
The Nepali media feed this to the countless gullible Nepali readers and audiences to delude them, and to give an impression that the politicians are busy and seriously at work. This is the kind of charades we’re accustomed to.
I believe, such farcical acts by our politicians will go on as long as India has a monopoly of influence on Nepal. As long as we depend solely on India for our food, fuel and other essential commodities – in fact, for our very survival- we’d be at the mercy, and obliged to play according to the whims, of our big Indian brother.
There is no counter balance to offset the awfully heavy Indian weight on our nation. As it is, we have open borders with India to our east, west and south. Indians overwhelm us with their proximity, sheer numbers and their soft powers some of which weird as they are, nonetheless, have profound effect on us.
Our next door neighbor China to our North is stuck in Tibet; moreover, there is also the awesome Himalayas to negotiate before China can reach out to us. So it’ll be a while before China can influence us and affect any meaningful changes in Nepal. Besides, there’s also the U.S.A. and western powers, the donor countries to take into consideration before we can cozy up with China. “Better the devil you know than the angle you don’t.” is another point to ponder.
In the meantime, politicians like Kul Bhadur Gurung, Subash Nemwang, and others like them will remain playing second fiddles to their traditional bosses; unless they decide to break way with traditions and learn to make their own ukulele to play with. This will not be easy for them to do. They are rather old and too much accustomed to their age-old lifestyle. Old habits die hard.
Yet, I feel that one must learn to respect oneself by standing on one’s own feet, before one can expect to be respected by others.
Nepal still has to wait for some time before any significant changes can take place in the country. Geopolitics is not in its favour. A poor, landlocked, mostly mountainous, and rugged country doesn’t have much room to move, choice to make or many options to pick from. In all honesty our present leaders are not to blame entirely for the dire situation the country is at present. This has been in the making since a long long time ago.
The situation in Nepal is not as good as we’d like it to be, but it could have been worse if not for the Jana Andolan 2. Our politicians should keep talking – wrangling - and negotiating, but, must behave - respect each other and walk the talk. They should not be greedy – learn to share equitably. No fighting. That’s the way to go.
We’re sailing into uncharted waters but, I feel, we are heading towards the right direction. There are hidden dangers and unexpected hazards. But we need to take heart and boldly push on.
If the majority of 300million+ people (white 69%, Latino 13%, Black 12%, others 5% ) of the U.S.A. can elect Barrack Hussein Obama II (half Kenyan) as its president, why is it hard for some hundred parliamentarians of Nepal to select Kul Bahadur Gurung, a pure native Nepali, as the prime minister of Nepal ?
After all, the Prime Minister of Nepal is directed by New Delhi and functions more or less like a Chief Minister of an Indian state.
So does it make any difference who becomes the prime minister ?
Just for the heck of it, I’d like to propose Kul Bahadur Gurung as the next Prime Minister of Nepal. Would anyone like to second the motion?
Congratulations and best wishes to the person whoever becomes the next Prime Minister of Nepal. ...
responses to ( The Next Prime Minister of Nepal )
Dear Narahang,
I couldn't agree more with you on learning to respect oneself by standing on one's own feet...
Yes, its time we saw some changes. However, changes should be directed towards arriving at better results in the long run while keeping the integrity of the nation; that's correct I am pointing towards Limbuwan, who have been asking for a separate nation. They believe that their pact with the Shah dynasty ended with Ganendra's dethroning. They themselves are broken into 7 to 8 groups, not that all Janajatis have the same one voice-led by their own political views. We do need to have a look into this irrespective of our different political interests.
Other thing; we should look into cashing our relationship with India in the context that China's diplomatic efforts are futile. However, I say they did give it a try this time during the PM's election didn't they. The logo of Mao were seen being worn by some leaders, Deb Gurung being one.
Anyway, I second your motion on having Kul Bahadur Gurung as the next Prime Minister, anyone more?