Sweet and sour

27th-04-2012

The Constituent Assembly (CA) was created on the basis of the principle that the people should get to frame their own constitution. Nepal has had several constitutions, but all of them were a result of negotiations between the important political forces, each one of which sought to exclude the others. This time, we were supposed to resolve such political conflict and write a new constitution that would be owned by the people and the political forces. However, as the deadline for the promulgation of a new constitution nears, the CA is turning into a mere rubber stamp, and there are indications that the new constitution may not have that kind of public ownership that we have all expected.

The first reason is that all significant negotiations and decision-making processes are being carried out outside the purview of the CA, mostly by forces not elected by the people. Another reason is that the political negotiations are bypassing the required democratic norms outlined in the Interim Constitution (IC). All logical discussions should be the outcome of negotiations based on a combination of political positions and policy research. This means that democratic decision-making is a slow and tedious process that slowly builds on past agreements on broader principles. This has not been the case in Nepal. Although many issues of the new constitution have been sorted out in this manner, the most politically significant decisions are being taken in a ad-hoc manner through give and take between the four major political forces in the country.

An example is the ‘understanding’ of the political parties on the number of members for the Pratinidhi Sabha (Lower House) and the Rastriyia Sabha (National Assembly) which has only served to incense the UML and Nepali Congress (NC) lawmakers. It is clear that this was reached to appease the Maoist party. The strength of the Upper House and the Lower House under the circumstances would be such that an impoverished like Nepal would be hard put to bear financially.

The negotiations are now being carried out to reach a consensus, and despite repeated assurances from the leaders of the various political parties, the negotiations have progressed in such a manner that it would be almost next to impossible to write the constitution by the stipulated deadline of May 27. Taking these into consideration, the four major political forces including the Madhes-based parties should make a last ditch effort so that consensus emerges on all the contentious issues. The people are hopeful that this will be achieved encompassing the spirit of the people’s movement. It should be a win-win situation for all.

Now, with only about a month left to write the constitution, the peace process should be taken to its logical conclusion without any further delay or dilly dallying, at the same time making most of the little time that is available to write the constitution of the country. Failure to do so would mean having to go for a fresh mandate. The last minute political parleys give some hope of a breakthrough, which can only materialise when the stakeholders come to a commpon point of agreement.


Never-ending

loadshedding seems to need a lot of brainstorming. All from laypersons to experts and political leaders have delved into this unique phenomenon that continues throughout the year for years on end. Maybe that’s the fate of the people entering the new Nepal phase, and the promulgation of an all-inclusive democratic constitution in a month’s time from now. All talk of generating 10 or 20 thousand megawatts of electricity in 5, 10 or 20 years is mere rhetoric. One is just left wondering as to why there is so much talk sans the action part. In this context, the prosperity that the country should have notched up has not materialised particularly because of inept political leadership.

If it had been division of labour, that would be welcome by all means. But here is sharing the spoils on an all-party basis. That has seen all sorts of protests against any new hydro-electricity project in the country. That leaves the citizens clamouring for power when they are subject to endless loadshedding. Promises are made, but they are never fulfilled.
Himal...