Introduction
Contrary to popular belief, the main purpose of creating a "broader democratic front" is not to topple the Maoist led government. The idea of establishing a broader democratic front is to prevent a situation that will push the country towards an eventual political confrontation. It is, therefore, important to comprehend the situation under which various leaders have been demanding the early amalgamation of democratic forces and it is equally important to understand the underlying factors and the political compulsions of creating a Broader Democratic Alliance. First, the Maoist party is the largest party in the Constituent Assembly and; the Maoists together with other leftist parties are a majority in the Constituent Assembly. Second, the Maoist party belongs to an extreme revolutionary group who do not believe in the existence of a liberal democratic polity. And lastly, the Maoist party leads a government with arms to defend the subsistence of their extreme communist ideology. It is in this perspective that the idea of a Broader Democratic Front becomes essential if we are to envision the long term survival of a plural, liberal democracy in Nepal.
Other democratic parties, primarily the Nepali Congress do not posses weapons. Organizationally too, the democratic parties stand as weak opponents to the Maoists. Maoist unions, the bellicose and boisterous YCL outfits have succeeded in stalling industrial progress. The YCL continue to intimidate bureaucrats throughout Nepal to work towards their party's interest. Today, all governmental institutions and even the private sector stand as hostage to the institutionalized bullying, terror tactics and to the extreme ideology of the Maoist unions. However, what is most alarming is the fact that almost all government machineries besides the Nepal Army have been rendered non-functional. But more fundamentally, the constitutional, legal, judicial, and the democratic process have begun to crumble under sustained Maoist pressure. In such a situation, all parties that believe in the existence of a plural, liberal democratic order should have engaged in genuine political maneuvers to check mate the Maoists. Unfortunately; that did not happen.
The Idea of a BDA
If the Democratic Front had taken shape and been effective; the Nepali political discourse would present a politically balanced picture. However, the reality today is vastly different; the democratic forces are weak and divided, they lack cohesion organizationally and are a minority in the Constituent Assembly. On the other hand, Nepali Congress, the largest democratic party is weak organizationally and the persistence internal wrangling has further weakened the party. The other democratic parties such as the Madesh based parties and the former RPP's too are scattered and divided across the political spectrum. The weak presentation of the democratic forces is having a negative impact on the transitional politics of New Nepal. A sense of hopelessness and dejection is slowly taking over the minds of the people who have been subjugated to continued Maoist brutality. The long term absence of a tolerant liberal democratic alternative will create disenchantment with the democratic parties in the long run.
Therefore, in this critical stage, it is necessary for the democratic parties to forge an alliance. In fact, the recent attacks on Himal media and the free press reveal these two political certainties. It is important to understand that time is indeed running out as there is no real sustainable alternative to the democratic front. However, the Maoists are making concerted efforts to foil the creation of a democratic front. Individuals within the Nepali Congress such as Ramchandra Poudel, who is reportedly close to the Maoists, is being used by the Maoists, to thwart the creation of a democratic front. Other than Poudel there are other leaders within the Nepali Congress ranks who are opportunists and are more eager to join the Maoist led government than to oppose the Maoist on principle political issues. For such opportunist leaders, the existence of a democratic front is irrelevant as they are neither loyal to the Nepali Congress, nor do they have strong conviction to envision a truly democratic Nepal.
On a more hopeful note the existence of a democratic front will create positive political equilibrium as it will give people the courage to resist the Maoist's totalitarian views. But more importantly, the existence of a democratic front will be crucial to politically balance the Maoists and to contain them within a democratic paradigm.
Regional Implications
The growing Chinese influence in Nepal will only work towards the benefit of leftist forces. Indian foreign policy vis a vis Nepal seems to have been guided by two objectives: the removal of the institution of monarchy and the creation of strong democratic base in the Madesh to secure their borders fearing possible nexus between the Maoists in Nepal and India. However, the Indian experiment in the Madesh has failed. The recent revelation that some Mumbai attackers were in Nepal and that the Chinese had sent in miscellaneous funds for the Maoist party to use as military funds should be a worrying sign for the Indian establishment. Increasing Chinese activity and the ISI's recent exercises in Nepal all indicate that Nepali territory is being used against India. China's active presence in Nepal coinciding with a Maoist led government in Nepal will have a long term impact on India's national security. India's opposition to Islamic terrorism but her silence towards political terrorism can in no way help her deal with her security qualms – Maoist insurgency is political terrorism. The Maoist menace in South Asia today stands as the biggest challenge to India's national security. The continuance of Maoist dominance in the Nepali polity arena has augured well for facilitating increased Chinese and ISI activity in Nepal against India.
It is important to note that within the India political context, the experiment of both NDA and UPA has worked well in politically balancing two opposing ideological camps within the democratic framework. The Indian experiment has proved that such alliances have long term impacts on the political structure of a country and that it is sustainable too if the alliance is constructed on a consistent ideological platform. The formation of a democratic alliance in Nepal will help India neutralize anti-Indian elements that are a threat to both India and Nepal's long term security concerns. The formation of a democratic alliance will be most effective in repulsing increasing Chinese and ISI activity in Nepal.
Conclusion
The mere indulgence in speeches, nauseating use of rhetoric, issuing of statements, cannot be viewed as an effective strategy in confronting the Maoists. Democratic institutions and organizations need to be strengthened in response to the challenge meted out by the Maoists
All parties that envision the survival of a democratic polity must come together putting aside their prejudices of the past against each other. This is the only hope and the real alternative that the democratic parties can wield to counter the Maoists, their ideology and their domestic and international backers. The Nepali Congress must understand that they alone cannot counter the Maoists. The BDA needs the support of other democratic parties too. The survival of democracy in Nepal will be determined by the ability of the Nepali Congress and the other democratic parties to work together against the Maoist, other authoritarian forces and anti-nationalistic fronts. Only the unity and the collaboration amongst the democratic parties can help Nepal overcome the challenges posed by the Maoists who are keen on establishing a non-democratic communist state in Nepal. If the Nepali democratic parties embark on this endeavor and unite, they will provide the Nepali population a credible alternative to the Maoists and hopefully democracy and the nation can be saved. In such an event both national and international players will undoubtedly come out openly in favor of the Broader Democratic Alliance.
Related Post:
http://nepaliperspectives.blogspot.com/2007/04/after-year-of-loktantra-is-it-finally.html
15 comments:
Yes, what is needed is a strong truly democratic front or party to stand up to totalitarian take over. But what is needed for that to be effective is strong courageous leadership. Leadership that can inspire and uplift the disheartened public. Who will step up to that task? Nepal has had a leader like this in the past, but way back. Who can look over caste and economic condition and rally all NEPALIS? A tall order!!!
Hello Everyone:
The writer implies that Broader Democratic Alliance is being created to protect India's interest rather than the interest's of Nepal and her people. I am sorry to note that it will not work. Nepal needs to protect its own interests rather than those of India. On the other hand, what can Nepalese people hope from these foreign agents who dance at the tune of India. Was not Maoists party supported by India? We need a broader front to counter both the Maoists as well as the front of the Khaoists (who claim to be democratic). NC and others are a disgrace to democracy as I know it.
Is there anyone left in Nepal who is going to lead the peoples front who will counter act both the Maoists as well as the new proposed khaoists front? I hope people will rise up and fight against these antinational elements who want to dismantle and destroy what is Nepal.
K. Thapa
Without explaining what Nepal’s long term security concerns are, is Thapa jee justified in making a crass statement like: “The formation of a democratic alliance in Nepal will help India neutralize anti-Indian elements that are a threat to both India and Nepal's long term security concerns”. In such circumstances isn’t one bound to ask whether the proposed BDA even incidentally serves Nepal’s interests as opposed to coincidentally serving those of India and her well-known stooges like Girija Prasad Koirala and Surya Bahadur Thapa? Shouldn’t the only concern for a Nepali be what’s pro Nepal first and foremost, front and centre; not whether any combination or its outcome is pro or anti China or India and what little crumbs their stooges and their families may gain from such connivance? With such friends of Nepal who needs enemies?
Democratic Alliance? for whom? For the likes of girija prasad and Surya Bahadur? What would they do differently? No more blood shed to bring the same power mongers back.
Girija Prasad and Surya Bahadur served Indian interest more than Nepal's. Girija kept perpetual silence when Indians encroached Nepali land and Surya bahadur did every thing to please indians in his panchayati rule and post-panchayat era. He was the one, who let indians build schools and hand out gifts to madhesis in the name of bilateral aid without seeking Nepalese govt. permission. It was surya bahadur, who let Indians subvert Nepali govt and strengthen indian operations in Nepal.
Let the Maoists rule and guilt-trip Indians to an extent that they stop experimenting regime change game in the name of promoting democracy.
I agree completely with Kamal T. from above. This is not a question of convenience for the Indians. It is a question of what benefits the Nepali people most. A Democratic Front with no goals or objectives serves only Girija bahun's objectives. I for one, am completely against any front that results in the same names and faces coming back to power.
Thank you for this. It seems, Thapa likes to ignore the facts that the Chinese and Pakistani ( ISI) are not behaving like a colonial Vice-Roy in Nepal and it is not the Chinese and Pakistanis that are encroaching Nepali sections of Nepali lands along the border, nor making continuous progress in controlling the water resources of Nepal.
Further, he seems to be unaware, that there are no "Anti-Indian" forces within Nepal. To be anti Indian, one needs to seek to: harm India, try to subjugate India, try to usurp her resources and even to dismember her.
There are however, many in Nepal who do not wish to be subjugated, short-charged, to be deprived of the right over Nepal's resources, to be deprived of independent actions etc.
If this article is Mr. Thapa's way of reiterating his claim to be the natural successor to that Indian lackey of a grandfather of his, the boy has done well. With such genetic predisposition, is it surprising that he should aspire to succeed even where Surya Bahadur dared not go, in trying to outdo Lengdup Dorje?
As I see the above comments, I think it is quite unfair to point the author as being favored towards India's interests.
The point the author is trying to make is that Nepal needs a set of unified, coherent goals from the opposition. The Broader Democratic Alliance is to ensure that the practice of a liberal and pluralistic democracy does not disappear because of the present tactics of the Maoists.
Also, trying to quell so-called "anti Indian" elements in Nepal which is a threat to the security of both Nepal and India is correct. The ISI and China's recent clandestine activities in Nepal are all a threat to India's security. And it is no secret that the ISI uses Nepal for many anti-Indian activities.
Whether we like it or not, Nepal has much more to gain from India's security than from the security of Pakistan or other South Asian nations.
Only the author knows that he actually meant. But I am with the posters who are against Indian hegemony in Nepal.
Anon at 1.20 need not have launched so personal an attack on the writer. That the BDA has certain flaws is well recognised. What he should explain is how to overcome these flaws so that the BDA acts in Nepal's interests without exceptions. Of course, if Nepal's interests and those of other countries converge, we shouldn't have problems in carrying them along with us. But Nepal must come first and for too long we have been too petty ourselves - we have learnt to despise each other and with each swipe and inkling of doubt we ourselves have become an ever more powerful an instrument at the disposal of those who wish to profit from our divisions and unwillingness to put other Nepalis before self for even just 10% of the time.
Critiques based on personal affiliations are always a last resort in the absence of spirited, logical reasoning. They are tasteless and designed with the specific intent to distract from meaningful debate.
I don't appreciate the idea of a BDA for the sake of Indian interests. And I certainly do not appreciate the idea of any alliance that does not serve Nepal's interest.
But I detest even more, people who lack the intellect to demonstrate evidence-based critiques and ultimately resort to character assassination based on association - not logic.
My suggestion to all commentators is to debate flaws and merits of the ideas and ignore distractions from those who are intimidated by the writer's ideas.
BDB will be the only alternative to the totalitarian design and footprint of the Maoist that is already in motion. There is no question that all semblence of liberal democracy (and Nepal in the long run) will be obliterated if the people do not put aside their petty interests and come together.
I hate word alliance just for the sake it means a vehice for second best or some form of compromise. Nepal needs to find meaning for its existence rather than for others or others whatever interest there is.
Judging by the sharp differences in opinion on a BDA on this forum, it is clear that the topic is worth more exploration.
John Quincy Adams:
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.
For people complaining about leaders and leaderships - would you be able to recognize one if it was (literally) staring you in the face.
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