Uneasy lies the crown

 

 

It is never easy to practice democracy and a lot of patience is required. Nepal is a standing testimony to this fact. The relationships among various wings of the government have been complicated since Maoist boss Pushpa Kamal Dahal or Prachanda came to power in August 2008. The all important task of setting up the Constitution of Nepal has been a bone of contention within the 26-party coalition, as have been several other issues, none trickier than the equation between the Nepal Army and the Maoist’s own Liberation force.

What started with the sacking of Nepal’s army chief, Gen. Rookamangud Katawal, has developed into a full blown political crisis leading to the resignation of Prime Minister Prachanda. The nascent democracy is in trouble, as memories of violence, murder and collapse of law and order are still vivid. The main question people are asking is this: could Nepal slip back into chaos? Diplomat A N Ram says the situation is worrying. “We all should be worried. Political instability will be a setback to not only political activity but hit the already battered economy of the country. Friends of Nepal are worried because if street demonstrations turn violent, it could easily slip back into anarchy.”

The root cause of the problem lies in three actions taken by the army chief. The decision to recruit 3,000 soldiers; the orders to extend the services of eight brigadier generals and army’s stoic refusal to participate in the National Games of Nepal.

The first two decisions were taken to the Supreme Court of Nepal which cleared the recruitment, while the issue of brigadier generals remains undecided. When the army chief was asked for a clarification, he cited orders from the Supreme Court. He declined to comment on the extensions given by the SC saying the case is sub-judice. Clearly, the general was set on a collision course. When asked why the army was not participating in the Games, he said the decision is in the hands of Army Club, so he could not be held responsible. All political parties accepted it, save the Maoists.

The larger animus stems from the protracted question of asserting civilian leadership over the military, a process made complex on the issue of integrating Maoist cadres into the Nepal Army. In principle, it was accepted by Prachanda, his deputy Baburam Bhattarai and the army chief Katawal that only eligible cadre would be allowed to join Nepalese Army with a two-year induction course. But insiders reveal that it's being projected that Gen. Katawal was never too happy with this arrangement. The continuing friction led to his sacking. Nepal expert Nihar Nayak, an associate fellow with the Institute of Defence Studies and Analysis (IDSA), told TSI that the decision to sack the general was unilateral. “Only Maoists were not convinced with the clarifications issued and all, including President Ram Baran Yadav, were opposed to the decision.’’ Prachanda has blamed 'international forces' – read India – for interfering in the internal affairs of Nepal. But Nayak disagrees.

Nepal’s political parties are busy trying to find a way out of the impasse, attempting to cobble together an alternate government.

Following Prachanda's resignation, the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML with 115 and 108 seats respectively, can form a united front government. The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) is the single largest party with 229 seats and experts say their chances of resorting to violence may be less as they have frequently, and of late, proclaimed their commitment to democracy. What should India, which has thousands of years of cultural and religious ties with Nepal, do? Ambassador Ram is of the view that India should continue with all the possible help.

“We should quickly help the country to pick up its economy. As for humanitarian assistance, we have been extending every possible help.” At a time, when Prachanda and Maoists have made noises about their closeness to China, it would be a wise move.