How To Move Towards A Common Minimum Program?

First you identify the players. I see these:

1. Congress
2. Congress (D)
3. UML
4. RPP
5. RJP
6. Jana Morcha
7. Sadbhavana
8. Sadbhavana (A)
9. Maoist
10. Monarchist

Then you seek a representative from each. If not, you seek out their public statements. Then you come up with a Common Minimum Program (CMP). All except number 10 agree on one thing: February 1 needs to be reversed, all those detained released, and all fundamental rights restored.

So that is your CMP. Then you start playing with that CMP. It is important to keep all deliberations public.

Another major CMP has been to invite UN human rights monitoring. That was a big step. That is the only CMP that brings all 1-10 together. So far.

Then you attempt a ceasefire. You have 1-8. But 9 and 10 are not with you. So it is upto 1-8 to work on a platform that will forge a strong Unity of the Willing.

Then you try and suggest an all-party government to replace the current one. You might get 1-8 but not 9 and 10 again. And since 10 holds key here, you end up nowhere. But to enhance chances, it is important for 1-8 to suggest a complete list of the proposed cabinet. And make that list public so as to keep up the pressure.

What about the CMP of a Constituent Assembly? You have 3, 6,8, and 9. Work should be done to bring 1,2,4,5 and 7 along. If 1-9 can come together on this one, there will be enormous pressure on 10 to comply. Also, this CMP will, for the first time, provide some concrete common ground between 1-8 and 9. And so the exercise is worth it in its own right.

I think the fastest would be for 1-9 to move towards this: Shortcut To A New Constitution, Shortcut To Peace. It brings in full democracy. It brings peace. And this is the only strategy that does not depend on compliance from 10.

The key for 1-8 is relentless, public dialogue. That is the only way to drown out the guns of 9 and 10. That also is the democratic way. The democratic way is not where one person makes the pronouncement and everyone else falls in line.

Are you for a Constituent Assembly? Why? Why not? Why are you for a Constitutional Monarchy? At what point will you stop being for it? What would be your tipping point? What are the issues we can agree on? What do we disagree on? Can we put aside the issues we disagree on for now, and focus on those we agree on?

The second key is organization. The democratic process does not have to equal disorganization. Can the democrats launch effective protests? Can this be made possible: eDemocracy, 4S Campaign, 24/7 Vigil For Democracy: Take Over Tundikhel ?