We must be doing something right.
A constituent assembly can be the only meeting point between the seven party alliance and the palace like it has been the only meeting point between the seven party alliance and the Maoists. That is the only point of compromise available to this revolution. We are soldiers of non violence. After we secure the constituent assembly, the republicans among us then will have the option to try and win the hearts and minds of the Nepali people. That is the preferred way. Street demonstrations are a second choice.
But there is only so long we can wait. There are only so many martyrs we can take, only so many injuries, only so many arrests.
There has to be a plan B.
In my mind that plan B has to be one where there is no role whatsoever for the king. In that plan the country becomes a republic before it goes to a constituent assembly.
Some are talking in terms of a parallel government. I am for a revolutionary parliament. There is a clear distinction between the two, and I think a revolutionary parliament is a much better idea.
Interim Constitution, Revolutionary Parliament
A revolutionary parliament would be the 1999 House, a one chamber parliament, functioning under an interim constitution. Through majority vote after public debates, it could pretty much take any decision within the purview of the Universal Declaration Of Human Rights.
That revolutionary parliament could declare the country a republic, but it does not have to if it does not want to. The revolutionary parliament idea is to short circuit the revolution and take it to a whole different level.
But before this can happen we have to win over the police and then the army.
Retrain the street demonstrators, their leaders, to not engage in acts of violence. No stone throwing, for example. Negotiate with the police out in the streets. No stone throwing, no tear gas, no lathi charge, no gunfire. Engage the police in small talk. Have pamphlets to hand over to them in large numbers. The pamphlet should explain why they ought to switch sides.
So you build a huge crowd at the police barricades, and then invite the police inspectors to join you in conversation. You work hard to convince them to let you keep moving.
The revolution has already won over the Home Ministry bureaucracy.
After you win over the police, the army rank and file are easy. The Maoists have to make it absolutely clear they will not make attempts to engage the RNA foot soldiers in any warfare. The rank and file in the police and the rank and file in the army are from similar socio-economic backgrounds. Target all of them with pamphlets and street conversations.
Walk over to the barricades and talk. Raise slogans to suggest the people, the police and the army are on the same side. They are as much the people as the street demonstrators.
Alliance to continue with protest, 24 hr ultimatum to KingIn The News
Kathmandu Apr 22 (UNI) The agitating seven political parties have rejected Nepal King Gyanendra's announcement of restoring executive power to the people and have given him a 24-hour ultimatum to reinstate the dissolved parliament, a local television channel said.
The seven-party alliance has also said that they will reinstate the dissolved House, if the King does not accept their demand by tomorrow. They have also warned about the formation of a parallel government.
''There was no rationale behind accepting the offer to form a government at a time when the King had not addressed any of the demands being put forward by the SPA,'' a Nepali Congress spokesman told reporters.
However, the meeting of the top leaders of the seven parties alliance has decided to continue with the peaceful protest program.
The government suspended the mobile services in Kathmandu. The mobile service were cut off at 0330 hours local time today.
This is the second time in two weeks that government has suspended mobile service.
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Nepal parties’ no to offer, want Parliament restored Indian Express, India
Alliance to continue with protest, 24 hr ultimatum to King
'Nepal Maoists must be included in dialogue' Expressindia.com, India
Nepal crisis: Yechury backs movement
Restore democracy fully in Nepal: CPI Hindu, India
Himal of Nepal: A Salute To A Pioneering Magazine
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Fresh arrests belie Nepal king's offer
On Scene: A Revolution in Nepal?
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