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| Sketch portrait of Ram Baran Yadav, President of Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Imagine if there had been a power above the three poles in Nepali politics in 2005 - the Maoists, the Monarchists, and the Democrats - that insisted the three forces must forge consensus. Unless the Maoists and the Democrats managed to forge some kind of a consensus with the king nothing was going to change. Gladly such a power did not exist, although
the US ambassador kept trying to forge an alliance between the king and the seven parties. He got it wrong.
India got it right. But not even the US and India were insisting that the three forces forge consensus. Such a call for "consensus" would have been asinine and would have prolonged the sad status quo of civil war and human rights mayhem. And such a call would not have been neutral. It would have been pro king. Because the call would have brought about paralysis and maintained the king's rule.
President
Ram Baran Yadav, in insisting on consensus, is 100% responsible for the political paralysis in the country today. It is not his business to seek consensus among political parties. That might have been the job of an executive president. He is not one. He is supposed to be like the Queen of England. He is supposed to be like the
president of India. But instead he is like, I don't even know what he is acting like. There is no parallel. He is not being dictatorial. Because he is not trying to take over. He is acting partisan. He is behaving like a
Nepali Congress person that he was before he became president. He does not seem to understand that he no longer has a political party. Even after his term is over - and it is numerically over, he has been in office for over four years now - he will not have the option to go back to being a Nepali Congress person. Just like Pranab Mukharjee in India is no longer a member of the Congress party there.
All political parties in the CA are collectively responsible for the fact that they did not deliver a constitution in two years, or even four years. All Prime Ministers that sprung out of the CA are responsible. Subhash Nembang is responsible. The president is not responsible.
It can be argued Subhash Nembang and
Baburam Bhattarai are together responsible for the fact that the last CA did not make election related amendments before it expired. All parties are responsible. The president is not responsible.
CA revival takes the president out of the picture, and that's a good thing. A ceremonial president should stay ceremonial. Political activism is unbecoming of the office.
Pre-Emptive Street Action On The Part Of The Ruling Alliance Would Be A Good Idea
This is no friendly match. In many ways the struggle for federalism is more complex than the struggle to end the monarchy was in 2006. That was clear cut. This is not so clear cut. The anti-federalist forces have many options to confuse the masses. And so the ruling alliance has to go for pre-emptive street action to revive the CA. When the CA is revived, the ruling alliance should take credit. Reviving the CA will also be a challenge to the NC and the UML in that, if they want to oust Baburam Bhattarai all they have to do is bring a no confidence motion against him in that revived CA. That would be okay. Requesting presidential activism is not okay, it is outright shameful.
Maoists will take up arms: Baidya
the time for the revolt will be determined by the political situation. .... the general convention has endorsed an immediate program for bringing in a people´s federal republic, a people´s constitution and a national joint government. ..... his party would not join the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML protests. .... Baidya urged media to strike a balance over coverage of the killing of journalist Dekendra Thapa, informing that journalist Krishna Sen was also killed during the insurgency, by state forces.
President can't be quizzed for shelving ordinances: Experts
the Supreme Court (SC) cannot compel the head of state to approve them. ..... the government is mulling a legal way to exert pressure on the president to approve the ordinances. ..... one can politically question the president´s discretion but this again cannot be challenged in court. ..... if the government wants to challenge the president it should move the court. ..... "The government may lose the legal battle as our courts are not progressive"
Faith-based Federalism
federalism is neither a grave threat to national unity and integrity as its detractors fear, nor a panacea for all our social ills, political exclusion and economic inequity, as its true-believers proclaim .... Perfectly intelligent, reasonable and progressive thinkers can justifiably take a position in favor of federalism or against it, or for differing models of federalism. ..... Of the nearly 200 sovereign states in the world, only a small minority—about two dozen—have adopted some kind of federal model. ..... of about two dozen federal states in the whole world, only a handful are identity-based, and most of them are examples of what not to do than what to emulate. With such mixed global track record, it takes a great leap of faith to presume that ethnic federalism will be a success story in Nepal. ........ effective affirmative action, social safety-nets, and proactive measures that seek to secure equal opportunity by creating a level playing field for all ..... Of the 27 members of the European Union, only three follow federalism .... the EU today is actually moving towards a borderless super confederation, a far cry from some Nepalis’ quest for ethnic Bantustans. ..... I am personally agnostic about federalism ..... instinctive, emotional and faith-based rather than evidence-based ..... senior government jobs can never be the path to prosperity for large numbers of people in modern economies. This is an old state-centric view that is likely to inflate the size of our future governments by creating a parasitic state with over-staffed sinecure public-sector jobs, as in Bosnia where I understand up to 80 percent of national budget goes to pay for the salaries and facilities of government officials. ..... Experience world-wide –even in socialist countries like China and Vietnam—shows that only a thriving private sector-led economy can produce jobs and combat poverty in a sustainable manner, while the government plays a strong regulatory role, and assures basic services, infrastructure and social security. ...... if we have good governance, progressive laws, and effective affirmative action, any system—whether federal or unitary, parliamentary or presidential, can work to bring about a just and prosperous society.
Oppn alliance announces 20-day protests
mass protests in Biratnagar (February 2), Nepalgunj (February 3), Pokhara (February 4), Dhangadhi (February 5), Janakpur (February 6), Bhairahawa (February 7) and Kathmandu (February 8). “Our protest is for holding the election at the earliest. But for that there is a need for a national consensus government,” said NC leader Dr Ram Sharan. ...... the ruling Federal Democratic Republican Alliance (FDRA) has also decided to launch ´awareness´ and ´people´s mobilization´ programs across the country. .... decided to form FDRA chapters in all districts
Okay ordinances or reinstate CA: PM to president
Baburam Bhattarai has told the president that either the latter should endorse the ordinances forwarded by the government or the dissolved Constituent Assembly (CA) should be reinstated to resolve the constitutional and legal crises..... The prime minister also asked the President Ram Baran Yadav not to extend any longer the deadline issued to the political parties to find consensus prime ministerial candidate saying that extensions have so far remained meaningless. ..... the ruling parties have warned that they would not attend meetings called by the head of state if the latter kept extending the deadline in future. .... "It is the responsibility of the political parties, not of the president, to forge consensus [on formation of national consensus government]" ..... The ruling alliance reiterated that it would not quit the government until the political parties arrive at consensus on all issues. ..... Dahal proposed to raise the issue of Constituent Assembly (CA) revival saying it was not possible to conduct fresh polls for CA by mid April-May. .... proposed to extend the Federal Democratic Republican Alliance (FDRA), an alliance of about two dozen political parties, to local level.
UCPN (Maoist) seeks support for CA revival
“Those making the suggestion were of the view that such a move would help form the government as any leader garnering the simple majority can be elected prime minister,” said Tuladhar.
UCPN(Maoist) out to re-activate YCL
The political parties had demanded dissolution of the para-military structure of the YCL, which had been housed in groups in the some industrial buildings...... They brought the cream of the People´s Liberation Army out of the cantonments, saying they were forming 21 divisions, including the seven divisions in the cantonments. ..... There had also been some clashes with the UML youth organization Youth Force and the Nepali Congress sister wing Tarun Dal.
CPN-Maoist forms 51-member CC
CP Gajurel has retained his position as vice-chairman, Ram Bahadur Thapa as general secretary, Dev Gurung and Netra Bikram Chand as secretaries. ..... While Baidya-led group had insisted on launching a people´s revolt, factions led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Baburam Bhattarai lobbied for “peace and constitution”. .... "No new policies were introduced nor are there any new members in the new CC. It would be better to call it a plenum than a convention,” questioned Ramdeep Acharya, chairman of the party´s trade union.
Dahal calls for 'parallel govt' revival
Prime Minister Bhattarai was the head of the self-styled Maoist government during the insurgency. ..... Baburam Bhattarai was the head of central level parallel government named Joint Revolutionary People´s Council. Similarly, it had run district people´s government at the district level and village people´s government at the village level. The Maoists had also run judicial and administrative activities in the Maoist base areas including in Rolpa, Rukum, and Jajarkot. ..... announced to organize development and production related programs to provide protection to the whole-time cadres, who are left in a lurch after the party joined mainstream politics. .... it will be easier to carry out development activities through "parallel government" while the party is in government. He has maintained that big development activities and production carried out with the ´state resources´ will not only benefit the party´s cadres, but also help enhance party´s relations with the people. ..... if we can give due consideration to the use of state resources in large construction and production related works that will have direct impact on the lives of ordinary people when the party is in the government .... The former PLA will intervene in state powers and make revolt possible by raising awareness of people. .... The document has also proposed to develop revolutionary political line.
Stop issuing deadlines: Civil society to prez
The president may even choose to ask Pushpa Kamal Dahal to forge consensus with other political parties so that he can appoint Dahal as the consensus prime minister for holding fresh polls .... “Parties should reach a package deal, including on the leadership of new government that will hold polls and constitutional, legal and technical aspects with respect to the polls,” he said. “The president does not have any role here.” .... the parties are supposed to end the deadlock and not the ceremonial president
CPN-Maoist general convention endorses 'people's revolt'
unanimously endorsed the political line of launching ´people´s revolt´ by stepping on the foundation laid by the decade long ´people´s war´ .... While Baidya-led group insisted on the line of revolt, factions led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Baburam Bhattarai lobbied for ´peace and constitution´ as party line. ..... the circumstance in the given situation will decide whether to go for armed struggle or not, the convention has decided to take two-pronged policy of armed and unarmed struggle to realize the party´s goals ..... While some cadres argued that people´s war should be their main policy, the others stood for "people´s revolt". ..... the party would try to launch "people´s revolt" as the reactionary forces including UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress and CPN-UML are facing crisis during this transition period .... time now is ripe for launching people´s revolt as the parliamentary parties due to their failure to hold CA election or promulgate a new constitution are facing serious crisis. "Once the reactionary forces bring out a new constitution, we will reject the constitution and go for people´s war" ..... Baidya´s document has also termed Nepali Congress and CPN-UML as representatives of ´status-quoist´ forces, capitalists and beuraucrats.
Maoist paper proposes democratizing NA
A total of 1,442 former Maoist combatants have currently been undergoing trainings in various NA barracks. Of them, 71 are being trained for officer level positions in the NA. Six of the former combatants had opted for rehabilitation package, while another 17,000 had opted for voluntary retirement. In the initial phase, there were around 32,000 former combatants in the cantonments of which only 19,602 were verified by UNMIN. ..... While Dahal claimed that the combatants had been ensured dignified integration, Baidhya said such an integration only meant “surrender” .... The document, however, remains silent on the issue of alleged irregularities in the PLA fund.
Sixth year itch
The composure of the Madheshi politicos in Kathmandu is apparently deceptive. Soon they would be under pressure to hit the streets to achieve what they failed to deliver from Singh Durbar in six years. ...... Up to 2006, Madheshi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) was an obscure organization based in Biratnagar. Activities of its leader Upendra Yadav had been limited to opposing Nepali Congress. He had hopped from CPN-UML to CPN (Maoist) in late-1990s but had been lying low after his escape from the Indian capital. It was rumoured that Ramraja Prasad Singh had personally intervened to secure his release and safe passage. Upendra would later ditch his benefactor to ensure the victory of a fellow-Yadav as the first president of the republic. ...... MJF announced a ‘Madhesh Bandh’ on January 16, 2007, demanding that the country adopt a federal system and that the electoral constituencies be delineated on the basis of population. A handful of Madheshi activists—consisting mainly of disgruntled academics, frustrated bureaucrats and peeved politicos—symbolically burnt copies of interim constitution at Maitighar Mandala in Kathmandu. The government dealt with the protest in a ham-handed manner. Soon after, MJF juggernaut began to roll throughout Tarai-Madhesh. The rest, to use a cliché, is history. ....... Madheshis have begun to straddle the corridors of political power in Kathmandu. In the absence of parliament to reign in his ambitions, President Ram Baran Yadav fancies himself as the de facto chief executive of the country. Deputy Prime Minister Bijaya Gachhedar considers himself premier-in-waiting. ....... Emergence of Madheshis as important political players has done precious little to change ground realities in Tarai-Madhesh. The colour, composition and character of Permanent Establishment of Nepal (PEON)—the administration, the police force, the army, the judiciary, the media, and the handmaidens of donor agencies in the NGO-sector—continues to be predominantly Pahadi. The PEON has thrown away all pretences of impartiality and has begun to propagate, promote and defend communal interests in the name of ‘national unity’. ....... Something as simple as the nationality of children of naturalized citizens is still in limbo as political decisions have been overturned by administrative fiats. Courts have stayed the proposed proactive policy of special recruitment drive to include Madheshis in the army. The media and the civil society acted in tandem with conservative politicos to undermine the agenda of substantive federalism based on identity, dignity and viability ...... Impunity is the norm in Tarai-Madhesh where men in uniform take their right to arrest, interrogate or shoot in ‘national interest’ with dead seriousness. ..... Shorn of their motive force, Madhesh-based parties have become political machines of obtaining benefits from the state and distributing patronage among the faithful. Getting into government through whatever means has become the be all and end all of their politics. ..... Madhesh-based parties were in UML-led anti-Madhesh coalitions and have shared cabinet berths with the Maoists despite fundamental differences over principles of political economy. ....... how have Madheshis been coping with the challenges of surviving in a country where almost every organ of the state is inherently inimical to their very being? ....... In places like Biratnagar, Janakpur and Birgunj, the PEON has failed to dampen Madheshi spirits despite all the resources at its command. However, in bastions of Chure-Bhavar aggressiveness such as Itahari, Bardibas and Hariaun, the Madheshi intelligentsia tends to measure every word before speaking up. ..... vengeful Pahadis that want to teach Madheshis a lesson or militant Madheshis that want to give another push outnumber peace-mongers in most places. .... Among Peggy McIntosh’s oft-quoted 47 advantages of being White, three come to mind while talking about social harmony to mixed groups of Pahadis and Madheshis: “I can speak in public to a powerful male group without putting my race on trial; I can do well in a challenging situation without being called a credit to my race; and I am never asked to speak for all the people of my racial group.”
युद्धकालीन संरचना ब्युँताउन दबाब
अध्यक्ष वैद्यको प्रस्ताव पनि 'जनयुद्धको बलमा जनविद्रोह' भन्ने स्पष्ट किटान गरिएको छ । आवश्यक परे जनसेना, जनअदालतलगायतका दस वर्षे जनयुद्धका अवशेषहरू ब्युँताउने पनि दस्तावेजमा उल्लेख छ ।
'बाबुराम र प्रचण्डको कार्यशैली नदोहोर्याउन' बैद्य कार्यकर्ताको चेतावनी
'बाबुराम र प्रचण्ड क्रान्तिका धोकेवाज हुन्, सँगै बस्दा पार्टीभित्र गरेको भ्रष्टाचारलगायत विषय जनतासमक्ष सार्वजनिक गर्नुपर्छ भन्ने आवाज चर्को रूपमा उठेको छ,' उनले भने ।
Neutral government won’t deliver May election
Justice today can be bought and sold with cash
मधेशी संघर्ष समिति गठन
Poudel blames coalition partners for no consensus
UCPN (Maoist) pushes apolitical govt agenda
The NC and the UML say that an apolitical government will not be able to hold the polls when the country is heading through a complex transition. .... NC and UML leaders said that public faith in political parties would erode further when a civil society leader was named the new prime minister. .... UML’s official position comes at a time when its senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal is said to be positive about a neutral government for the purpose of holding the polls.
Maoist boss Dahal ‘has little hope for unity Cabinet deal’
Dahal, who held regular parleys with opposition parties earlier, has not held any consultations in recent days. ..... Dahal has concluded that forces are working to sabotage reconciliation among the parties
Govt will continue till consensus: Gachhadar
the present government would not quit prior to the consensus among the political parties .... not for the formation of national consensus government under an independent person as it was the responsibility of the political parties to tackle the national crisis.
Can't accept Koirala as new PM: UCPN (M)
During the meeting held at NC President Koirala´s residence, the top leaders of both parties concluded to take to the streets arguing that the Maoists were attempting to defer the elections in different pretensions and trying to impose authoritarianism.
PM acted irresponsibly: Thapa
AG faces ire for anti-trial order
Constitutional expert Shambhu Thapa said there is a need to create international pressure on the government to investigate the case in a free and fair way. Thapa demanded that the international community should not provide travel documents to Prime Minister Bhattarai and his Cabinet ministers.
UCPN (M) boss’ political document
UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has proposed launching a street protest in favour of Constituent Assembly revival if the political parties fail to reach consensus by January 14, the new deadline set by President Ram Baran Yadav to form a unity government. ..... the party should make the agenda of CA revival a success by garnering the support of a large section of people. ..... Opposition parties are divided over whether to revive the Assembly that was dissolved without delivering a constitution on May 27 last year, even though Dahal has been pushing the agenda since. ..... The UCPN (Maoist) has been arguing that if the parties fail to form a consensus government as per Article 38(1) of the Interim Constitution, the elected body is required to form a majority government and hold an election in April-May. ....... Some leaders in the party have been pressing the leadership to give up its stance of ethnic federalism. A leader said the issue was being discussed and the party convention will prepare a fresh stance on federalism. .... Dahal has proposed that the party engage in production-related works such as running cooperatives and communes and agriculture.
CPN-Maoist general convention: Delegates for armed struggle to attain revolutionary goals
A majority of the CPN-Maoist cadres have stressed that the party should prepare for an armed struggle to make the ‘new people’s revolution’ successful. ... Most of the cadres stressed that the revolution cannot yield a desired outcome in the absence of an armed struggle. ..... Most of the groups have concluded that the party can be a ‘revolutionary force’ only if it reconstitutes the military structure, United Front and parallel governments. “Currently, the party is no different in any way from the UCPN (Maoist). We need to develop our base areas and go to the people with a clear strategy” ..... “A majority of participants have stressed that a revolution without armed struggle is meaningless” .... the need for reviving conflict-era structures, including “People’s Government, People’s Court and People’s Liberation Army”, for a successful revolution. ..... Group participants also spoke against the party’s decision to name General Secretary Ram Bahadur Thapa as its consensual prime ministerial candidate. ..... “How can we launch a revolt if we are so keen to lead a government” ..... Groups have stressed that the party should launch a ‘people’s resistance movement’ to secure national sovereignty, address issues relating to people’s livelihoods and a ‘people’s constitution.’ ..... Central Committee leader Santosh Buda Magar said there was almost uniformity in the party that it should take up an armed struggle. “Peaceful movement alone cannot make the revolution successful so we are discussing further moves to achieve the goal,” said Buda.
Uniform PDA for all hydro, mega projects
The government will have a uniform power development agreement ( PDA ) template while negotiating with the foreign companies developing hydro power projects of all capacities. .... Four large hydro projects—Tamakoshi 3 (880 MW), Upper Karnali (900 MW), Upper Marsyangdi (600 MW) and Arun 3 (900 MW)—are awaiting to sign the PDA with the IB. .... Lower Arun (400 MW), Balefi (450 MW) and Likhu (120 MW), Upper Trishuli -1 (216 MW) and Upper Marshyangdi ‘A’ (50 MW).
Chinese tourists shine in Nepal’s tourism market
Visitors from the northern neighbour are the second largest foreign travelers in the country in the last three years. .... 85,832 Chinese tourists last year, which is more than 10 percent of the total arrivals in 2012. A total of 53,373 Chinese came to Nepal via air, while the rest came by road. .... Chinese visitors have been by far the fastest growing segment over the last two years. .... on an average, foreign tourists stay here for 13.12 days and the Chinese stay for 10.14 days, the second lowest after India. ..... Chinese spending in Nepal has of late superseded the spending of European travellers. The reason he gave for this trend is the economic recession in most European countries. .... As the Chinese are good bargainers, they spend $60-70 a day on an average. “Although, Chinese intend to spend more, a lack of products of their choice has contained their spending” ...... Their favourite places in Nepal are Kathmandu, Pokhara, Jomsom and Muktinath. However, of late, soft adventure sports have also attracted them. More Chinese prefer trekking, paragliding and rafting in Nepal. ..... the government plans to simplify visa procedures for Chinese tourists. ... The Chinese government has asked Nepal to revise the bilateral air service agreement (ASA) between the two countries as the travel demand has outstripped the seat capacity given to Chinese carriers. Three Chinese carriers—Air China, China Southern and China Eastern—currently land at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA).
Buddhist Circuit developed to exploit tourism potential
Bauddha, Swayambhu, Namobuddha, Kapilvastu, Tilaurakot, Kudan, Niglihawa, Sagarhawa, Baan Ganga, Maya Devi Temple and Ram Gram
Justice today can be bought and sold with cash
UCPN (M) passes Dahal's political paper
100-page document .... should strongly lobby for the reinstatement of the Constituent Assembly "in order to prevent the country from sliding into deeper political mess" if consensus does not evolve between the parties within a few days on conducting the elections in Baisakj (April-May). .... the new constitution must be issued from the CA by ensuring federalism and has proposed to mobilise the masses to create momentum for CA revival. .... The document will now be circulated to the state and district committees for debate ahead of the party's general convention to be held in Hetauda from February 2.
Revive CA to resolve constitutional crisis: Ashok Rai
Rai said the CA should, however, be reinstated just for legislative purposes, not for promulgation of the new constitution. .... criticising the opposition parties saying that they have not been able to come up with any idea to resolve the crisis
UML leaders call on NC, UCPN(M) chiefs
UCPN (M) to go all-out for CA revival if no consensus by Monday
the party should continue efforts for consensus until Monday when the presidential deadline expires, but it should focus all its attention on CA revival after that ..... Dahal has also proposed to mobilise the masses to create momentum for CA revival. ..... we may have to launch a mass movement for CA revival
12-party meet rejects proposal for alternative PM
nearly all the leaders at the meeting pressed the NC and UML leaders to launch massive protests against the ruling parties ... CPN-UML leaders, including party Chairman Jhalanath Khanal, former Prime Minister Nepal and Bamdev Gautam had held a meeting with NC leaders at Koirala´s residence earlier in the morning. They asked the NC leaders if the party can be flexible on the idea of seeking an alternative candidate. ...... Ruling Maoists have been insisting that the election government to be formed under a leader who is currently not aligned with any major political party. ..... The UML leaders also discussed letting the president to nominate a prime ministerial candidate in consultation with the political parties if leaders from major political parties fail to agree on a common candidate
Be prompt and decisive
But he cannot hold the vote without amending the constitution. The constitution cannot be amended without legislature or political consensus, none of which exists now. .... the five-point agreement, which provides for a Nepali Congress-led government to conduct the polls under the new constitution. His shifting positions aside, Bhattarai wants the opposition parties to join his government, because the new constitution did not materialize. ..... Bhattarai had rejected UML leader Madhav Nepal as prime minister from day one, and his party had refused to join the Nepal government. A self-proclaimed tit-for-tat person, Bhattarai ..... The opposition parties propped up Bhattarai to drive a wedge between him and Prachanda to weaken the latter. However, the nimitta nayak turned out to be more strategic and cunning than the opposition parties had thought. He has tackled three sources of threat to his power dexterously, and is trying to checkmate the fourth. ..... Bhattarai won India’s favor by signing the BIPPA and extradition treaty, by agreeing to hand over Nepal’s airports, and by not raising the prickly border and 1950 treaty issues. No other Nepali prime minister since 1951 has surpassed his loyalty to New Delhi. Consequently, India has prevented the key coalition partners from abandoning Bhattarai. Bhattarai blunted Prachanda’s threat by strengthening his own faction in the party and frightening his party boss by setting his supporters against him. Prachanda cannot pull the plug on him without risking a split in the party. Bhattarai has conveniently disregarded the opposition parties, for they lack clout to shake his power. ...... Suo motu or at the government’s request, the President can seek advice of the Supreme Court to restore the dissolved CA for a short period with a built-in dissolution mechanism. A restored CA can amend the Interim Constitution to make room for new elections, approve constitutional appointments, and change the government if necessary, in that order. In this case, two-third majority in the CA can amend the constitution, and a majority government can conduct the polls. I prefer this solution, as it will be constitutionally most appropriate . ....... If there is no consensus, the President can appoint a new government headed by himself, by an independent person, or by another political leader.
Jimmy Savile: Eccentric entertainer and serial sex offender
CPN-Maoists debate people's war vs revolt
Baidya´s political document is for completing the ´people´s revolt´ on the foundation of the ´people´s war.´ .... Those cadres for people´s war argued that there was no foundation now for a people´s war. The PLA, the people´s government and people´s courts were already dissolved. .... Nepal is not neo-colonial as stated by the party but semi-colonial ..... Referring to Nepal´s situation, they said that the then USSR was not the right model for armed revolt as Nepal is still semi-feudal and semi-colonial. .... We fell from the peak of Everest and do not know how far we have fallen. We should first find that out and start anew from there, not from zero .... Those who argued for people´s revolt said that there was no going back to people´s war. So, the party should form the party organization and its army for a revolt. ..... the party should guarantee that there would not be any betrayal of the revolution and that the leadership would not morph into another Dahal or Baburam Bhattarai. .... the party leaders should change their livestyles and make public their property and its sources. And all property of at lest those from the central committee level up should be handed over to the party. .... The cadres from Rolpa, the cradle of the decade-long Maoist people´s war, argued that the people´s war should now start from the cities.
President won't remain indecisive
President Ram Baran Yadav on Friday categorically told top leaders that he is not going to endorse even a single ordinance forwarded by the present government .... a meeting with top leaders of 19 political parties ..... The president also made it clear that he wouldn´t endorse the ordinances that were submitted by the present government even if the political parties unanimously suggest him to do so. The president is already sitting on nearly a dozen ordinances. ..... "He clearly said that he would endorse the ordinances after a consensus government is in place and a cabinet meeting of such a coalition recommends him to do so" ...... the president told the leaders that he wouldn´t remain as indecisive as the then CA Chairman Subas Nembang, who remained mute witness to the CA demise in May last year. ..... the president, unlike in the past meetings, presented himself in a noticeably different manner and was making strongly-worded statements ..... Yadav however repeatedly clarified that he wouldn´t take any move by bypassing the political parties. ..... Madhav Kumar Nepal floated a proposal at the meeting that the president be given a mandate to nominate a prime ministerial candidate given the political parties´ failure to agree on a common leader.
NC sticks to Koirala's PM candidacy
Parties get five days to name consensus PM; All-party meet tomorrow
PM Bhattarai has Rs. 1.1 million in his bank account
EC without office-bearers as two remaining commissioners retire
Parties now talk of consensus by mid-Jan
Madhav Nepal, others for alternative PM candidate
Prez to organise all-party meet on Friday
Melmilaap mending broken mirrors
Biratnagar once had the reputation of a Marwari town. At the Satya Narayan Mandir, morning prayers are still held in Marwari language. Golchhas, Dugars, Todis and various Agrawal families did give some color to the bazaar. But with a few exceptions, most of them prospered by accepting a secondary position in the social pecking order. The top echelon belonged to Rijals, Arjyals, Acharyas, Basnets, Karkis, Thapas, and yes, Koiralas. ...... The town lives with the image of having once been a base of Koiralas. In the days of yore, most Madhesis remained out of sight unless they appeared in public as appendages of the Pahadi aristocracy. Let alone Pahadis, even an upwardly mobile Madheshi wouldn’t be caught dead speaking Maithili—the lingua franca of rural hinterland. Hindi was acceptable, but Maithili? Biratnagar prided itself for not being just another Janakpur. That too is slowly changing...... The middle class still sticks to the ‘national language’ in public conversations. However, rickshaw pullers speak their language with pride. Girls cycling to school chatter away in their mother tongue. .... BP Koirala was born in Varanasi. Other than years served in jails of Kathmandu as most illustrious political prisoner of South Asia, he spent much of his time in India in self-exile. The same is true of Girija Prasad Koirala. ...... After the 1990s, GP was based in Kathmandu and paid only occasional, but always highly publicized, visits to his ‘hometown.’ Born and brought up in India, BP and GP were cremated on the banks of Bagmati at the Aryaghat. ..... Younger Koiralas don’t seem to have such emotional attachments to the town anymore. Many whisper in private that after the Madhesh Uprising, Biratnagar is in the process of becoming a “Madheshi Town.” ..... The communication between Pahadi and Madheshi communities, however, continues to be strained and guarded. ..... Nepalgunj is the closest equivalent to Biratnagar in western Nepal ..... Similarities between Madheshi-Pahadi relations in Biratnagar and Nepalgunj are so striking that memories of one town often gets mixed up with another. As in Nepalgunj, almost all rickshaw-pullers in Biratnagar are Madheshis while their customers are invariably Pahadis. The tone of conversations between rickshaw pullers and their customers have become frighteningly confrontational. Even a hint of condescension makes the rickshawwalahs mention Madhesh Uprising. Apparently, the Uprising had been cathartic even for toiling Madheshis. Pahadis, on the other hand, want to forget the nightmare. ...... The problem with mending a broken mirror is that no matter how hard one tries to fit pieces together, one or the other shard always keeps falling off. The new normalcy in towns like Biratnagar and Nepalgunj can only be created through a brand new statute. Sadly such prospects appear dim at the moment.
High speed trains: Blight at the end of the tunnel
