Democracy For Nepal

Monday, August 15, 2005

5 Steps To Democracy

Take over power: Take Over Tundikhel.
Build a democratic party, the total, transparent kind: Janata Dal Constitution.
Introduce a democratic constitution into the country: Proposed Constitution.
Promise rapid economic growth in the aftermath: 21st Century Nepal.

Go global with it: Reorganized UN, Methods.

I just received news of foul play by the Koirala faction at the Nepal Student Union convention in Pokhara in an email from Somnath Ghimire. This is beyond ridiculous. It has been shamelessly customary for individuals to get double and triple Masters degrees so they can continue to be students and continue to contest the student elections. But for someone over 80 to jump into the fray is beyond shameless. Girija should just plain stay out.

But he is not going to.

And I received this amazing email from an amazing student leader of an amazing global student group yesterday. (Email From Charlie Szrom, Email To Charlie Szrom)

You put these two together and you get a dynamite of a cocktail.

I think Gagan Thapa should break away from a party that has only humiliated him and instead go directly to the people.

Gagan Thapa has become the face of the movement for democracy in Nepal. It is not Girija. Gagan is clean, Girija is not. Gagan is clear, Girija is fuzzy. Gagan is fresh, Girija is stale.

The movement for democracy needs a fresh break, a fresh, dynamic start.

I would be happy to engage in some major fund-raising from my end. The growth could be spontaneous and fast. But the lead has to be taken.

A Gagan Thapa who will not let a King Gyanendra scare him should not let some Girija scare him either. The fight for democracy in the country is with Gyanendra. But the fight for internal democracy in parties is with Girija. Both are equally important.

Neither can be ignored.

Gagan is not young. His youthfulness is a great asset in a country where over 40% of the people are less than 14 years old.

He should be party president.

He is the one who has hit the world headlines. He is the name on the US Senate floor. It has not been Girija, not someone else.

He has shown guts tempered with thoughtfulness and clarity of message. His style is democratic: he is constantly consulting with his associates and friends. He is for elections, not nominations.

His name and face are not any less recognized than either Girija or Gyanendra.

Gagan Thapa has become a political brand name.

The party will grow like a forest fire. Once it has been launched. It will spread its message globally.

Nothing like a fresh start.

Gagan's commitment should be to democracy, not to an outdated political party, especially when that party is in the way of democracy.

I say, let's do it.

Renaming The Blog In Honor Of Gagan's Release
Email To Charlie Szrom
Email From Charlie Szrom
Gagan Thapa Released

Renaming The Blog In Honor Of Gagan's Release

The blog is being renamed to For A Democratic Nepal.

I am also going to rewrite the proposed constitution to make room for the monarchy in there. See, the thing is my proposal for the monarchy is highly creative:

It has zero political power.
It does not cost the country a dime.
The king is "seen and heard" at the same time: my proposal sends him on television once a year in a big way.

And the biggest reason is that I feel the path to peace and democracy is quicker if you retain the monarchy. As late as the end of 2004, 60% of the country wanted to retain a constitutional monarchy. A democrat would respect that sentiment.

As for Gagan. I think he should think of ditching the Nepali Congress. Look at this Email To Charlie Szrom. In there are the 5 Steps To Democracy For A Country:

Take over power: Take Over Tundikhel.
Build a democratic party, the total, transparent kind: Janata Dal Constitution.
Introduce a democratic constitution into the country: Proposed Constitution.
Promise rapid economic growth in the aftermath: 21st Century Nepal.

Go global with it: Reorganized UN, Methods.

It is like this. There was the Panchayat. After that ended, a lof the Panchas joined the Nepali Congress. That is not a cheap step. That is a positive transformation for the country.

Parties like the Congress and the UML are old. They are stuck in their old ways. What I am proposing is a new kind of democracy, the kind that does not exist in India or America, definitely did not exist in Nepal, the kind that even the Maoists will happily embrace and forget their guns forever.

And the seven parties are in the way. They are moving too slow. Their momentum towards internal reforms are non-existent or too slow.

I would be willing to do fund-raising at this end, if people like Gagan Thapa will take the jump. And I have no desire for a political career in Nepal. So it is people like Gagan Thapa who benefit politically. They will see a rapid political rise for themselves. More importantly, my proposal is good for the country. That counts.

This is my open letter to Gagan Thapa, who in many ways has become the face of the movement, even more so than Girija. And to the likes of Gagan Thapa. He is not too young to take more of a lead at the national level.

What say you?

Mary Joyce, Demologue

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