The King And His Three Years

So the king says he is going to hold municipality elections within a year of 2/1 and parliamentary elections within three years of the same date, when he will handover power.

This regime is illegitimate. And so there is no question of the political parties participating in anything organized by this government.

But there also are technical questions.

Will the Maoists allow the elections? Isn't there a military stalemate in the country?

And if the elections are a way to forego talks with the Maoists, does that not merely prolong the civil war? The common wisdom is that talks are the best way out, the only way out.

The election talk is like another of the king's illegitimate moves, this whole idea of snatching away some members of the various political parties to induct into his cabinet. If that is his way of saying even people from various parties are with him, he is sorely mistaken. Individuals who are no longer members of parties are not democrats supporting 2/1.

And the move actually is a big reason why the king should not be paid as much by the Nepali people. You take money from the Nepali people, and you organize a coup to take power away from them. Neither the money nor the power is yours. So when you buy away politicians with that money and power, what message are you sending?

Of course I don't know the king, never met him, and all that good stuff. But going by his public actions, the only thing he will respond to will be a major people's movement. Statements by individuals, domestic or foreign, is not going to budge this guy. The movement is also important to polish up the democracy itself, to offer a better, more transparent, more vibrant, more responsive democracy than what we had in the 1990s. The movement is for democracy in the country, and for democracy inside the political parties.

I almost feel like Tulsi Giri saying it is either monarchy or democracy is Giri speaking on behalf of the king. Either he is going to be an active monarch or he will be a private citizen, a businessman. He does not wish to be a constitutional monarch. To each his or her own.

There are no short cuts to a movement. I think the talk should be on the logistics of the movement.

Monarchism is an ideology, just like Maoism. There are Maoists, there are Monarchists.

It is a group driven by a certain ideology. Before you can deal with them, you have to see them for who they are. To appeal to their good side is naive. What is the good side to Tulsi Giri!

Narahari Acharya For Nepali Congress President

Acharya is in news today saying he might contest for the party presidency. (Narahari Acharya Deserves A Platform August 17)

• Acharya to contest NC presidency Kantipur
  

I think that is great news. So far he is the only Congress person who has come forth with a clear platform. (The Narahari Acharya Proposal)

The party is not any person or family's private property. It is a public institution. It belongs to all its members.

Email From Bimalendra Nidhi

I received an email from Bimalji yesterday. I was delighted.

Nidhi was born in 1955. He was president of Nepal Student Union from 1980 to 1983. He has a Masters degree from Tribhuvan University. He is an Executive Member of the Central Working Committee and Chief of the Policy and Program Development of the Nepali Democratic Congress.

Date: Thu, 18 Aug 2005 22:43:49 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Paramendra Kumar Bhagat"
Subject: Re: Hello from Nidhi.
To: "Bimalendra Nidhi"
CC: "_______" , "______" , "_______" , "________"

Nidhiji. There are many people you should meet. And we will help arrange.

But these four names stand out.

_______, ______, and _______ are with the Alliance For Demoracy And Human Rights In Nepal, the number one organization working for democracy in Nepal.

And ______ runs _____.

We will look forward to seeing you.

Hello ___, ___, ____, _____. Nidhiji is a man who needs no introduction. He was the first person Deuba inducted into his cabinet after he became Prime Minister.

His family is like Koirala or Singh. It has made major sacrifices for democracy.

For me what is really big is that Nidhiji is a fellow Janakpuriya.

From: "Bimalendra Nidhi"
To: paramendra@yahoo.com
Subject: Hello from Nidhi.
Date: Thu, 18 Aug 2005 22:06:35 +0545

Dear Parmendra Bhagatji.

Thank you very much for regular mail.Specialy dedicated on Democracy.

We might come to the US.May be in the last week of September 2005.Hope we will meet there. If it is possible please send me email addresses of some friends whom I should meet over there.

With good wishes.
Bimalendra Nidhi.
Kathmandu, Nepal.

Somnath Ghimire On Leadership Crisis In Nepali Congress

Leadership crisis in Nepali Congress: Largest Democratic Party of Nepal

Somnath Ghimire
President, NSU USA & Canada Chapter

Today Nepal faces a crisis of leadership. Nepali Congress Party, the largest democratic organization is suffering during this time of leadership crisis when needed right now due to a political turmoil in Nepal. With the crisis clearly accepted by professional pollsters, astute observers and established leaders, the question becomes for us, how do we curb the current crisis of leadership? Which leader is to take responsibility for the events happening in Nepal? Who is the real leader as a role model? Perhaps the answer is found in returning to the basics of leadership. It is not simplistic to say that the current crisis stems from faulty leadership discovery and poor leadership development. But there is also another underlying reason for the current crisis of leadership: selfish leadership.

Why our leaders in Nepal became power & wealth oriented? And each of our so called democratic leaders should have engaged in a process in their democratic ways, which could, in time, produce an acceptable democratic system. Transparency is a hallmark of democracy. The content of democratic traditions is best made by example rather than by empty words. Our leaders did not recognize the real followers of the party, who have been struggling hard through out their life for the shake of the party and people. Who do we follow and trust?

The selfish leader will attempt to lead others for their own gain and for the detriment of others. These people believe that life is a point driven, zero-sum game, with winners and losers. They encourage others to be losers in the game of life so that they can collect all the spoils for themselves. Selfish leaders are driven by dishonesty.

As the NC leader and then PM Girija babu dissolved the parliament in 1994, the evil days and black cloud started again in Nepal. The NC must take all the responsibilities of the political uncertainty and agony in Nepal. The Nepalese people trusted NC for two general elections. Alas! It could not function well and Nepalese people suffered a lot again onto uncertainty of political agony and detraction of NC. Some of our leaders are all to be blamed as the root cause of political uncertainty in Nepal. Why our leaders have to be involved in corruptions while our hard earned baby democracy was just fostering? Had they been highly moralized and gave the people the test of a good governance, the country would not have been plunged into darkness and king himself would not be spearheaded as at present. And also there would not have been Maoist's problems. Now again, Girija Babu is trying to hold on to his power in NC which might be the result of his unsuccessful leadership in Nepalese politics. We can still remember how he went to the poll even there was the majority of NC in parliament. It is of utmost important to give leadership to young generation in Nepal.

Now our country Nepal needs a leader like Gagan Kumar Thapa and Narhari Acharya, whose impact is for their good and the good of Nepal and society. If leaders of 21st Century do not bring change as needed by the timeframe, their impact will be disastrous. We can understand that in 2017 BS, NC has to shoulder the Monarchy but not necessarily in 21st Century. Just as polluted water is as bad, or worse, than no water, so selfish leadership is as bad, or worse, than no leadership in any democratic institutions. The great need of the day is for that leadership, who is potential with high hope and aspiration and can bring changes in our society when needed. Our leaders in Nepal must ask themselves, Am I a true leader and who am I leading to and where?

Many of Nepali leaders have a faulty understanding of what it means to be a leader; they have chosen not to ask this question. Many people have been called to be leaders but have dismissed that call because they are not sure what a leader looks like or what a leader does. As a result potential leaders have failed to blossom because there is not any discipline and transparency in Nepali Congress' leadership. To counteract this problem, we have to take intentional steps to stir up the leadership potential in Nepali Congress.

Certainly, leadership is vital in the political realms. But, those realms are only the beginning -- and they may not be the most important areas in need of true leaders. Our leaders need to realize that they must broaden their definition of the spheres of leadership. They should understand that leaders are needed everywhere, in all aspects of life. Leaders in Nepal need to discover their leadership potential and they will embark on a journey that will truly be a nation making, life changing and life making.

True and clean leadership is the greatest key to curb the current crisis of leadership in Nepal. Due to poor leadership development, some people are in a position lead, but they lack the skills to do it effectively. We must give attention to our own leadership potential. As a leader in many different realms of life, we must develop the traits of great leaders like Late BP Koirala and Ganesh Man Singh. They were always guided by three life-precepts: integrity, innovation, and intelligence. And they have given their attention to the development of each of the three precepts. As a leader, listen to your inner voice and begin developing the strong character that defines a leader. If a leader listens to second or third person for his decision making, he is not a leader; instead we call him a defector.

We support leaders like Gagan Thapa and Narhari Acharya to continue their struggle without halting despite difficulties or setbacks. Those who win are those who continue one minute longer. We all know that it is the commitment to daily excellence that leads to their eventual destination: republican setup in Nepal.

It reminds me that "There are no traffic jams on the extra mile." The current leadership crisis calls for people who will go the extra mile to discover their leadership potential and develop their leadership ability. As we embark on this journey, remember that the Chinese character for crisis is a combination of the symbols for danger and opportunity. This is very insightful. The crisis of leadership is a dangerous time when people are without clear direction as it is happening in Nepal. However, it is also an opportunity for those who are willing to give attention to leadership development. Our culture is crying out for good leadership, and those who seek to meet the demand will succeed in bringing about positive and lasting transformation, ultimately leads to a republic Nepal.