Contents 2010

Budget

ANTA Convention: Emotional Bath
Polarization Is Complete: Nepali Congress No Longer A Terai Party
ANTA Convention Program Details
1st ANTA Convention: September 24-25
Indian Maoists
Securing Federalism And Beyond For The Madhesi Cause

A Maoist Madhesi Alliance Makes The Most Sense
Baburam Led Majority Government: Maoists + UML + Madhesi Parties
The Maoists Must Not Return Seized Property
Prachanda Can't Be Prime Minister
High School, College, New York City
"Madisey"

Surkhet Jumla Road
Upendra Mahato, Simon Dhungana

Crisis Averted
The Maoists Must Vote To Extend The Term Of The Constituent Assembly
Is Federalism Necessary?
Why Not To Fear The Maoists?
A Roadmap For The Maoists
The Maoists Have Won
The Maoists: Thinking Or Dogmatic?
An Appeal To The Maoists
Prachanda's Second Big Mistake?
The Infighting Among The Nepali Organizations In America
The Peace Process Is At Its Most Fragile

Nepal Seeing Major Political Crisis
Organizing Nepalis In America: Conversations With Simon Dhungana
A 10 Party Government In Baburam Bhattarai's Leadership
Girija Koirala: Half A Century Of Struggle For Democracy
Gopal Siwakoti, Kunda Dixit At The New School
Adhikaar: International Women's Day
Adhikaar: International Women's Day: Photos
Holi Videos
Happy Holi (2)
Happy Holi

Holi 2010
NRN Interaction At Yak

Jay Prakash Gupta: Note Of Disssent

The Maoists Have Won

Calling off their Nepal Bandh after six days I see as a grand victory for the Maoists. They have exhibited that they are capable of experimenting, that they are capable of the scientific approach. You try something. If it does not work, you ditch it and go try something else. First they tried a peaceful shutdown of the country. After they realized they were imposing unnecessary hardships for the populations, they partly lifted the strike. People could move around in the evenings. Perishable goods - fruits, vegetables, milk - could be transported. And so on. I was very impressed. Finally they have gone ahead and called off the entire Bandh itself. I am impressed.

Now that they have shown their street power, the Maoists still have the option to show their opponents their constitutional power. Unless the Maoists agree to it, the term of the constituent assembly can not be extended. If the term is not extended, this government's term is over, and there is a constitutional crisis. Although the constitution says you only need a majority in the parliament to form a government, in this case what is true is the ruling coalition needs the Maoists' approval to go on being in power. That gives the Maoists great leverage at the bargaining table.

A national unity government is still possible. It is desirable. But that has to be brought about through constitutional means. And it will only happen if the Maoists exhibit that they understand coalition culture. A coalition culture is where all partner parties together decide on who the Prime Minister will be, for example.

If Prachanda agrees to the Baburam Bhattarai name, that will give his party six months in power. And if the government performs well, the Maoists might come back with a full majority of their own in the new parliament. At that point, the Maoist central committee on its own can decide as to who their Prime Minister will be. Although I must point out I think coalition governments are here to stay in Nepal just like in India. The sooner the Maoists appreciate the give and take involved in coalition governments, the better their political prospects will look.