Nepal the small, land-locked Himalayan country is one of the
unfortunate nations in our neighbourhood which is in doldrums unlike Bhutan. After
years under monarchy, majority of Nepalese revolted against the former,
especially during the tyrannical rule of King Gyanendra which literally
suffocated the masses. Much blood spilled over the streets of Nepal and
hundreds of thousands laid down their lives for the coming generation. The uprising
was led by the banned Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) under Pushpa Kamal Dahl
‘Prachanda’ in 1996. After continuous onslaughts by the masses against King Dhyanendra’s
forces the Nepalese ensured the bowing out of the former. ‘His Highness’ turned
out to be one among thousands or was stripped of his entitlements which he and
his predecessors enjoyed for decades.
The Maoists played a prominent role in ousting him from
power. Elections followed, Communist Party of Nepal (Maoists) bagged majority
of seats and under Prachanda a democratic government occupied power in 2006. He
had begun to rule Nepal with other parties joining as constituents.
Though Prachanda was an organizer par excellence, as an
administrator he was an utter failure.
Without completing his tenure as Prime Minister he had to step down from
power on May 25, 2009 and the then President of Nepal Ram Baran Yadav held the
reins of power for a while.
Nepal’s rule subsequently came under Baburam Bhattarai of
CPN (Maoists) Madhav Kumar Nepal and Sushil Koirala of Nepalese Congress. None
could provide stability as a result which another round of elections declared.
In the ensuing elections held in 2015, United Marxist
Leninist Party (UMP) emerged first Nepalese Congress came second and CPN
(Maoist) a poor third followed by other entities.
Though India preferred Sushil Koirala’s elevation as Prime
Minister of Nepal it was K.P.Sharma Oli of United Marxist Leninist Party (UMP)
who is a bitter critique of India.
Since nearly a decade, Nepal was bereft of a Constitution
owing to the bitter wrangling among the political parties. It was after the
Supreme Court served an ultimatum and set a deadline the parties deliberated on
a war-footing and finally came out with a Constitution followed by constituting
a Constituent Assembly.
The Madhesis and Tharus which form a substantial part of ethnic
population who are settled down at Terai region bordering India accusing the
government under K.P.Sharma Oli, for
sidelining the former they went on a blockade of trucks which is still going on
leading to crisis in Nepal. Health Services, Transport services, domestic needs,
all badly in need of fuel find the government in a quandary. Though China
evolving into a good Samaritan supplied them with fuel which was sufficient
only for a short term the removal of blockade alone is the lasting solution. In
the meanwhile Mr.Ohli put the entire blame on India which irritated the latter. Oli retracted his charges immediately and went on to declare that Nepal
wanted a good and warm relationship with India.
The Deputy Prime Minister cum Foreign Affairs Minister Kamal
Thapa had paid a visit to India last week in connection with the blockade and
the difficulties his small nation faces in various departments. While drafting
the constitution itself, India had advised Nepalese leaders to take each section
of the population into account. If they had heeded India’s advice such a
misfortune could have been avoided.
Now Oli government has climbed down from their stand and
talks are reportedly going on in full steam. Let’s hope for the best.
No comments:
Post a Comment