Predicting the Unpredictable: Nepal’s Politics Plunges into Deep Crisis

Growing tensions among major political forces, unsettled ethnic and communal agendas and decline in credibility of political parties have raised serious question about the peaceful solution of current impasse.

With Chief Justice (CJ) Khila Raj Regmi’s March 14 appointment as the head of executive (Chairman of the interim electoral council of ministers), the Nepal has formally entered into the era of decree. On the one hand, Nepal’s political parties have failed to respect peoples’ mandate by installing an unelected man at the helm. On the other, future political course of the country has become highly unpredictable. It is not sure whether Khila Raj Regmi will be successful in holding elections (in November. Forget about June possibilities.)

By Siromani Dhungana
UWB

With the appointment of CJ as the chief executive, the notion of power separation has been dismantled. So much for democratic values!  ‘Political syndicate’ practiced by major four political parties forced people to be ruled by bureaucrats. This decision of major political parties was shocking to many democrats and analysts believe that the political crisis in the country will further deepen.

Apolitical Politics

I was en route to Nuwakot — the adjacent district to Kathmandu — the day after CJ was appointed the chairman of interim election government. The microbus driver started talking about appointment and asked, “what happens if we let helper to drive the bus all of a sudden?” According to him, the decision to allow CJ to lead the government was just like giving the control of wheels microbus to an untrained helper.

Many agree with his assessment. This decision doesn’t even represent views of the majority of central leaders of Nepali Congress and CPN (UML) let alone represent the peoples’ wishes (though some foreign diplomats in Kathmandu may love to believe so).  This decision has in fact undermined the peoples’ right to choose their representatives to rule them. It further proved that our top guns of major political parties do not have political capability to rule the country.

Chief [In] Justice Sab

And, Regmi became the synonym of greed and power-hunger. The person who is supposed to provide justice to all easily nodded to be the chairman of the interim election government which made the mockery of the rule of law.

Maoists were clear enough. From the very beginning, they wanted to destroyed the reputation of the judiciary and push it into controversy so as to end the public trust on it.

It seems Khila Raj Regmi failed to evaluate the severity and implication of his acceptance. Now, Nepal’s judiciary has converted into a political-like institution and it is for sure that political institution cannot be out of controversy. Due to shortsightedness of CJ Regmi, Nepal’s judiciary has lost moral ground to charge anyone with contempt of court case. Court will now face heavy criticism from public and its credibility and independence will be questioned and Regmi will be remembered for long for his power-hungry attitude.

Again in Interim

Nepal’s politics has entered into an interim phase once again. Existing political leadership have failed to end the perennial transition pushing the country further into interim rule. The country has already born the brunt of prolonged interim period. Development activities have been halted and national coffers have been misused by leaders from ruling parties.

Deception Forever

Nepali politics is another name of deception. Accountability and transparency have been illusive and leaders are good for nothing than providing false promises. During the constituent assembly election, people were told that they could be master of their own destiny. People were further told that they would have been reeling under poverty due to rooted structure of feudalism.

After six years, it has been proved that people were betrayed and politicians had delivered false promises. It seems no single politician is serious enough to embrace issue of economic prosperity and political stability. Unemployment rate has been skyrocketing but who cares? In fact, our leaders lack vision and political characters. Most of them are deceptive and hypocrites.

More Instability Ahead

The politics in the future may be more fluid and fragile. Tensions between political parties and the interim government will rise. Conducting election will not be as easy as our Chief Justice-turned-chairman of interim government Regmi has thought. The question is: “Whether he can bear the political pressure and face the criticism of people?” I think he cannot. Political stagnation will continue and if failed, the Regmi-led government will push the country into deeper political crisis.