Nepal's prolonged transition

Yuba Nath Lamsal
Nepal seems to be in prolonged and perpetual political transition.
Already passing though a long political transition, Nepal is unlikely
to see the end of this painful political transition in the near
future. Political transition is the period that is marked by
instability, uncertainty, chaotic situation and weak law and order
often jeopardizing the rule of law. Such a situation is a boon and
blessing for unscrupulous people who are always out to benefit out of
the chaotic state and uncertainty, while it is definitely bane for
ordinary citizens.
 Nepal's present situation is a unique case. In the period of every
one decade or so, Nepal faces a unique political transition that lasts
relatively longer period of time. In the period of last slightly over
six decades Nepal has seen and suffered multiple political
transitions. But efforts were made only to manage the temporary
solution, which gave birth to another new and different kind of
political problem and transition. The way we are passing through the
state of perpetual transition and instability, it looks as though
Nepal is being used as a political laboratory to test different models
of governments and systems.
We are always in the process of experiments and trials, perhaps at the
behest of not ourselves but someone else. We have experimented
dynastic rules, monarchical system and republican democracy. We tested
unitary primitive system and a limited decentralized set up in the
past. We have already made pledges to opt for federal state structure
to ensure a genuine self-rule of the people. The process of federalism
is already underway, which would be formalized after a new
constitution is promulgated. There are still debates and disputes on
the modality and number of federalism. Federalism will be yet another
experiment as it would be a test case to ascertain how federalism
would fare in a small country like Nepal.
Nepal remained a primitive feudal structure unable to be a nation
state for a long time. The concept of nation state emerged only after
Nepal came close to contact with the rest of the world. Even during
the Rana period, the concept of nation state had still not been
developed in Nepal. In the beginning Nepal was a unit of military
warriors in the campaign of expanding its territory. Its expansionist
spree came to a grinding halt with head-on collision with the British
imperial power that had already gobbled up almost entire South Asia
except Nepal.
Despite losing a sizable territory to British colonial power in India,
Nepal was able to maintain only limited independence. After the
Sugauli Treaty in which Nepal lost not only a sizable territory but
also its independent posture, to a certain degree. With the
establishment of British mission in Kathmandu, British colonial power
in India started meddling in Nepal's internal affairs. In practice,
Nepal was reduced to a semi-colonial status. The practice of foreign
interference began with the arrival of British mission in Kathmandu
which indulged in hatching conspiracy in political circle and propping
up one faction against the other in the royal court of Nepal. The rise
of Ranas and their family oligarchy was the result of the British
conspiracy and tendency of Nepali knights and nobles to give in to
foreign powers for their petty and personal benefits. Ranas
compromised sovereignty and national independence to ensure their hold
on power which continued until 1951 when the popular movement
overthrew the oligarchic regime and ushered in a democratic regime.
The 1951 political change brought about a new era of open and
competitive political environment in Nepal. But, at the same time, it
ushered in an era of instability. The period of one full decade saw
the height of instability which continued until monarchy took over and
imposed absolute power dismantling and disbanding all democratic
system and institutions. Despite some upheavals and resistance of the
people at different interval of time, Panchayat survived for almost
three decades which is relatively more stable period since the 1951
political change. The stability under Panchayat regime was not the
spontaneous one but forcibly maintained with iron hands of the
absolute monarch and its lackeys.
All the regimes and changes that were brought about in Nepal were
experiments behind which foreign hands in collaboration with domestic
reactionaries are suspected. Even during the Rana period, conspiracy
was the name of the game. In this conspiracy, members of Rana clans
were used by the British mission in Kathmandu. Even after the 1951
political change until today, conspiracy and foreign meddling are
always behind the change of regimes and system. External meddling has
been the fundamental problem of Nepal.
In this sense, Nepal always remained in transition. We tested and
experimented limited democracy doled out by the monarchy in 1951 and
again a one-party dictatorial regime under monarchy which was called
the Panchayat system. With the overthrow of the absolute monarchy of
Panchayat, we also experimented multi-party system with more power to
the people virtually rendering the monarchy to the status of titular
head. We have now made a rupture from the past and transformed Nepal
from monolithic unitary system to federal structure. We have bid adieu
to the 240 years old feudal monarchy and declared Nepal as a
republican state. For the first time in the history of Nepal, an
ordinary Nepali citizen was elected as the head of the state-- the post
was earlier reserved for a particular clan. This is, without any shade
of doubt, a historic change and great achievement of the people. But
this should not be the end in our forward political march.
We have arrived at this juncture following a long but tough and
tumultuous journey. We traversed many transitions and rocky political
roads. Even now the goal that we fought throughout history is yet to
be achieved. Our goal is stable and vibrant democracy--a genuine
democracy that makes the people real masters and strengthens our
independence. We experienced and overcame many transitions and have
arrived at this point of history that we Nepalese people are in the
process of determining the final course of our journey. The task is
difficult but this is a must to ensure our better and brighter future.
This transition from the old feudal and monarchical structure to
democratic and republican set up is a new experience in Nepal. The
republican set up is yet to be formally institutionalized. As the
entire country is in transition, the political parties, too, are
finding it a bit difficult in managing themselves and adjusting their
activities. All parties are in internal imbroglio with ugly factional
fighting. People in the top echelon of party structure and
organization are creating their own cliques and factions within the
party. There are several parties within a party. Factions are getting
stronger whereas parties are dying. This is not the case of any
particular party but a common phenomenon of all. The bigger the party,
the worse is the factional fighting. All factions are pulling up their
sleeves to have their upper hand in the organizational structure and
leadership. This is because the parties, too, are in transition.
Republican set up and federalism are definitely a new system as the
parties and people were accustomed to monarchical and unitary system
for 240 years since Nepal was created a unified state. Major political
parties, whether wholeheartedly or out of expediency, have welcomed
the new scenario and trying to adjust themselves in it. Federalism is
the issue that has divided the parties at present. But federalism is
the only façade but the real issue is the political model that has
kept the political forces divided. The Congress, CPN-UML, Madhesis and
other fringe parties want Western model of capitalist democracy
whereas the UCPN-Maoist and some parties outside of the Constituent
Assembly including the Mohan Vaidya-led CPN-Maoist are pushing for new
democracy, which is akin to the system that was established in China
in post 1949 Revolution. This difference and ideological divide is the
crux of the entire political deadlock. It has been thought that the
new constitution to be promulgated by the Constituent Assembly would
be resolved this political issue and give the country a new era of
stability. But this is not so easy. It seems that the CPN-UML and
Nepali Congress are in the mood of bring a new constitution based on
majority ignoring the demand and disgruntlements from other parties
within the Constituent Assembly and outside. This would not solve the
problem but invite yet another round of conflict.

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