Sabotage!
He's done it again. That ol' scenile reprobate can't keep his imperious tongue quiet.
Dammit! Why doesn't he just curl up and expire?
In a monumental act of singular hubris and sabotage, Girija Koirala says flatly that the Nepali Congress will not, under any circumstances, go for a republican form of government; and, oh, this will not affect either the peace talks or the 7-party alliance.
He's said it and done it all along; it's Girija's way or the highway. Remember back last year when Ol' Babu puffed out his ailing chest and proclaimed that only HE could bring the Maoists to the table? (See blogdai: "Absolutely Insane") He has only one speed and it's as autocratic as any monarch with a mean streak.
Now, do you think he's going to let any citizen have a voice through elections and possibly disrupt his unilateral proclamations? Not on your life. Girija never cared for the idea of a constituent assembly and as long as he's alive, there will NEVER be an election held for such a body. This is his fiefdom and he is King; make no mistake about it.
What does this say about the state of Nepali politics when we can find no one better than this insane old man to speak for us? Whether his statements were his "personal views" or not, the timing of their release shows a monumentally remedial grasp of the political process. You don't alienate people who are already half-way out the door, you warped old fart.
So now today, UML's number two elf, Bam Dev Guatam says that the UML will go for a republican government with or without the NC. Couple that with the fact that the Maoists are already strutting around Kathmandu issuing orders like they own the place; and yes, Girija, I can see what you mean when you say that the "alliance" will hold and that you can amost guarantee that talks will be a success. How absurd!
Let's take an inventory shall we? Talks break off and no concrete date is set for their resumption; Maoists are issuing orders and conducting police actions in the street; and a major fissure is developing in the "alliance" with the UML making multiple overtures about same. Freedom from responsibility pundits might say that this is just "messy old democracy" finding its way, but we might as well call this new government and their vigorous non-attempts at anything what it is:
A FAILURE!
-=blogdai
http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2006/oct/oct26/news10.php
http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2006/oct/oct26/news12.php
posted by blogdai @ 10/26/2006 09:32:00 AM
23 comments
23 Comments:
Why are you critisizing me for saying that NC won't accept a republic? I thought you would like that.
sorry I mean why are you critisizing him (Girija)
What I like is equal representation. Floating the idea of a republic is fine if that's what gets all the parties to the table. I love republics. I just may not love a republic for Nepal for the simple reason that isolation and geographic autonomy makes the republican system in nepal ripe for cooption by Maoist forces.
girija has just taken away perhaps the only substantive talking point remaining where a good compromise could have been reached. We could have at least gotten our feet wet with a real representative democracy through a republic. It was the only hope we had, Maoist influence or not.
He's cut off all reasonable avenues towards successful talks by this gesture. Why am I criticising him? Because there is absolutely nothing about him that I can support and defend.
His time is up. Drag him off the pedestal he was not elected to and let's get someone in there who knows how to think, much less govern.
-=blogdai
Wait, I thought you said that a third wheel in the form of a monarchy is crucial in Nepal.
So with a republic there would be no monarchy. Girija is saying the NC want the monarchy to stay.
So why are you opposed to that?
No, you are off base here and have missed the point.
The monarchy can stay and a republic can stay. One is not dependent on the other. Now pay attention.
A republic is defined by a very specific characteristic: representative government. It differs from a pure democracy in that one person, say, is elected to transmit and represent the needs of many. To this end, a republic also allows certain autonomy of local government practice within each of these areas covered by a representative.
What keeps each of these little representative areas from spinning off and doing their own thing? Federalism. That’s where Girija and his idiots are supposed to come in. Their job is to keep each of these districts fairly on the same page so that a nation can have unified services, government and vision. In France the have a strong central republic where the little representatives are given less say in their day-to-day governance; while in the U.S., the Federal republic system allows for somewhat wider state autonomy.
While a republic does not allow a single monarch to rule the day, since this would abolish the representative system, it does not prohibit a monarch from taking a role, as I have said many times if you’d have paid attention, from providing a check and balance vote to a runaway monarch like Girija Koirala.
Now before you nit-pick again, let me be clear: I want G. to rally the RNA and abolish Maoist capacity. This does not mean blogdai wants G. to run Nepal. He’s already shown he’s incapable of doing so. Plus, he lacks the will to fire on his own people when they try to storm the palace. He's just not hard-wired to be an autocrat.
Republics work best when their central governing body allows freedom among the States and follows a liberal and open interpretation of the nation’s overall guidelines—its Constitution.
Girija doesn’t even acknowledge the needs of Nepalis outside of Kathmandu, and seems to want to bend the constitution to his own agenda. Plus, I’ve never even seen him come within a mile of allowing any equal representation. No wonder he off-handedly dismisses talk of a republic.
Now, wouldn’t it be nice if there were a party or entity of equal political weight to remind girija that he’s not the only show in town?
-=blogdai
I agree with Blogdai on this one. Let the people decide what they want. Girija is free to believe whatever he wants to. However, he cannot sit on the prime minister's seat, stick to his stubborn beliefs and hijack the country's peace process. His mission is limited to conducting an election.
But that does not mean that Maoists can declare republic before the CA election. If they want to declare republic prior to CA election, then what is the point of the election.
Although I do not like Madhav Nepal, I agree with UML, who want to have referrendum over this issue. Let us make a decision through an election and move on.
Girja is saying what he has been dictated by the Indians. In reality a feeble attempt to sideline Maoist for time being. Old skull must be quite numb with the barrage of demands by the Maoist and consequent knee bends by the SPA to think in long term or strategically.
Cut the bull- can anyone place a hope on SPA or Maoist? From the look of it, to remain sane and living what we need is to take law in our hand and fight for what is right and proper. I may sound ultra right but I speak what I see and not hide behind a veil of pseudo intellect or in pursuit to be mother of all democrat. I just state the fact without the fear of political affiliation, slotting or stereotyping. As all true Nepali must do in this hour of darkness. Be pragmatic rather than pretend or presume or act unnecessarily pretentious.
Sansar
"Why are you criticizing me for saying that NC won't accept a republic? I thought you would like that."
Because you are a political fanny.
I'm with you on this one, blodai. Its time, its really about time the 'democratic forces' stopped worshipping on the Koirala altar.
I don't think Nepal is ready for democracy. I really don't. But I don't see an alternative either. Catch-22......
At the altar, I think. Whatever. The point is, its time we retired Mr. Koirala's wrinkled ass. The old fellow doesn't know what the hell is going on.
Manan,
I am suprised that you are also the victim of that age old myth that Nepal isn't ready for democracy! Sure it is! And while the 1990 era was a chaotic time and there was curruption, scandals and bad governance there were also alot of positive development!! It takes time for a democracy to 'function' especially coming out of hundreds of years of autocratic rule. If this Maoist insurgency had not emerged, this blog and other blogs probably would not even exist.
Manan you wandering what positive development I am taking about? The VDC was really begining to become empowered and take shape, the development of a viberant media, and generally there was more development in rural areas. Our human development indicators were improving. Unfortunetly, the Maoists put a severe halt to all that. But don't think we weren't 'ready for democracy'.
The leaders were a huge dissapointment and they spent all their times fighting amongst each other. However, I think the Nepali people are also to blame because we didn't DEMAND accountability from our leaders. In a typical Nepali way we just expected things just like that - and that's not how a democracy works.
As for Mr. Koirala, as much as I don't like him, that's all we have for the time being. The other political leaders are even worse. I mean who would you put in place of Koirala right now?
Hay I Don't undersatnd Why people like blogdai Missunderstood Mr koirala. It's True Koirala say many contraversal speech about kingship in nepal. and some of his speech like supporter.But I would like to suggest Them who support kingship, that wait gyes koirala Going to take a woth of frist president of nepal.
Bhudai,
I still have a shaky belief in democracy. But as long as Prachanda is paraded like the new king and Girija and his cohorts allow nothing to happen in the country, I'll have serious reservations.
I'm not against democracy. I just think maybe now's not the time. Well, you're right, maybe its time we demanded accountability. Its long past time, actually. Do it now, or never........
And you're probably right about things at the village level, but as long as people at the top are so corrupt and incompetent, what can the poor villagers do?
Members of the Congress Party have to get out of the cult of Koirala first.
Manan,
Sure the people at the top are currupt and this whole batch of political leaders are worthless. There are some exceptions but yes you are right that generally they are bad.
But hopefully new leaders will emerge. Even if he/she doesn't come from within Nepal, I hope that out of the thousands and Nepalis that go abroad some will come back and lead Nepal. But don't loose hope on the system already!
Punditji,
Have you read "Hope is not a method" and times like this hope kills. No one is against Democracy even the Killers ( Maoist) speak of democracy; their version is this, "if they put aside their arms, democracy will be in peril." You speak of empowerment at the bottom rung, please visit one the vilages in Rolpa or in Nawalparasi to understand the depth of empowerment. The empowerment you talk about is forced or indoctorined one not the one you speak of, sorry to say but thats how it is.
The diatribe against Monarchy and deillusion that by speaking about Republicanism automatically gives the status of "developed stage" of people who talk about it and the nation is self destroying tendencies. But this tendency is the "fashion statement" of the day.
Lets not act what we are not but act and be what we are. Nepal is for Nepali, by Nepali and for Nepali.
Sansar
Everyone,
I still believe Nepal needs a democracy. I'm just unsure as to what is going on today can in any way be defined as 'the workings of democracy' or 'democracy in action' or any such thing. As for Gyanendra, I knew he was going to fail the moment he parroted Musharraf's line about destroying democracy in order to save it. I knew that very moment he didn't have the faintest idea what he was going to do; that he'd been encouraged by some reduntant royalist.
Well, I'll admit it. I prefer a reasonable autocrat to clueless 'democrats'. Rule by the rabble isn't my idea of great governance.
Can anyone, anyone explain to me why the Great Girija is still ruling us all? Hasn't he already demonstrated, four times at that, that he wasn't up to par? I don't understand the reasoning. Make a mistake, then make it again, and again, and hope that the problem will disappear? For God's sake, Girija Prasad Koirala, by virtue of his age alone, is unfit to rule this country. I suspect that the nation will be 50% more hopeful if he resigns.
Do it now old man, do it now. Aged one, you didn't know a thing about deomcracy then, and you won't now. Be a sport and resign. You're symbolic of everything that isn't working in the country.
Prachanda invited to HT's Leadership Summit
http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2006/oct/oct30/news06.php
This says it all. I have no words to say. Utter ruthless, pathetic world community. Shit Indians. Shit Americans. And Shit on all Nepalis first of all. Bloody call Osama too.
Hopelessly ironic headline of the day:
"Maoists extend ceasefire by 3 months"
(Kantipur Online)
YES! We are so lucky!
"The Maoist-announced ceasefire has got a new lease of life, as the rebels said Sunday they have extended the truce -"
(Kantipur Online)
I am sure that reassures any one who has dealt democratically with the minions of Marx.
I agree with blog dai to a large extent. However, i doubt the spam are/were talking about a republic with ceremonial monarchy. But then, I have been wrong before and maybe nepal will be known as "Royal republic kingdom of Nepal".
Koiral is koirala and he has been koirala for more than a decade now. Why should, would or must we expect him to change now?
The reality that the international community has woken up to is, king in some way (Mr. pundit is not going to like me for this) balances communist forces in Nepal. That is the sole reason for everyone talking about a ceremonial monarchy now.
The americans do not trust the maoists and they do not want maoists in any nepali government. Maoists had once mentioned they they were going to start a new red revolution in Bhutan with he bhutanese refugees in Nepal and now the US is taking 55 thousands of them to the US.
What should also be taken into consideration is that india now has a new foreign minister, secretary and a new director at RAW. Maybe this also suggests a shift in their policy towards Nepal. Notice how india has been very quiet on Nepali issues now and how vocal the US seems. Quite contrary to pre revolution period. Maybe the US has realized that leaving everthing about nepal to india was not such a smart move after all.
Mr. Pundit, stop blaming the people for the mess we are in. What were the people supposed to do? SHould they have gone to judicial courts and expected justice? Or should they have gone out on the stree to protest against the government? However, protest rallies need organizing and is seldom spontaneous as you try to potray. Look, why did you not go out on the streets? I think for the same reason majority of the nepali people did not. There had to be an organization or some kind of organizing to start rallies and so on. Nepal is country where people fear policemen, army, leaders or judges as much as they would fear the maoists or anyother dacoits and looters. Where were the people suppose to go? Nepali people did exactly what citizen in all dysfunctional democratic countries do and that is nothing. When policemen, judges and leaders do not protect your rights but infact abuse them there is very little people can do. It is easy to expect people to act like heros in movies who stands up for rights and fights wrongs but in reality it is not that easy if you have to do it alone.
See the Mexico government. They managed it in Oxacana and the world couldn't do a sh*t about it. Agreed, Mexico is much more independent and powerful than Nepal...but media management has been perfect there. Why couldn't the then Royal Government have a better Media Policy? They could have crushed the M and SPA and liberated Nepal from the tyranny but they just couldn't managed the media.
Mexico's government resorts to force to end months of unrest in Oaxaca
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2006-10-28-oaxaca_x.htm?csp=34
Mr. B:
I don't understand why you say I wouldn't like you comment. I agree with it and I have always said that Nepal would be better (at this stage anyway) with a ceremonial monarchy. I have battled people at Wagle's site on this issue - go and read the thread if you don't believe me.
And I do blame the people to a certain extent. I don't think it was all their fault but the people did play a role in making democracy dusfunctional. I know we came out of years of opressive rule and that's prbably why we fear the police and other authorities etc. but that's how it should be in a democratic society.
Look, I am a Nepali and I know how Nepali people are! We tend to be very complacient and laid back and accept things very easily. Talk to a tourist who has been to India and ask him to describe the difference in the people. Compared to us the Indians are so much more arrogant, demanding and sly. This is not a bad thing - in fact its great, but often this leads to people not demanding their rights.
Well Mr. Pundit,
How much do the indians achieve by their protests can been seen everyday on indian news channels. Of course the indians are more competetive than nepalis. Almost all nepalis have some kind of land that they get from their heritage. We hardly have any (it is increasing now) Nepalis living on the streets (except for glue sniffing children) but in India owning a house and land is a big thing and there are millions of people living on the streets. So, the struggle for survival is greater in India and hence they are more competetive. Ask any tourist coming from India and they will tell you that they are so happy to be here. They will claim that "there are simply much more similing faces in Nepal than in India. In Nepal nepalis have time to sit with them and talk to them as friends (of course not all of us are good)."
I think Indian police and leaders are much worse than the nepali ones. Their atrocities are much more cruel and the prospect of justice is just as distant. There are always some kind of a political force behind all retaliation (with exceptions of course) and almost all protests end with compromise between leaders where eventually the people get nothing.
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