On April 6, 2006, the demonstrators enforced a four-day nationwide general strike against the direct rule of former king Gyanendra who seized power sacking a democratically elected prime minister on February 1, 2005. Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in the following days, bringing the monarchy to its heel 19 days later. The slogan of "New Nepal and absolute democracy" had tripped off the tongues of people and everybody felt change was in the air. [break]
The peace process began with the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement on November 21, 2006. The first meeting of the Constituent Assembly (CA) declared the country a republic two years later, overthrowing the 240-year-old monarchy.
Four years on, people feel betrayed. The slogan of a New Nepal has become a cliché; the peace process has frayed; and the constitution drafting has hit the roadblocks. Worse still, Nepali Congress (NC) President Girija Prasad Koirala, who was acting as a patron of the peace process, passed away two weeks ago.
However, the Maoists and the political parties have become active once again to write the constitution and conclude the peace process, thanks to the recent statements from former king Gyanendra, former prime minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai and at least one top leader of Bharatiya Janata Party to move the country back to constitutional monarchy and a Hindu state.
"These activities have made the political parties active again. And now there is a new hope," says NC leader Narahari Acharya. He argues that the peace process would be concluded and the constitution drafted on time should the political parties forge a national government and agree on the modality of integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants.
"We have already agreed on the socio-economic transformation of the country. Other Issues, including the Maoist stance on constitutional provisions, have been used as bargaining chips by the Maoists as they surfaced only after the Maoist government was dissolved," says the NC ideologue.
Agrees Maoist vice-chairman Narayankaji Shrestha. "The recent surge in rightist activities should bring the parties closer. National consensus has become the need of the hour," he says. According to him, the Maoists would declare a revolt if counter-revolution from the rightists prevailed and that would lead the country to civil war.
He is also of the opinion that the peace process and constitution drafting would conclude if the parties agree on the modality of the integration and rehabilitation of the Maoist combatants and a national government is formed.
"But this government must be dissolved and a national government formed if we move ahead towards peace and prosperity. Talks among the parties have begun, but achieving that goal remains a challenge," adds Acharya.
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