In Nepal's democratic revival, Maoist rebels dubious
As victory rallies erupted across this Himalayan nation Tuesday following the reinstatement of the parliament by King Gyanendra on Monday night, analysts cautioned that while the royal retreat is a victory for democratic forces, Nepal still is far from securing permanent peace.
On the 19th day of a peaceful uprising that closed much of the country, Gyanendra also agreed to a road map presented by an alliance of seven political parties for the resolution of the bloody Maoist conflict.
The seven parties welcomed the king's step and have already decided to form a government under the premiership of Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala. However, the Maoists, who participated in the demonstrations under an agreement with the parties, strongly dismissed the king's move, vowing to press on with protests.
In a statement issued Tuesday, Maoist chairman Prachanda and his No. 2, Babu Ram Bhattarai, said that by accepting the king's offer, the parties have made a "historic" mistake, broken their pact with the rebels, and betrayed the people. The Maoists entered into a pact with the parties in November, with both agreeing on constituent assembly elections for the drafting of a new constitution as a condition for Maoists to join multiparty politics.
The Maoist leaders said they would carry on protests "until an announcement of unconditional constituent assembly elections."
While the Maoist rejection sparked worries among peaceful protesters, analysts see the statement as a pressure tactic from the Maoists. Krishna Khanal, professor of political science at Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu, says that such a response from the Maoists is not surprising given the amount of blood they have shed demanding constituent assembly elections.
"This happens in politics. The rejection is just to put pressure on the parties to announce constituent assembly elections quickly," he says, pointing out that their statement clearly says they will continue with their programs only until the elections are announced.
The main bone of contention is between "conditional" and "unconditional" constituent assembly elections.
The parties want the Maoists to lay down arms before participating in constituent assembly elections. However, the Maoists have been demanding unconditional constituent assembly elections, during which they are prepared for UN arms monitoring.
However, many don't see this issue as big enough to prevent the Maoists from entering a peaceful democratic process. With people's representatives heading the government to be formed after the parliament convenes on Friday, the Maoists can be convinced that they face no threat from state forces and can therefore lay down arms to participate in constituent assembly elections.
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