Political Crisis Continues in Nepal

Thousands of Maoists took to the streets of Nepal’s capital Kathmandu and other cities on Tuesday.

They waved red flags and blocked traffic, swearing that their campaign of civil disobedience would continue until the president revoked his veto of Prachanda’s decision to sack the army chief.

Some also called for President Yadav’s resignation.

Resignation not very surprising

For some observers, Prachanda’s announcement that he was stepping down came as little surprise considering his government had gone from one controversy to the next.

Kunda Dixit, a journalist, explained that he had always had a tough time: “Prachanda himself has admitted that it was easier to fight the war than to run a government.“

Asta, a former Maoist fighter, did not see the resignation as a sign of failure but as a matter of pride: “The move was right. All the opposition and coalition partners have been doing is block the Maoists."

The 25-year-old fought on the frontlines during the civil war. She and some 19,000 former fighters are currently housed in UN-supervised camps, waiting to be integrated into the regular Nepalese army or into civilian life, as stipulated by the 2006 peace accord.

This has been a source of conflict with the army ever since the Maoists took office eight months ago. The tension culminated in Prachanda sacking the army chief General Rookmangud Katawal for insubordination at the weekend.

Maoist record unremarkable

Generally, the Maoists did not receive much praise for their record in government. Poverty was not reduced. The infrastructure was not improved.

A new government will face many of the same challenges.

The second party in parliament, the Unified Marxist-Leninists, is expected to lead the next coalition government, at the request of the Nepali Congress.

Kesar Bahadur Bhindari, who used to be in the Nepalese army, thought the UML would “try to incorporate the Maoists” so that the former fighters did not leave the democratic process but said it would be “difficult”.

Not very "democratic"

Although the former Maoist rebels formed a political party in 2006, Kunda Dixit explained that they had not fully adapted to the political culture of democracy: “If they would compromise more and really behave like a parliamentary party in the coalition, then things would be smoother.”

“I think they want to have their way in everything and they think they have all the answers -- they think that everyone should agree with them and those are traits of a totalitarian party.”

Although nobody predicts a return to civil war, the current political instability could end up hurtling Nepal into chaos, which would definitely be a blow to the young republic.

Author: Sabina Matthay/Anne Thomas
Editor: Thomas Bärthlein