Balen held the flight of Nepalis to the United States responsible for the poverty of Nepal. He further said that Americans cannot build their country without people from around the globe
The outbursts of Donald Trump after his ascent to the coveted position of President of the United States for the second time has raised the eyebrows of millions around the globe. His assertion that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky is a dictator because of his continuation in the office without any election or that he is a modestly successful comedian has added a pinch of salt to the Ukrainians who have been wounded physically as well as psychologically by the naked invasion of Russia. It has certainly brought cheers among the supporters of the Russian President, Putin, in Russia.
President Trump in a way has been a great leveler as he has not spared even Nepal, which certainly may not fall in his priority given its modest profile. He said in one of those White House conferences that USAID for the promotion of federalism in Nepal is nothing more than a fraud. He also said that the $19 million offered to Nepal for biodiversity conservation was of a similar nature.
Trump's statement has evoked a mixed response in Nepal. There is no dearth of supporters as well as opponents in the country. Even Prime Minister K P Oli has been drawn into this controversy. He is alleged to have said that the abolition of the monarchy in Nepal was like seeking to reach the United States on a bullock cart. Given that republicanism and federalism went hand in glove, the Prime Minister also has been portrayed as being at odds with federalism.
The political avenues have been resonating with the voice of President Trump, whose remarks must have pleased Prime Minister Oli as well. There are many people who opine that this antagonism towards federalism is responsible for very little support extended to the provinces, such as the indifference shown towards making the necessary provisions.
It has certainly brought relief in the Rastriya Prajatantra Party camp as they have been opposing federalism right from its birth in Nepal. As the political party seeking the restoration of monarchy in Nepal along with the annulment of federalism, which has been dubbed as a white elephant that a poor country like Nepal can ill afford, they were agog to hear what Trump has narrated.
Few people had the teeth to utter even a word against the statement of the most powerful person, the U.S. President, on this earth. One of them was, however, Balen Shaha, the Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City. He paid a left-handed compliment to President Trump saying that he had helped Nepal to realise that it was better than the United States. Though it may sound unconvincing, he came with a seemingly logical argument by saying that the United States had prospered not because of the contribution of Americans as such but due to the hard work of non-Americans, which is acknowledged both inside and outside the United States.
Balen held the flight of Nepalis to the United States responsible for the poverty of Nepal. He further said that lazy that the Americans are, they cannot build America without people from around the globe. He also suggested banning the Diversity Visa so that the world could get back their gem like capable citizens. Balen's words came as a balm to the Federalists who were hurt by the words of President Trump. They are mainly the supporters of the Maoist Centre and Janata Samajbadi Party.
Such dialogues between the leaders of small and large countries are, however, very few and far between in the history of Nepal. One of them was during King Mahendra's inaugural meeting of Gandak Project in 1962 with Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. The King is reported to have said that he wanted to be treated as an equal and not as a dependent as indicated by Nehru. In this public meeting with Nehru attended by tens of thousands of Indians, the King had said that the friendship on the basis of parity can only be mutually beneficial.
The diatribe of Balen may not have made any difference to President Trump like the proverbial crowing of a crow to the drying of the mustard oil cake, but this episode has certainly bolstered Shah's ever-improving image. He has earned accolades for several of his earlier constructive campaigns. One of the most glaring was the prevention of construction within 20 meters on either side of the rivers and the Supreme Court's verdict in his favour.
Some political parties had ridiculed him, but the drowning of buildings by a high overnight rain reflected how right he was. The pavement of the city core for pedestrian movement was also criticised initially by some, but it has been appreciated now due to ease in movement. Similar was the case of the removal of the street vendors from the footpaths. It has certainly strengthened his political base.
Federalism has, however, been on the receiving end. As such, it has been facing a question mark regarding its relevance in the face of the existing federal and local government side by side. President Trump's labelling of it as a fraud has further tarnished its image at a time when it has been the main topic for amending the constitution apart from a few others like proportional representation.
The Nepali Congress and the Unified Marxist-Leninists have claimed to have entered into a coalition to address several of issues ailing the country. But the amendment of the constitution forms its spine even though the lack of its meaningful addressal even after seven months has concerned many especially the opposition parties.
It is unfortunate that Nepal has had to change the constitution every now and then when countries like the United States and India, the two old and greatest democracies of the world, have made very little or no amendments at all. Let us hope that the next amendment will be like those of the aforementioned illustrious countries.