Speech wary

Now that the 13 days of mourning period after the passing away of Nepali Congress President and former prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala is over from today, the void left behind by him is being attempted to be filled in. In fact, in the few days after his demise, the country’s politics heated up, and it was being questioned if it would be able to complete the peace process within the short stipulated time remaining to do so. Koirala had been a towering political figure in Nepali politics and was even referred to as a guardian by other political leaders. The peace process was largely the brainchild of Koirala, and it is indeed very unfortunate that he did not live to see its fruition. His passing away could not have come at a more inopportune time for this was when the country needed him the most as political activities seemed to be making no headway and was deadlocked. Koirala was seen as one man who could have made the difference as there was much respect for his contributions to the country’s politics, and there was acceptance by most political leaders of his leadership under whose stewardship the nation has come so far. He also headed the High Level Political Mechanism (HLPM) that sought to end the political impasse. Now, however, that he is no more, and there are talks of power struggle within the Nepali Congress (NC) party, although in public the top NC leaders have made it known that they would be going for collective leadership.

Keeping in mind the dire consequences that would result should the constitution not be promulgated in time, better sense seems to be prevailing among the leaders of the various political parties of late and most of them have been on record as saying that they would go to all extent to see that this will be done. These leaders have expressed their commitment on a timely statute. But this time around let us hope that they live up to their pledges. There are many contentious issues about what are to be incorporated in the constitution and the leaders should resolve the dispute soon. The top leaders for the most part are seen to be acting with partisan interests sidelining the needs of the people. There is much refrain about reaching a consensus, but going by the activities of the leaders they are doing just about everything but striving for one by sticking adamantly to their rigid stances.

There are also talks making the round about changing the present government, and the party leaders appear to be engaged more in power struggles. Under the circumstances, unless the political parties mend their ways there is very little chance that the peace process will reach its logical end. Now is the time for the political parties to display maximum flexibility and work earnestly to settle outstanding disputes. They should also be able to take each other into confidence and create a climate of trust amongst themselves. Now there is no time to waste with not even two months left to draft the constitution. It should be realized that there is no other alternative now for the party leaders other than to unite for the cause of peace that would be possible after the timely promulgation of the constitution.

Groovy raids

These days the fancy among the police personnel seems to be the dance bars, restaurants and guesthouses. The reason is not hard to understand. Moral policing is a part and parcel of the duties that the police have to take up in making the metropolitan city a better place after all. How many such places are targeted doesn’t make much of a reading because the sensationalism concerning how many girls or men were held has a fascination for the readers or viewers. If nothing is happening worth its weight in the political arena, the specific raids on the morality plank has earned kudos for the police from those who want to make the society not so colourful.

The dance bars add colours to the otherwise monotonous surroundings that revolve around potholes, scarcities, bandhs, sit-ins, lock outs and the like. But, the police has taken up the cudgels of moral authority to drive home the point that there’s something called the ‘moral science’. However, there is no glut of outlets for those who want to escape to such joints on the sly, so swooping down on a few vulnerable dance bars and the like will hardly make a dent in the so-called flesh trade. Now, who would want all the stores shut?