Onus on leaders:

The historic royal proclamation of Baisakh 11 (April 24) has brought the 19-day long people’s movement to an end with the victory of the masses. The people have achieved what they were demanding — reinstatement of the House of Representatives. The King, having seen no other alternative, revived the dissolved House of Representatives and handed over the executive power back to the people. Now our leaders will have to shoulder bigger responsibilities. The people have not forgotten the bad governance during the period that followed the restoration of democracy in 2046 BS. As a result, terrorism, corruption, unemployment and poverty grew in the country. Peace and security should be the top-most priorities. The leaders must learn lessons from past mistakes and now work for the welfare of the nation and people, whose courage and determination has won the battle to get democracy back.

Tilak Poudel Chhetry, Pokhara

People’s grief:

Aditya Man Shrestha’s article titled “Nepali politics: Monarchy at the crossroads” published in THT on April 19 was a good piece. As per the writer’s prediction, the people’ support to the seven-party alliance increased by the day and ultimately compelled the King to give up power. It is also true that the movement gained momentum only due to the participation of the Maoists, without whom the agitating parties could not have succeeded in mobilising such a huge number of people to come out to the streets. Since the Nepalis suffered enough at the hands of all the political forces — parties, Maoists and the King — if any leaders in the coming days repeat the past mistakes, as mentioned in the article, there is every possibility that the dissatisfaction of the people will once again erupt and will destroy the country. The country might disintegrate, which would be very unfortunate.

Dr Thakur Subba, Taplejung

Eye-opener:

With the restoration of the Lower House, the key demand of the agitating parties has been met. Taking into account the political scenario of the country and the political and constitutional crisis that erupted following the dissolution of the House of Representatives, the leaders must have realised how their egocentric attitudes affected the country and its democratic process. One of the reasons for the heightened political crisis was due to some unwise decisions of our leaders like ex-prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba. Had he not recommended the dissolution of the House to the King, the country would have been spared violence of this magnitude. The future prime minister should take this case as an eye-opener.

Ambika Pandey, Chitwan

Mistakes:

Apropos the news “NMA backs stir” published in the In Brief section of THT on April 24, I would like to point out some mistakes. Firstly, the name of my organisation was wrongly mentioned as Nepal Municipality Association or NMA instead of Municipal Association of Nepal MuAN). Secondly, instead of Kalanidhi Devkota, my surname was published as Tiwari. Hope you would be careful in future.

Kalanidhi Devkota, Programme Officer, MuAN