Unfulfilled promises

It is soon going to be a year since King Gyanendra took over all the state power stating that he will take steps to defeat terrorism, stop corruption, establish peace and restore democracy within three years. But given the grim political scenario, I do not know how he is going to achieve all this. In the last one year, senior political leaders have been jailed, communication lines cut off, and several steps taken to curb press freedom.

Such moves are anti-democratic and contrary to what the king has promised.

Establishment of peace is not a high priority item on the royal government’s road map since it did not reciprocate the Maoists’ four-month ceasefire.

Constitutional forces — the monarchy and the political parties — are headed in different directions and corruption is still rampant.

Pranav Gautam, via e-mail

Poll drama

The municipal poll drama seems ridiculous if the events so far are any guide. There are some candidates about whom the public has never heard of. Their ability as representatives is doubtful. Such an election can jeopardise the entire democratic system. In any case those who have filed their nomination papers are only going to be the royal government’s henchmen.

Also, given the tight security, there is hardly an election atmosphere in remote areas. It seems that the government has completely miscalculated the situation. Such an election is meaningless and only a farce in the name of democracy.

Hemanta, Germany

Illogical

Nepali Congress (NC) supremo G P Koirala’s demands seem illogical. For instance, he wants

reinstatement of the dissolved House of Representatives, which is against the Supreme Court verdict. He also wants an all-party government that could solve the Maoist problem. However, the same parties in power for almost 12 years could not solve the major political problems of the country. So what makes them think that they can solve the problem this time?

Ironically, Koirala wants to include the Maoists in such a government, which would conduct the Constitutional Assembly elections. But letting in the Maoists is going to be very dangerous, as they would completely devour the parties.

Gayatri Pradhan, via e-mail

Confused

Bollywood star Manisha Koirala is seen campaigning in the country for the municipal polls. However, she seems to be confused or unaware of the true political scenario facing the country. She said that she would like to tread in the path laid by her grandfather B P Koirala. B P was a champion of democracy in Nepal.

Manisha cannot claim to be his true follower when she speaks for the royal government and its unpopular upcoming elections.

Manjit Maskey, via e-mail

Good one

The Midway article “12-hour friendship” by Chudamani Giri published in THT on January 26 was a simple but great write-up. I want to congratulate the writer. Such write-ups brighten

the day of the readers and I feel proud that Nepal has young writers like him who can do justice to creative writing.

Guna Laxmi Dhungana, USA