The Maoist threat to disturb CA polls has bewildered all those who have been giving them great credit for the success of Jana Andolan II and for bringing the issues of women, dalits and janajatis to the fore. The fact is that until two years ago all the components of the seven party alliance were against the CA and had been paying lip service to discrimination against women, dalits, ethnic communities and Madhesis. But the Maoists put the issues of janajatis, madhesis, women and dalits on their agenda and also motivated other political parties to seriously consider these issues. Naturally honest and non-partisan civil society was behind the Maoists and general support for them during the CA election was increasing. But the announcement of the Maoists to create hindrances to the polls has raised serious doubts in the minds of those who had been supporting the Maoists as genuine transformers of feudal Nepal.

The Maoists insist that the CA election would be a conspiracy against the people unless monarchy is abolished and republic proclaimed. They are also insisting on adopting a single electoral system based upon proportional representation. One wonders why the Maoists did not support the CPN-UML when at the initial stage of declaration of the interim constitution the CPN-UML had proposed to hold a referendum on continuation of the monarchy and had suggested proportional representation. Why the Maoists, ignoring the CPN-UML stance on electoral procedure and resolution of the question of monarchy by a referendum sided with the Nepali Congress and others in an alliance that opposed the UML proposal?

However, it does not mean that any person or party cannot hold a new idea. So having fathomed the popular will expressed by Dalits, Janajatis and Madhesis in favour of proportional representation, the Maoists made a right move by rethinking their previous stand. The interim constitution which was adopted after approval of all parties in the alliance including the Maoists had deferred the issue of monarchy until the formation of CA, which would in its first meeting dwell upon the issue. Now the Maoists have declared that as long as the monarchy continues the king would create problems for fair and free election.

They have every right to believe so but at the same time they also have to consider that the interim constitution has stipulated that the legislative parliament can abolish monarchy if it was found that the king was involved in actions jeopardising the electoral process. The Maoists must forward proof of the king’s involvement. With such proof, the legislative parliament could make a decision. Otherwise, intimidation of political parties and Nepalis who are hopeful and eager to elect a CA is not only undemocratic but also immoral. The people are sovereign, not the eight-party alliance. Let the sovereign people decide either through their representatives elected to the CA or through a referendum. In fact, holding a referendum before the CA election will be the most democratic way to honour the people’s verdict and will have unquestioned

legitimacy.

The Maoists, who have had such a huge impact on Nepali politics in restructuring the state and creating a new Nepal on inclusive democratic model, must not create hurdles to free and fair CA polls but show their faith in the wisdom of the masses. Let the Maoists declare their option either to abide by the interim constitution or to go for a referendum. In the absence of such an option, intimidation will create doubts about the Maoist faith in a pluralistic society where even those who do not agree with them have a right to declare their options and vote accordingly. The Nepali people have been waiting for almost six decades to decide their own destiny and no hindrance to the election to the CA would be tolerated by the people who are now hopeful that the down-trodden masses finally have something to look forward to.

For the establishment of lasting peace, it is vital to provide opportunity for every individual, group or party to express its views and democratically reconcile with the will of the majority. In fact the most democratic way, and which will also be conducive for lasting peace, is a referendum before the CA election to decide on the future of monarchy. For whatever reason the Maoists could not go along with the CPN-UML, they must now honestly accept that CPN-UML’s stand during the adoption of the interim constitution was both correct and mature.

A new Nepal has to be democratic and free from discrimination against any caste, creed, religion or sex and all must be provided with equitable share in policy-making and governance. Such a Nepal also has to be free from intimidation of any political force or institution. Having done so much to create a new Nepal, the Maoists must consider dropping their policy of intimidation and desist from creating hurdles to the CA polls. They must base their demands as per the wishes of the Nepali people.

Upadhyay is ex-foreign minister