The government’s character and capacity have now become apparent along with the vested interest behind its formation. Three weeks after Madhav Kumar Nepal took the oath of office, the government is still having problems taking a concrete shape. The parties in government stood on a common ground while toppling the Unified CPN-Maoist government, but they are now divided. The coalition partners are fighting a losing battle. This government is an unnatural coalition forged as a reaction and with the support of unseen forces-it was bound to face such a fate. With the passing of time, the opinion put forward by the outgoing Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” in the parliament and to the countrymen has proved correct. The debate over civilian supremacy and international interference no more remains an emotional emphasis of a single party.

The issues that Prachanda raised are not only matters for debate, but they are

pivotal issues that will determine Nepal’s future direction. Some people have interpreted Prachanda’s remarks as expressions of frustration, while others analyzed them as baseless allegations aimed at justifying the propriety of his actions. These analyses are myopic and were used as tools to climb the ladder to power.

The far-reaching decisions in the name of the cabinet taken by this lame government consisting of ministers without portfolios can not be considered

normal. The government decisions are neither progressive nor status-quoist, they are regressive. The government decided to move the republic monument out from the Narayanhiti and construct it at Ratna Park; scrap the Ministry of

Constituent Assembly and State Restructuring; and reinstate eight army generals.This government is just a tool of the regressive forces.

At a time when the country’s internal and external sovereignty have been challenged, and the number of people displaced by border encroachment is going up, the traditional leadership is ready to forget own pride and dignity for power and regime. Puppets fail to perform on their own and, sooner or later, the puppet masters have to surface.

Madhav Nepal, to secure his post, had to follow the commands of Girija Prasad Koirala as well as other

internal and external power centers. His servitude in

this infamous drama has revealed many internal conflicts. His post was always at risk due to unfriendly leadership within his party. He has neither the internal support of his party, nor the moral authority because of his defeat in two constituencies in the CA polls. Nepal has become the weakest prime minister in the history of Nepal.

The more this government voices prejudice against the Maoists, the longer the government is likely to stay in power. The Maoists will turn irate and the internal tie up among the coalition partners would be as strong as after the 12-point agreement. Despite their own limitations, problems and conspiracy, the Maoists bagged political victory in the sense that

they helped establish Nepal as a federal democratic republic, raised and institutionalised the process of state restructuring through the Constituent Assembly, and introduced popular programmes and policies.

It does not mean that the Maoists were mistake-less. They committed mistakes during exercise of thoughts and artistic address of the leaders. Their performance did not match the desires of the traditional forces. It was natural because the party and its cadres were taking part in the political process after a 10-year-long armed struggle. National and international forces wanted the Maoists to move according to their own roadmap, but the Maoists did not want to follow the roadmap handed down to them. It was a big blow to the traditional forces, so pretexts were prepared; parliamentary standards, constitutional provisions and ethics were shattered; and past echoes of regression resurrected.

Forces that wanted to maintain the status quo used greed for power as the chemical compound to build a new coalition. The master alchemist has now been revealed, as well as the purpose, which was to oust the Maoists from power.

Forces that stand tall with external support should either accept their identity as a scarecrow or prepare to topple once the crutches are removed.

The chemical compound of greed for power has been disguised by creating an artificial terror of the Maoists. They would also want the Maoists to become emotional, and are even prepared to commit criminal activities in the name of the Maoists so that they can suppress the Maoists again.

If the Maoists lose their reason, then these forces will establish military rule with the means of a presidential move by sacking the Madhav Nepal government. Increasing pressure from Bhadrakali is an indication of things to come. Everything will now depend on the Maoists’

political initiatives and their ability to combine the Apollonian with the Dionysian. The meaning of this poor chemical bond lies here, and only this can save the nation from civil war and military misadventures.

Peter was an advisor to the Maoist-led government narenjp@gmail.com