The political standoff is likely to continue even with the end of the 8th general convention of the CPN-UML establishing an elected new leadership in place of the existing ad hoc leadership. The convention may go for collective leadership that may not depart from its conventional direction. It is feared that the CPN-UML, like other political parties, may fail to chart out its future course of action and may continue its fight against the Maoist youth wing YCL, although all leaders have stressed the need of politics of consensus at the opening session of the convention.

It will definitely be in the best interest of the nation if they really actually abide by the same principle in the days to come. These days the Unified CPN-Maoist leaders including the Prime Minister are expressing their apprehension about the possible dissolution of the Maoist-led government on the one hand, and the leaders of the main opposition party, the Nepali Congress (NC), are stridently voicing the immidiate need for searching for an alternate government.

Interestingly, both the sides know that the main task before the nation is the writing of the new constitution and until that is accomplished the country has to be governed by the democratically elected government. Constitutionally, without the participation of the UCPN-Maoist no constitution drafting process is possible, as it requires two-third majority in the Constituent Assembly and it has more than one-third seats in the Constituent Assembly. Dissolution of the government is possible only when political parties other than the Maoists decide finally not to have a new constitution and continue the political stalemate, which would unfortunately push the country to the brink of another protracted internal conflict, violence and instablility.

Apparently, the problem with the Maoists is that they are unable to solve the problem of the adjustment and rehabilitation of the PLA that is becoming overdue. On the one hand they want to keep the PLA intact with different name-tags to use it as a bargaining chip and on the other they want to integrate it with the Nepal Army to have control over the defence establishment. The Maoists often talk about capturing of power and convince their cadres to remain prepared for another revolution if their government is toppled. They, however, fail to comprehend that capturing power is not the ultimate solution. If the world history is anything to go by, there are instances of various revolutions in different countries. We know the fate of the French Revolution, the Bolshevik Revolution and the Cultural Revolution, etc. Revolution does not mean only throwing out any government.

A revolution must be lasting and it is possible only when it affects the mindset of the masses. It must influence the very way of living of the people. In other words, it should be capable of leaving a psychological impact on the common people. In a sense, the decision of the Maoists to participate in the Constituent Assembly election can be interpreted as a revolutionary decision. But the Maoist leadership has failed to defend it sincerely. It is evident from the inaugural speech made by the Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who is also the chairman of the Unified CPN-Maoist, on February 12, at the ceremony to mark the eighth anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army, advising the combatants at the cantonment of Hattikhor in Nawalparasi to be ready to fight against those who may try to overthrow the present government. He further advised the cadres to remain prepared to usher in peace and federalism. He also boosted their morale, adding that by forming a special committee for integration and rehabilitation under his chairmanship, the status of the Maoist Army had been elevated to that of the National Army. He further instructed the Maoist combatants to follow the guidelines of the committee regarding their future and warned them not to disobey the decision of the committee, as they had no right to do so.

Significantly, the address delivered by the Prime Minster Pushpa Kamal Dahal reflects his concerns. He not only tried to pacify the impatient combatants, who are languishing in the cantonments, to be adjusted in the Nepal Army in the near future, but also seemed pessimistic about their total integration leaving more to be rehabilitated in different ways. He talked to them about the coming of a new era of peace simultaneously, with his advice to remain alert to fight, in case, his government is overthrown.

Therefore, observers are aghast at this state of affairs as to how the Prime Minister intends to lead the peace process to its logical end. It is prudent to display political maturity, which has hardly anything to do with age. It is dependent on the wisdom one displays in course of one’s personal and public life. Political leaders must display maturity in dealing with national politics which has long-term and far-reaching ramifications.

Prof Mishra is ex-election commissioner