Evidently, the fuzzy political situation in Nepal has drawn much attention of those foreign states that feel their stakes and interests at risk. Concerns are being aired by all the concerned states, especially after the deferral of the promised poll for the constituent assembly. Still greater worries and anxieties are expressed at the non-implementation of the required steps that must be taken if the peace process for the socio-political stability is to be put on track for an unrestrained journey towards democratisation.

However, the much-needed conditions as desired by the masses have, to date,

remained a mirage. With each passing day, people in general are growing frustrated with the behaviour and attitude of the politicians who do not hesitate to make big promises, but seldom translate them into reality. There’s still not a glimmer of hope of their promises materialising, leave alone the grandeur of the political democracy for judicious socio-economic uplift of the Nepali society.

Currently, Nepal’s political plight snarling with socio-economic woes has much to do with the scores of visits undertaken by foreign dignitaries of different levels and standing in the last few weeks. Naturally, the neighbouring countries are bound to take interest and show concern to a greater extent than other countries farther off on the map.

Frequent political interactions and geographic proximity have put India’s concern and interests in Nepal in perpetuity, never in abeyance. This makes the attitude of India toward the most recent development in the politics of Nepal highly sensitive. Similarly, the just concluded visit of the Chinese dignitary with high political access in his own country explains China’s concern over the emerging political scenario in Nepal.

The troika of the European Union during their visit in the first week of December

has also shown great interest in getting acquainted with the latest political events in Nepal. The EU has been dispatching such delegations frequently. Their interest in Nepali politics has never diminished, though it doesn’t have much at stake in Nepal.

Among the several visits paid by foreign dignitaries, the visit of the former US President Carter in the fourth week of November attracted many comments and analyses, especially his suggestion on the declaration of republic and adoption of proportional representation electoral system.

Needless to say, all visitors have reportedly shown concern and expressed regret over the deferral of the scheduled CA polls and the deviating peace process in Nepal. They have laid emphasis on the solidarity of the seven political parties for the success of the continuing peace process. They have also stressed the need to bring law and order situation under

control without which political and electoral process cannot succeed. Additionally, they have put forth their views to resolve the problems faced by the government and political parties of Nepal.

The wave of foreign visitors to Nepal in the future too would not ebb because they think that the government leaders and politicians posses no political acumen and wherewithal to solve the present political imbroglio. Although leaders at the helm now have been in the political play for several decades, some of them for more than half a century, they hardly seem to posses the maturity and competence to resolve the problems. Such an immensely pitiful and sorry state of political shortsightedness and gross inability exhibited by the Nepali politicians have led to advice and suggestions from foreign dignitaries, whether solicited or not.

The Nepali politicians have spent much of their time and energy in rhetoric for an inclusive and all-embracing democracy and governance. However, their behaviour and attitude in the past several months have made them non-deliverers of anything substantive because they are cocooned with their own relatives, clan and coterie within their own political parties. This has transformed them into the pigmy-sized politicians.

Ever since they held the reins of state power, they have turned a deaf ear to the inner voice and concern of the people with no pro-people measures taken so far, nor visualised any for immediate future. They seem to work for their own end and keep themselves detached from the people who had vaulted them to the height of the sovereign power.

Hence, they are hanging dangerously on the precipice at the moment. If they could not create a congenial atmosphere of understanding and reconciliation forthright instead of jockeying for power, they are certain to be swept away by the tide. What is genuinely demanded

from them is their improved political conduct to put the society back on track for true democracy.

Shrestha is ex-foreign ministry official