#396 18 - 24 April 2008 16 pages Rs 30

LAND OF MILK AND MONEY? A tea vendor outside Weekly Internet Poll # 396 Kathmandu airport in front of a billboard welcoming Q. Which party do you expect to get the tourists to Tibet. The Chinese ban on visitors to Tibet highest number of votes in the direct has hurt Nepal’s tourism industry. ballot of the elections? Total votes: 14,063

Weekly Internet Poll # 397. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com Q. Should the NC and the UML join the Maoists in the government?

THOMAS L KELLY Welcome to New Nepal

hat a difference a week the party most likely to steer this again, we risk being blamed for EDITORIAL makes. With the future country towards a peaceful and everything that goes wrong while It’s development, stupid Wturned upside down, prosperous future. the Maoists take credit for p2 the victorious Maoists and the State-restructuring may be the everything that goes right.” INTERVIEW defeated parties are finding it easy part, because there is What has not helped is that Baburam Bhattarai p6 difficult to cobble together a consensus on the broad even after elections, Maoist cadre Election result map coalition. parameters of republicanism and are still up to their old tricks. They p8-9 Nepal is going to be new, but federalism. But already, the beat up Finance Minister Ram what is it going to be like, how is Maoists are finding it difficult to Sharan Mahat in Nuwakot on Maoist Chairman Pushpa it going to be built, what elements convince the parties they defeated Monday and have been blocking Kamal Dahal has been trying to of the old Nepal will prevail? to join in a coalition government. supporters of other parties from lobby other parties to join in, and Much of this will be decided by Stung and humiliated by their attending re-polling in some has said he doesn’t want to “go at the constituent assembly over the rout, the NC and UML have centres. it alone”. The other issue has been next two-and-half years. The fact retreated into their shells and Proponents of a joint of the choice of head of state. that this assembly reflects Nepal’s have refused to join the government argue that since this Koirala has turned down Dahal’s diversity and has more women government. “It would not be was not a general election, the suggestion that he take up the than ever before will mean that democratic,” says one UML alliance needs to stay intact. The ceremonial position, and several people who never had a say will candidate. Some NC members who constituent assembly and the other candidates have also said no. have their voices heard. won are said to be keen to join the country’s economic problems are Dahal met Madhab Nepal of Most analysts explain the Maoist-led government. But the too serious to be tackled alone, the UML on Thursday morning, Maoists’ win as the people’s party is under strong pressure they say, even by a party that has but Nepal refused to be swayed. reward for making these elections from cadre not to join. won so decisively. The coalition Sources say the NC is willing to be their agenda, for having given up Said one senior UML source: will also have to accomodate a new convinced to join. the armed struggle and for being “By being a part of the government party: the MJF. Kunda Dixit 2 EDITORIAL 18 - 24 APRIL 2008 #396

Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd, Editor: Kunda Dixit CEO: Ashutosh Tiwari Design: Kiran Maharjan Director Sales and Marketing: Sunaina Shah [email protected] Marketing Manager: Sambhu Guragain Asst Managers: Deepak Sangraula, Subhash Kumar, Tanka Sitaula Subscriptions: Navaraj Guragai Tel: 5542535/5542525 Hatiban, Godavari Road, Lalitpur [email protected] GPO Box 7251, Kathmandu 5250333/845, Fax: 5251013 www.nepalitimes.com Printed at Jagadamba Press, Hatiban: 5250017-19 Hardly surprising The Maoists’ organisational skills paid off T’S DEVELOPMENT STUPID he late Ganesh Man Singh untainted. There were some brought ordinary people into the I , is (in)famously attributed among the controversial politicos reckoning. Gone, hopefully, are While some in the UML and NC are licking their wounds, others T with the vain boast that who got through, but only by the old ways of doing politics that may be rubbing their hands with glee. Who wants to be in even if the NC put up a walking reinventing themselves, mainly as the NC and the UML had finessed, government at hard times like these with fuel and food prices stick as its candidate in rocketing, the trade slump and massive capital flight? (‘Food part of new forces on the rise. a system they had inherited from insecurity’ and ‘Not just supply and demand’, #394). Kathmandu, the Congress would Other supporting explanations the Panchayat system and even This week, the lines at the gas stations have started again. still win. As the election results have been floated as well: general further beyond from the Rana Every month, we add another billion rupees to our huge debt to have shown, perhaps it is the fear that the Maoists would pick regime itself, of cherry-picking Indian Oil. The state can’t afford susbsidies, and previous Maoists who could have done up the gun again, intimidation among the notables to serve their governments have tried and failed to increase fuel prices. that this time around. and booth capturing, voting along interests in the villages and GDP growth is behind population growth, per capita income ethnic lines, especially in the deliver the votes. For years, the is stagnant, exports have plummeted, the trade gap with India is Tarai, thus, robbing the NC of its Maoists have gone door-to-door GUEST COLUMN so great that the thinktank IfDS is not joking when it says voter base. According to the and mobilised everyone in the Nepal’s number one export item to India now is the US dollar. Deepak Thapa Maoists’ former ideological guru name of class, ethnicity, language And even that isn’t buying as many INR as it used to. and current bugbear, Mohan with the central message that it is Domestic investment is at an all-time low, and capital flight Pundits are weighing in, and is catastrophic. Foreign investors are hanging by the skin of Bikram Singh, even ‘Indian a party that cares and respects the their teeth. The Maoists are coming to power at a time when will do so for a long time, to expansionism’ was a factor. people. incomes have plummeted and prices of essential commodities explain the Maoist victory. All of these factors surely The only force that could have have risen, and they will now have to make good on utopian CHANGE is what everyone agrees played a part in results that have stood up to the Maoists electoral promises. upon. The electorate saw the NC- taken everyone by surprise. But organisationally was the UML. But Expectations are high for dramatic and immediate UML strategy of presenting hoary nothing would have been possible the bourgeoisification of the improvements. The trouble is there are no quick fixes to Nepal’s old faces (the indisputable vote- without the vast organisational erstwhile revolutionaries with economic woes. It’s clear we need jobs, jobs, jobs. But getters) as agents to create a ‘New strength the Maoists brought to their single-minded focus on employment generation needs investments which in turn Nepal’ as a farce, and threw them bear on the campaigning. The power at the centre ensured that requires political stability, the right economic climate and proper out wholesale. Barring a few organisation itself is the outcome the Maoists were able to pull the infrastructure. All this takes time. exceptions, the winners from the of years of patient mobilisation at rug from under their feet, and they With great power comes great responsibility. Maoist ‘old parties’ are new and ideologue Baburam Bhattarai is making the grassroots that touched all did not even notice. One instance the right noises (see: interview p6). sections of society, whether it be stands out clearly: in the early Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal went the dancer in a Kathmandu months of 2001, just as the out of his way to reassure business at restaurant or a peasant from a Maoists were beginning to move the FNCCI on Wednesday that he is hamlet in deep Rolpa. eastward into UML strongholds, actually a closet capitalist. He wants to Anyone who has ventured all the energy of the UML party launch a program for rapid economic into rural Nepal in recent years machinery was devoted to the growth. But how are they going to knows very well that for many of ultimately futile rallies against convince Nepali businessmen that they these communities the first Girija Prasad Koirala and the shouldn’t be investing in real estate in political party to reach out to Lauda Air scandal. The Maoist India, but creating jobs at home? them was the Maoists. Not just in organisings were further Dahal also said he doesn’t want to go at it alone and asked for the remote Khotang or Humla, but unimpeded after the king opened cooperation of other parties. He is right. even for those lying just on the a second front against the parties The Maoist government is going to face periphery of urban Kathmandu. A in 2002 and their sole focus of difficulties from day one, but this is not friend who had gone to southern attention became the palace. the time to gloat about it or exploit Lalitpur on election day was Thus, to declaim against the political capital out of it. We’re all in it amazed to learn that the only Maoists for what happened is together now. parliamentary candidate ever to pretty meaningless. The Maoists The parties will be tempted to use have sought their votes in person themselves had not been able to the economy as a battering ram to get was Barsha Man Pun, and thus it fully gauge the extent of goodwill back at the Maoists. That will be the old was no surprise to her that a they had created over time. And way of doing things in Old Nepal. In Magar from the far-west could win come election day, the party with New Nepal, let’s build a political consensus on poverty. from a constituency dominated by the most extensive organisation For too long our economy has been Bahuns, Chhetris and Newars. won. Charges of rigging and held hostage by politics. The time to The Maoist ascent to power intimidation sound rather hollow start changing that is now. will change politics in ways that when it comes from past masters cannot be foreseen at present, but at the game, namely, the NC and there is no doubt that they have the UML. EDWIN KOO

LLL ETTERS

ELECTION COVERAGE media such as yourselves (sorry to say constitutional assembly, and the MJF’s INK SUPPLY Despite your political differences with so). For the last 10 years our information movement in the Tarai for the rights of While I always enjoy reading the Ass’s the Maoists, I appreciate what you systems were centered Madhesi people. I think comments on the back of the Nepali have tried to convey in your special on the capital and did these two parties have Times and appreciate the satirical take election coverage not gauge the real done more good than on local developments, I do wish to point (www.nepalitimes.com). The poll opinion of people any other in recent out one factual error in this week’s piece results indeed represent the desire of around the rest of the years, so let’s give ‘Donkey voted for Duck’ (Backside, the common people to do away with the country. The surprise at them a chance now. #395). It was Australia, not Korea, which old faces who robbed them for so many the Maoists’ victory is Prasanna Adhikari, provided the indelible ink. When we years of basic necessities like water, emblematic of this. Can email signed up with the Election Commission electricity and security. I honestly hope we hope our big to provide the ink, I had not realised what Prachanda will get the message that journalists will be TRUTH AND a complicated process it would be to people want real change this time. grounded in reality from RECONCILIATION arrange supply, but that is another story. Shroma T, email now on? I honestly believe that Graeme Lade, Chanakya, email after the war both Australian Ambassador ‘Lost time’ by Kanak Mani Dixit sides have the right (#395) was one of the most beautiful We need to be very and the duty to give pieces of writing that I’ve read in pragmatic if we really their respective CORRECTION Nepali Times, and it contains no want to make good media versions of what happened in a Truth and In ‘Sticking it out’ (#394), the JTMM-J, not the political prejudice, but only forward contributions in this time of our history. Reconciliation Commission (‘Voting for Maoists,torched industralist vision and unbiased analysis. Let’s not be biased and try to understand reconciliation and justice’, #395). This is Rajeev Kumar Beriwal’s plywood However, when considering whose the Nepali people’s strong desire for crucial for the stability of a country. So, I factory. time has been lost (which is basically change, which it seems could not be met hope in the near future the political everyone’s) we remember that an authorities will show a real sense of Due to an editing error, the photo of by NC and UML. Why don’t we give new Pushpa Kamal Dahal, captioned ‘SOLDIER- important reason for this was the parties like the Maoists and MJF a responsibility in addressing this matter, STATESMAN’ (#395) was wrongly credited. It continued misinformation by the chance this time? They really deserve it so that nobody is unheard. was taken by Ekal Silwal. political elite, and petit bourgeois given the Maoists’ ten-year struggle for a Nirmal Ghimire, Spain NATION 18 - 24 APRIL 2008 #396 3 The survival of the weakest The war hasn’t ended, it has just begun

ushpa Kamal Dahal and Co Threats may have worked to driving Nepal’s crony capitalism. Ltd has run its political some extent, but the margin of The mandate is for change and P enterprise with ruthless votes garnered by the Maoists the revolutionaries will be efficiency. show the people were impressed. giving their supporters a raw deal, It identified the need for a This is a feat worthy of a and ultimately harm themselves, radical force to champion the post-graduate case study thesis if they begin to revel in the cause of the downtrodden and on campaign management. company of FNCCI bigwigs. The the marginalised. It designed the Planning an insurrection, dialogue Dahal package of services to incorporate executing a war, consolidating had with Kathmandu fat-cats and gains through the ballot box and Lalitpur moneybags on STATE OF THE STATE going into government with an Wednesday was perhaps C K Lal agenda of its own, however, are necessary, but there should be all parts of the political deeper conversations with the preparation. In Marxist-Maoist rural destitute and the urban poor. conflicting aspirations of ethnic ideology, political power is Food, clothing, shelter, health autonomy and integrative merely the means, the end is and education, the ‘adharbhoot nationalism, opposition to to ensure complete abasyakta’ that King Birendra’s special relationship with India redistribution of resources. whiz-kids had identified in mid- and the ambition of gaining its That’s something the Rolpali seventies, remain the basic needs of most Nepalis. Go for economic growth by all means, but ensure the survival of the marginalised. Our experience with food-for- work to bail out vulnerable groups has been notable. Dahal can transform himself from a temporary Gandhi to a permanent one. He must help women earn, provide shelter for the urban poor and ensure affordable education and health care. The Maoists can be market- savvy, but the need to reorient failed neo-liberal policies of the past is the only way they can make their mark and help Nepal break the vicious circle of poverty, EDWIN KOO instability, corruption, moral support for their political agenda, Revolutionaries have now bankruptcy, helplessness and virulent anti-monarchism but publicly disavowed. In their poverty. The fear of capital flight, courting of diehard royalists. To manifesto, Dahal and Co talk tumbling share prices, escalating the other parties, the Maoists about reducing the ill-effects of petroleum import made an offer of settlement that liberalism, adopting public- bill or glut in lending is best left none of them could rationally private partnership, attracting to professionals at the Nepal refuse: heads I lose and tails you foreign investment and limiting Rastra Bank. The incoming finance win. the role of government to that of minister should concentrate on In run-up to elections, the facilitating growth. rising food Maoist propaganda machinery The vocabulary sounds prices and the necessities of the was way ahead of all others in familiar. These are the same poor. With the survival of the seeding dissent in opposition medicines the World Bank and weakest ensured, the fittest will camps and synchronising the IMF have been prescribing for be better equipped to look after strong-arm tactics of YCL economic growth and its their own interests. hooligans. Those who say that trickle-down effects. What hasn’t Mr Dahal, Chairman of the Maoist victory at the polls was worked under the NC or UML in Board, now it’s your turn. The surprising are not being fair to the past is unlikely to do the war hasn’t ended, it has just the hard work the Maoists put in. trick just because ex-rebels are begun. 4 18 - 24 APRIL 2008 #396

“It is a concern that a large percentage of our youth are working overseas. We need peace and security to encourage them to Business reax come back. Also, as young entrepreneurs, we are disappointed with the lack of “The Maoists are a new party with various things. While fulfilling their promises to youth participation within various new thinking, I think we should them, I hope that the interest of industrialists will sectors. When we talk about young give them a chance to lead us into a not be forgotten. Development cannot be leaders in the government, we are talking new direction. Now that they have a compromised, but I am positive that they will be about 60-year-olds. I am quite relieved mandate, it makes a climate for them able to achieve it.” that the new leadership has quite a good to deliver results on the issues they Vishnu K Agarwal, Chief Executive of number of young people, but I would like to see more to be have raised like social inclusion and Morang Auto Works, Managing Director of done to assist this demographic.” distribution of wealth. I believe they United Finance can bring peace to the industrial Saurabh Jyoti, Director of Jyoti Group and sector, due to their strong links with “Law and order has been our President of Nepalese Young the trade unions. If the Maoists work on the issues they biggest problem. Now that Entrepreneurs’ Forum have raised, we in the private sector will give them our the Maoists will become the support. The only thing I am afraid of is the attitude and law makers themselves, they “I welcome the result wholeheartedly. behaviour of their cadres. They will have to do something will see to it that their own The business sector can’t wait to see the about it or the loss of investments will continue.” unions obey the rules. I New Nepal that the Maoists have Rajendra K Khetan, Vice-Chairman of hope the international initiated. Businessmen in the country Khetan Group community will not take the have been living under threats and Maoist’s victory as a extortion. I hope the new leadership will “It is part of the Maoist agenda to diplomatic failure. Nepal is avoid the defects of previous government develop the country. I think they very dependent on international assistance for and draw new plans. But I fear that the will do what they can to ensure development. We cannot afford to compromise our Maoists will neglect the interests of peace, a very important foundation friendly relations with them, especially India, our business owners. To develop the for growth in the private sector. biggest trading partner. I hope Prachanda, when he economy, unions and industrialists have to work together. Apart from the unions, I don’t assumes power, will assure the Indian government Strikes might work when they were the opposition, but now expect to see a major change in that he will give no support to the communists in that they are the leaders of the country, they should change economic policy any time soon. The India.” their approach.” unions are the pillars of their Shekhar Golchha, Director of HB Rajbhandary, Executive Chairman of Nepal Dairy victory. They have promised them Golchha Organisation Interviews conducted by Sheere Ng BUSINESS 18 - 24 APRIL 2008 #396 5

domestic and foreign investment.

NTB in China The challenge will be how to put

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○ these into practice. The Nepal Tourism Board along with Saathi Travel and Tours, Maonomics The other worry for the Nepal Dream, My Nepal, Asian Holidays, C+K Travel and China business community and citizens Southern Airlines participated in the three-day Guangzhou ome habitués of the gesture of their seriousness may in general is the issues of right to International Travel Fair held in Guangzhou from 4-6 April. Over Kathmandu cocktail be to vacate the government and property and ownership. The 5,000 people visited the stand over the three-day period, a record circuit have had a sudden private buildings that they are government has to seriously state for NTB and Nepal in China. S change of heart and are trying to using. its intention to keep these rights find socialite Maoists who they The business community is intact. On the other hand, laws

Summer players can strike up a conversation with. especially worried about the such as inheritance and land laws ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○ But the Beed is still getting calls attitude of workers who have could well be reformed. If John Players has launched their range of men’s wear for the from people full of dread at the either formed Maoist-affiliated inheritance was heavily taxed it summer-autumn season. The collection offers a range of formal and casual shirts, t-shirts, and formal and casual trousers. The prospect of the new People’s unions or been forced to align might give people a stronger new range is available at outlets at the Bluebird Mall, United with them. The Maoist leadership incentive to be productive World Trade Centre and retail outlets across the country. will have a hard time convincing themselves rather than waiting for ECONOMIC SENSE the more hardcore factions windfalls from their family. If Artha Beed amongst workers that the land records were maintained

Gaming challenge goalposts have now changed and ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○ electronically then the government Nokia has launched the worldwide Mobile Games Innovation labour reforms are necessary. If would actually know how much Challenge. Sponsored by Nokia Publishing, the Challenge invites Republic of Nepal. An important the new government does not put land an individual owns. developers to submit mobile gaming concepts to help drive mobile qualification needed to be part of into action commitments made The last important challenge gaming, relying on the features of N-Gage compatible devices, and the Kathmandu elite is to be able by the leadership on bringing for the new government will be Java- or Symbian-based Series 40 or S60 devices. The three to take a negative view on almost about reforms in the labour sector, fiscal balance. If the Maoists are most innovative game concepts will be offered pre-production any situation. Nepal will not see any increase in really able to dole out all the contracts and •40,000 for first, the second •20,000, and the third This Beed would like to give investment. goodies promised in their •10,000 to enable the participant to further develop the concept. the Maoists the benefit of the Deadline for submission is 20 August. Further information on http:/ /developer.n-gage.com/innovation. doubt. The important thing is now to help them in ensuring How will the Maoists turn that peace is sustainable and

Gorkha in Europe economic development begins at their economic policies

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Gorkha Beer will now be available in Europe. last. There are many matters that into action? Pradhan Brother SPRL is importing Gorkha Beer, were put aside until after the CA the flagship brand of Gorkha Brewery, to Belgium elections. Now the elections have A section of the business manifesto like free education, and through its network to France, Germany and the happened, there can be no more community is also elated as a subsidised food supplies, and Netherlands. Gorkha Beer is also available in excuses for not addressing the majority-led government would millions of new jobs, this will Japan, Hong Kong and Macau. economy seriously and with ensure there are fewer people to cost money. With global increase purpose. keep sweet and fewer palms to in food prices and the market NEW PRODUCTS The key challenge for the grease. The Beed just hopes that crisis suddenly hitting economies Maoist-led government will be to we will not repeat the story of hard, it will be difficult to ensure convert their policies into action. West Bengal in the late seventies that a large fiscal deficit from all FLASHY DRIVE: LaCie launched the latest model of a hard disk, designed by Neil They will have to start giving a and a good part of eighties where the state spending does not lead to Poulton, which comes with USB 2.0, eSATA tangible meaning to phrases like a Left Front government with inflation. Large price hikes would and Firewire 400, in capacities of 500GB, ‘pursuing transitional economic several coalition partners, lead to street protests and an 750GB and 1TB. LaCie products are policies’. With the Maoists, there embarked on protecting a section opportunity for opposition to the marketed by CAS Trading has always been a big gap between of the business in the name of government, and the Maoists House. their policies and their actual protecting ‘national capitalism’. know what that means better than actions on the ground. While This attitude of the then West anyone else. CONSTRUCTION: Terex- they have said their kangaroo Bengal government threw the Yes, the mandate has been vectra’s latest offering the 4WD courts were no longer operating, state out of the national given for building a New Nepal Backhoe Loader TX760. This their party cadres out in the development map and even after and everyone wants it to be better new loader comes with Carraro villages have not stopped issuing nearly thirty years, they are still than the one we have been living axles and transmission, dual flow hydraulic pump, 4WD option and upto 4500 hours of warranty. rough justice. Now that they will busy fixing those mistakes. The in. Let’s hope our hopes are not It is now available at a promotional price in Nepal. be leading the government, they CPN (Maoist) manifesto does lay dashed again. need to shun their parallel down the strategies they would government. Perhaps, the first like to pursue for promoting www.arthabeed.com

Further reading on

Nepali Times

Elections eSpecial www.nepalitimes.com

An interview with Baburam Bhattarai (“Radical democrat”: http://www.nepalitimes.com.np/ election/news.php?id=32)

A roundup of the international media’s coverage of the election (What the world is saying: http://www.nepalitimes.com.np/ election/news.php?id=21)

An overview of the Nepali blogosphere (The cyberreaction: http://www.nepalitimes.com.np/ election/news.php?id=33)

Nepalitimes is now available anytime, anywhere 6 INTERVIEW 18 - 24 APRIL 2008 #396 “The investment climate will improve”

Baburam Bhattarai pointed to a bouquet in his revolution. It’s not just an armed struggle that is a that once there is political stability, the investment climate study and said: “People who never looked at us revolution. Revolution means a radical rapid change in the will be even better. before are coming here to give me flowers.” socio-economic structure, that can happen through violent We want to fully assure international investors already Flanked by portraits of Marx, Lenin, Stalin and or non-violent means. At some point in a revolution, in Nepal that we welcome them here, and we will work to Mao, the chief ideologue of the Maoists spoke to violent means need to be adopted. If we hadn’t waged the make the investment climate even better than it is now. Just Nepali Times on Tuesday about sleepless nights, People’s War to weaken the state and empower the masses, watch, the labour-mangement climate will improve in our his party’s economic agenda and about whether the conditions would not have been created for the time in office. What happened in the past two years with he’d been offered the prime ministership. elections alone to achieve the goal. the unions was during a transition phase, but the business So, it’s not true that we abandoned the bullet to come sector also hasn’t identified the other factors that are Nepali Times: How does it feel to arrive here after to the ballot. We used both the bullet and the ballot in this causing them losses. the long journey from a village in Gorkha? revolution. Nepal’s revolution has been completed in this Baburam Bhattarai: There is a deep sense of unique manner. How about the hydropower deals that have responsibility, and that comes from the fact that I was born already been agreed on? in an ordinary village family, my mother can’t read or When are you going to turn your attention to the The ones that have been signed needn’t have been done in a write, my father is a farmer. I used to get very emotional economy? hush-hush manner, after all we were in an interim period back when I saw the poverty, discrimination and Our goal is economic development. For an economic and we could have agreed on it collectively. But we disparities all around me in the village. And what was I revolution to succeed, we have to complete this political understand that big hydro projects are not possible without going to do about it, those feelings did touch me at an revolution by writing a new constitution. foreign investment. The deals could have been negotiated in early age. There is of course the need to provide immediate a more open manner. If there have been major irregularities, Now we have to try to resolve issues of national relief. There are the victims of the war, those affected by we need to investigate them, correct the decision-making importance, there are enormous aspirations, there is lots to inflation, corruption those things needs to be addressed process but we don’t want to discourage investors by do but we have very little time and resources. It makes me urgently. But the foundations also need to be laid for shutting down projects. somewhat anxious, thinking about whether we can do it or structural changes required for an economic transformation. not. There are sleepless nights. Unless you pay attention to the structural reforms in the The time has come to deliver on the promises. But luckily we have a lot of experience, we engaged in economy, superficial interventions won’t help. Our There are very high expectations. open politics, then we went underground for ten years economic agenda is to improve agricultural productivity, That is true, but the bigger challenge is to maintain national then we engaged in an armed struggle. I have always been create jobs through tourism and hydropower, foster the unity. Let’s have political competition, but for the next 10- very committed and that is why I think we can handle the service industries in IT and education, and infrastructure. 15 years let’s cooperate, let’s agree on a common minimum challenges. program. That will bring political stability, allow us to Your election manifesto also talks about land make optimum use of our domestic resources and bring in When the first results started coming in, weren’t reform. What kind of land reform are you talking investment and make progress in the elimination of you surprised? about? absolute poverty. If we can achieve these things in a fairly Not so much. You are all in the media, you do political The simple universal principle of land-reform is land to short timeframe, it will give the people patience and lay the analysis, I have the feeling you may have been a bit out of the tiller. In mountains, the owners are also tillers but in groundwork for further development. touch with the reality in the countryside. The ground had the tarai there is a lot of absentee landlordism and shifted in the past 10 years of conflict. We were convinced productivity is low. There has to be redistribution and Your own subject is urban planning. How are you the people wanted change, and we knew they would let us modernisation of the methods of cultivation. When we say going to control this unplanned centralised growth lead them. We knew we’d be the largest party, but we we want land reform and an end to feudalism we don’t in Kathmandu? didn’t know exactly how many seats we would win. mean we want to end private ownership. Collectivisation, You see on this map the various federal units, we need to Everyone got it wrong. We have been meeting members socialisation and nationalisation is not our current agenda. spread out the economic activity so jobs are available of the diplomatic community this past week, and they All we mean to say is that for a weak and backward outside Kathmandu. The fast track highway (to Hetauda) have told us that there was intelligence failure. The really economy like ours the state must play a facilitating and will shift the population out, and we have to plan the oppressed groups like the Tamangs and Tharus voted for regulatory role. The state has to protect the domestic private growth of Kathmandu properly with zoning and the outer us in large numbers. In the Tamang belt we have won 24 of sector and the free market. ring road. No where in the world is urban growth as the 27 seats and in the Tharuwan, of the 22 seats we have unplanned as it is here. won 20. Of the 24 women who have won, 20 are Maoists. Yet, the business community is not yet comfortable But even the traditionally-vacillating urban middle class, with the Maoist win mainly because of their Have you been offered the prime ministership? the 20-30 percent, who make up their minds at the last experience over the past two years. (Laughs) Can’t say now. As we say, it is everyone according moment came over to our side. We would like to assure everyone that once the Maoists to their need and their capacity. Because of my interest in come (into government) the investment climate will be development planning, maybe my work will be in that Was the price the Nepali people had to pay in even more favourable. There shouldn’t be any unnecessary field. terms of lives lost and destruction in the misunderstanding about that. The rumours in the press revolution worth all this? about our intention are wrong, there are reports of capital Full transcript on www.nepalitimes.com and podcasts We are still in a revolution. The elections were part of our flight, but this shouldn’t happen. And the other aspect is excerpts of the audio in Nepali on www.himalkhabar.com

SAM KANG LI From revolution to crisis management In government, the Maoists will face serious economic challenges

DEWAN RAI While prices of basic daily necessities jobs for the 500,000 young people who enter Bhattarai says his party has listed are rising, incomes remain low. The Nepal the labour force every year. The country is priority areas: agro-industries to keep Rastra Bank record for January-February suffering from acute stagflation as the people in farms, tourism, hydropower and he Maoists won the election with the this year shows the price of grains and people’s purchasing power is wiped out by infrastructure development for job- slogan “new ideology and new cereal products, which in total absorbs inflation. The US dollar exchange rate has creation and development of the service T leadership for a new Nepal”. They 18 percent of public expenditure, has decreased and Indian rupee reserves need sector. will have their plate full delivering that. increased by 13.5 percent in the last year. for imports are depleted. Although two-thirds of the country’s Immediately after taking office, the The price of food commodities almost The Maoists have promised in their population depends on near-subsistence Maoist government will have to deal with an doubled in the past three months. manifesto to raise the per capita income agriculture, production grew at only urgent food and fuel crisis. As we go into the “The first task for the new government from $270 to $3,000 in the next 10 years. 1.7 percent last year. Growth in the non- dry season, grain stockpiles are seriously will be to address poverty,” says economist But many see that as utopian, as the agricultural sector was 2.8 percent in depleted and there has been a dramatic rise Raghab Dhoj Pant of the Institute for Social Maoists will be too preoccupied with 2005-06, up from 2.1 percent in 2004-05. in food prices (‘Not just supply and Development (IfSD), “we need to create economic crisis management. Despite misgivings from business demand’, #394). jobs in fast forward.” Nepal’s economy is Even Maoist ideologue Baburam (see interviews alongside) Bhattarai Gas lines have started again. There are propped up by remittances from workers Bhattarai admits it will be tough. He told insists the investment climate, labour- shortages everywhere and latest one is of abroad, amounting to 20 percent of GDP. Nepali Times in an interview: “It makes me management situation will improve once cement, as India bans the export of klinker Nepal will need at least seven percent somewhat anxious, thinking about whether the Maoists are in government. “The and cement. Nepal imports 80 percent of its annual GDP growth to keep up with we can do it or not. There are sleepless country’s economy will take off once there cement and all its petroleum from India. population growth and the need to create nights.” is political stability,” he says. z 18 - 24 APRIL 2008 #396 7 Shock and awe How did we get it so wrong, and what now?

t is clear now that the Maoists will REFLECTED GLORY: results trickled in. From a policy high of emerge as the biggest party in the Prime Minister Koirala seeing successful elections on the evening I constituent assembly. If more people after voting last of 10 April, New Delhi was depressed the have voted for the party in PR than in the Thursday in Biratnagar. next day. Diplomats are in a tizzy, they first past the post system, they might even have to answer difficult questions to their inch close to a simple majority, though political leadership about getting it wrong, that magic 302 figure looks a bit distant besides brain storming about what to do right now. next. There was a danger that some in Delhi The results are a wake-up call to us in may have been tempted to subvert the the Kathmandu media. Only very few result, try to stitch a NC-UML-Madhesi sensed the people’s desperate yearning for forces alliance to keep the Maoists out. But change, the Maoist base among the young better sense seems to have prevailed. The and marginalised. To be fair, this has taken MEA has been in damage control mode, and even the Maoists by surprise. welcomed the results. Policy-makers know How did all of us get it so wrong? For the dangers inherent in ganging up against one, there hadn’t been elections for nine the former rebels. This school would like years, traditional voting patterns had to stay the course, and believes there are changed. An armed rebellion, a enough balancing factors to prevent generational change, left politics, ethnic Maoists from rushing through their agenda.

consciousness, and changing aspirations SAM KANG LI The Maoists have been largely sober in had complicated easy predictions. victory. The cadre has not gone wild, and Kathmandu’s opinion-formers have been the most committed cadre which has been UML. The Koirala dynasty has suffered a the leadership has made the right noises shown to be insular and disconnected hard at work. serious set-back. Two men who have reaching out to everyone, including from the rest of the country. This must Three days before the polls, Hisila helped get the peace process this far: acknowledging Koirala’s role in the peace force us to re-examine some of our basic Yami, told Nepali Times: “We have people Krishna Prasad Sitaula and Shekhar process. Baburam Bhattarai, possibly in the assumptions about political changes over everywhere. There is an invisible network Koirala. running for prime ministership, has said the past few years, and take what the that is active now.” The Maoists succeeded The UML, particularly its top decisions will be made in consultation Maoists say more seriously. in selling themselves as the principal leadership, has been routed. The party with all other forces. The Maoists managed to defy agents of change, raising issues of knows it has to engage in immediate In victory, the Maoists now need to be predictions partly because of pre-electoral inclusion, federalism and land introspection to prevent its demoralised responsible, take the lead on a path to a intimidation and violence, and a degree of reform most effectively. Their support low-level cadre from defecting to the New Nepal in a non-violent manner, electoral malpractice on 10 April itself. among the country’s marginalised and poor Maoists, and to ensure that the Maoists do respecting fundamental democratic But that doesn’t help explain the result. is no longer in doubt. not succeed in monopolising the entire left freedoms, and recognising regional and The Maoists ran a parallel state for ten This was also an anti-incumbency vote space. global realities. z years, they had the best organisation, and against the establishmentarian NC and the India was in panic mode when the Prashant Jha “Voting for the Maoists was like an well-reasoned law and order will be involuntary action. I had not planned to priorities.” vote for them. I have always supported the - Bamshi Dahal, 33, UML, but when I got to the booth, I just policeman, Bhairawa couldn’t vote for them anymore. Without even thinking about what I was doing, at “I voted for the Maoists in my home town the last moment, I voted for the Maoists in of Rautahat. Although the Maoists had beat both the ballots. Maybe it was because I me once for not giving them money, the want to give them a chance to prove JTMM-J came to my house and looted me, themselves, like the UML and the NC had.” they beat my entire family and took - Gautam Poudel, 37, everything I owned. I voted for the Maoists teacher, Kathmandu because only they can get rid of groups like the JTMM. They’re militants and you can’t “I’m frustrated with the results as I’ve seen trust weaklings like the NC and the UML to the Maoists committing terror around the protect you. Only the Maoists are capable.” villages. I fear a monopoly in the - Tulsiram Rai, 40, government and an extreme left situation farmer, Rautahat where they’ll give priority to their own ideology. Let’s hope these don’t happen.” “I want to see a democratic party system - Duniya Shrestha, 29, activist, and a state system, so central power from Bhairawa Kathmandu gets spread.” - Bishnu Chuadhari, 27, “The Nepali election result is like the game “I did not vote for the Maoists and I will caretaker, Bhairawa of bag chaal. If you let the tiger go it will never vote for them. They have killed and eat all the goats, but if the goats come looted so many people, including people “The only party that came canvassing to my together and put the tiger in a cage, there’s in my village in Ghandruk. I will never house was the Maoists. No other party no danger from it anymore.” support a party that has bought its way to bothered. The candidate was polite and he - Indra Bahadur Tamang, power through fear and intimidation. I spoke to me well. He seemed like a good unemployed, 44, Itahari refuse to bow down to them. Everyone else candidate and I saw the enthusiasm with might be afraid but I am not. They came to which they were campaigning. I thought if ““The Maoists have given so much blood collect donations from my shop once but I they’re so excited then they should be just so that we can conduct constituent did not even give them one paisa. They given a chance.” assembly elections, for our freedom. Why marked down my name and said there - Laxmi Adhikari, 29, wouldn’t I vote for them?” would be ‘consequences’ but nothing housewife, Lalitpur - Narayan Prasad Kafle, retired, happened. I am sure they will never 57, Dhading renounce such behaviour even if they’re in “I was impressed with the Maoists’ government.” aggressive style of campaigning. It showed “Peace must be sorted out, especially in the - Dhak Gurung, 43, shopkeeper, that at least they’re serious about hilly regions. Security, that’s the number Ghandruk something. And like everyone else, I want a one factor.” change. I don’t want to see the same old - Manot Kumar Sharma, “The first impression I had of the Maoists Girija and Madhab Nepal in power again. 24, Lumbini was good - they prevented alcohol from Maybe Prachanda will be different.” being sold and gambling was prohibited in - Kushal Giri, 20, “There must be plurialism as well as a their areas. Since they haven’t student, Lalitpur multi-party system. Things in the country disappointed me - I felt it was good to vote can’t be changed overnight, but the Maoists for them.” “I’m not confident that the Maoists can must alter their behavior, be a legitimate - Shiva Regmi, driver, rule as they have lesser knowledge on political force and not revive intimidation. 43, Naubise government and foreign policy. But first They must respect the rule of law.” things first, the Nepali people want peace.” - Dinesh Tripathi, 40, “I fear integration in the police force where - B. P. Basyal, 51, lawyer, Rupendehi it’ll wipe out neutrality. So I hope neutral, civil contractor, Bhairawa

CA Scorecard

FIRST PAST THE POST CPN-M - 48.3% NC - 13.75% UML - 12.9% MJF - 10% Others - 15.5%

PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION CPN-M - 32.27% NC - 21.84% UML - 21.19% Others - 18.39% MJF - 3.75% RPP - 2.57%

As of 4PM, 17 April

GRAPHIC: BILASH RAI BILASH GRAPHIC:

As of 4PM, 17 April 17 4PM, of As

the Post ballot by constituency by ballot Post the

Nationwide results of the First Past First the of results Nationwide

Mallika Aryal, Srishti Adhikri, Wong Shu Yun Shu Wong Adhikri, Srishti Aryal, Mallika businessman, Nepalganj businessman, student, Bhairawa student,

Based on interviews by Pranaya SJB Rana, SJB Pranaya by interviews on Based - Binod Kashyap, 35, Kashyap, Binod - - Satyendra Tripathi, 24, Tripathi, Satyendra -

am hopeful that now there will be peace.” be will there now that hopeful am businesses with them.” with businesses

for MJF in PR. The new party has won, I won, has party new The PR. in MJF for that Nepal is genuine about carrying out carrying about genuine is Nepal that

I voted for the Maoists in the FPTP and FPTP the in Maoists the for voted I new government must be able to convince to able be must government new

this time I wanted to choose a new party. new a choose to wanted I time this India might ban some goods to Nepal. The Nepal. to goods some ban might India

“I have always been a NC supporter. But supporter. NC a been always have “I “Already there are threats going around that around going threats are there “Already

housewife, Nepalganj housewife, teacher, Kapilbastu teacher,

- Saraswati Malla, 32, Malla, Saraswati - - Goma Kunwar, 24, Kunwar, Goma -

peacefully.” Maoists.”

and we will get to earn our living our earn to get will we and These will be huge challenges for the for challenges huge be will These

jungle. We are hoping there will be peace be will there hoping are We jungle. “Abandon weapons and promote peace. promote and weapons “Abandon

did not want the Maoists to go back to the to back go to Maoists the want not did

see what they’ll do. We voted because we because voted We do. they’ll what see farmer, 53, Dhulikhel 53, farmer,

chance we will make a new Nepal.” Let’s Nepal.” new a make will we chance - Raj Gopal Shrestha, Gopal Raj -

Hotel owner, Bhairawa owner, Hotel The Maoists came and said, “Give us a us “Give said, and came Maoists The right direction.” right

- Nurddim Ahamat, 38 Ahamat, Nurddim - but this time we voted for the Maoists. the for voted we time this but driver is capable the bus will go in the in go will bus the capable is driver

they must fulfil them.” fulfil must they “My family has always voted for the UML the for voted always has family “My level are educated and I believe if the if believe I and educated are level

“They have sold dreams to the poor. Now poor. the to dreams sold have “They be different. The Maoist leaders at the top the at leaders Maoist The different. be

retired, 84, Dhulikhel 84, retired, rule of law. I am hoping the Maoists will Maoists the hoping am I law. of rule

- Dilip Bhattarai, 65, Bhairawa 65, Bhattarai, Dilip - - Mohan Bahadur Thapa, Bahadur Mohan - the previous parties have implemented the implemented have parties previous the

civilian to terrorise people.” terrorise to civilian Maoists go back to the jungle.” the to back go Maoists “I voted for the Maoists because none of none because Maoists the for voted “I

parallel commando group in the form of form the in group commando parallel nation and the nation can’t be saved if the if saved be can’t nation the and nation

aggressive. I fear they will be used as a as used be will they fear I aggressive. important thing is that they save the save they that is thing important cybercafé owner, Lalitpur owner, cybercafé

YCL, otherwise they will be more be will they otherwise YCL, direction. Let’s see what they will do. The do. will they what see Let’s direction. - Krishna Subedi, 44, Subedi, Krishna -

Maoists to change. Address the issue of the of issue the Address change. to Maoists is time the youth led the country in a new a in country the led youth the time is I’ll vote for them again.” them for vote I’ll

“International politics will compel the compel will politics “International Even the king didn’t do anything. Now it Now anything. do didn’t king the Even water and electricity. If they manage that, manage they If electricity. and water

seen what the other parties have done. have parties other the what seen have voted for them, let’s see if we get we if see let’s them, for voted have

Nepalganj chance. Now it’s the Maoists’ turn. I have I turn. Maoists’ the it’s Now chance. say they will get things done. Now that we that Now done. things get will they say

- Prabeshraj Joshi, 26, student, 26, Joshi, Prabeshraj - “I believe everyone should get their own their get should everyone believe “I Maoists say they’re anti-corruption. They anti-corruption. they’re say Maoists

employment in the country.” the in employment even supply water to my house. The house. my to water supply even

am hopeful there will be peace and peace be will there hopeful am teacher, Bhairawa teacher, I don’t want to vote for a party that can’t that party a for vote to want don’t I

Maoists change the way things are done, I done, are things way the change Maoists - Laxmi Khanal, 22, Khanal, Laxmi - still don’t have proper electricity or water. or electricity proper have don’t still

felt they would do something good. If the If good. something do would they felt “ alleviation.” bribes. Our roads remain broken and we and broken remain roads Our bribes.

election manifesto of the Maoists and also and Maoists the of manifesto election occur. Also, employment and poverty and employment Also, occur. collecting money for themselves and taking and themselves for money collecting

know who I would vote for. I liked the liked I for. vote would I who know don’t need these petty obstructions to obstructions petty these need don’t good. All they were concerned about was about concerned were they All good.

interested in politics so I didn’t really didn’t I so politics in interested to close and the blocking of roads. We roads. of blocking the and close to they failed me. They didn’t do anything do didn’t They me. failed they

“I am a first time voter. I was not really not was I voter. time first a am “I “Do away with conflicts that cause shops cause that conflicts with away “Do “I was a Congress supporter before. But before. supporter Congress a was “I 10 18 - 24 APRIL 2008 #396 Another Remembering Maoland BEIJING—Here in the land of Mao, the Great Helmsman who changed the fate and face of China has been dead for more than 30 years and his body lies in a mausoleum at Tiananmen Square as proof. Yet, very few Chinese know that Mao’s disciples are still waging revolutions in his name in Nepal and some parts of India. The few here who have heard that there was an election in Nepal are the ones who watch CCTV 9 International which has covered the polls. But even they don’t know that the winning party is known as Maoists. It’s an indication of how far China has distanced itself from Mao that not many people think about their great leader, and know even less about Maoism elsewhere in the world. NEPALIPAN Even Chinese intellectuals Aruna Uprety are slightly puzzled about why a Nepali party had to name itself after Mao Zedong. “Don’t you have any leaders of your own that you could have named the party after?” asked one over dinner the other day. My joke with friends here is: “We exported Bhrikuti and Arniko to you, and imported Mao.” But some Chinese have never heard of Bhrikuti, the Nepali princess married to a Tibetan king or Arniko, the master builder from Kathmandu Valley who is supposed to have brought the architecture of the pagoda (called dagoba here) to China. China has been transformed in the last 30 years with Dengonomics and from an underdeveloped country it has become the fastest growing economy in the world and still growing. It does not mean that China doesn’t have problems like the growing gap in incomes, social issues. But the government seems to be well aware of them and has the resources and the commitment to address them. Not many Chinese are aware of the Maoist victory in Nepal China is turning to health issues like HIV and smoking which is a major health hazard because 350 million Chinese smoke. Keeping in mind the Beijing Olympics the government is banning smoking in public places. China is also opening up and there are debates about the cultural revolution. An artist who was labeled counter-revolutionary and not allowed to paint during the 1960s is now a celebrity. Even in the past ten years, there has been a sea change in Chinese self-confidence. In 1995, very few would speak to us and it wasn’t just a language problem. Today, the Chinese are open and confident and many speak English. Literacy rates are up, there is MALLIKA ARYAL in DHADING won for the Maoists in Dhading-3 chairman when the Maoists took more exposure. arrives at Dharke around midday. him away from his house in What is still the same is the lack of knowledge about the rest of ince early morning Maoist Asia, especially Nepal. Not only do people here not know about the He is followed by a truckload of Dasain 2002. They shot him dead Nepali Maoists, they don’t even know that Nepal is a neighbouring party representatives and supporters chanting victory nearby. Radha and Shrisha are country. Some who have been to India have heard about Nepal and S locals have been painting slogans. His entourage moves fast stunned by Jamarkattel’s win and some think Qomolungma is on China’s border with India . hammer and sickles and putting as he stops to receive garlands the Maoists’ sweeping victory all If Nepal is to tap China’s huge market for investment and up welcome signs along the and talk to the locals. over Nepal. tourism, our economic diplomacy here has to pick up. No more Dhading stretch of the Prithbi In nearby Thakre, Radha “We don’t know what to should China just been seen as a geopolitical counterbalance to Highway. The women are Subedi and her daughter Shrisha think, have people forgiven the India, but the other locomotive that can pull the Nepali economy. The Nepal Embassy in Beijing has a website that is still called the readying vermillion and weaving (pictured) have just come back Maoists already for the years of ‘Royal Nepalese Embassy’. garlands. from the fields. Radha’s husband violence? Are families who have Just as Nepal is now getting more and more tourists and Salik Ram Jamarkattel who Navaraj Subedi was the UML VDC lost someone ready to forget what pilgrims from India, visitor arrivals from China could boom if there was just more knowledge here about Nepal. Who knows, the familiar name of Mao may be a good way to get Chinese tourists to visit Nepal. After the landslide

SRISHTI ADHIKARI in KABHRE

aving elected three Maoist candidates out of four constituencies, people in Kabhre have high hopes Hfrom the Maoists. The general perception is that now that they have won, they cannot shy away from the responsibility of a stable government. As Sumitra Pariyar, 20, has her checklist: “Now they should help the poor, bring jobs and control the price rise.” Women and the elderly who wouldn’t say which way they would vote before the elections, are now opening up. Junadebi, 50, echoed the views of many women when she said, “I voted for the Maoists this time, I don’t know how to read and write but I know if the Maoists win there won’t be violence.” Bikash Karki, 27, was injured in the crossfire during a clash between the army and Maoists in Kabhre Bhanjyang two years ago. He has given up his local dairy due to his weak leg and now runs a small shop. “I voted Maoists because I hope they will understand my suffering,” he told Nepali Times, “I don’t have any hard feelings against them, maybe they will arrange a job for me.” 18 - 24 APRIL 2008 #39611 not to forget Forum in

“Our entire village voted for the Maoists because they liked my Maostan Relatives of father,” says Ruku’s 19-year-old son, Rajiv. s the Maoists sweep the polls, do not forget the Madhes. The hills may have swung the balance in favour of the former the war dead Rajendra Pandey, UML rebels. But it was the plains which ensured that NC could not representative from Dhading-3 A come to catch up. who lost to Jamarkattel (25,075 to The Tarai results have revealed the potency of regional and terms with 14,580 votes) believes the YCL’s ethnic politics, and given birth to a true multi-party system. The terror tactics during the campaign verdict has also shown the tactical brilliance of the MJF and the Maoist brought about his defeat. From Maoists, and taught the NC and UML a lesson for taking the Madhesi the day the UML filed Street for granted. It has marginalised the armed groups for now, but victory nominations at the EC , UML opened fault-lines for future conflicts. cadre in Dhading started being The Madhes has voted for Madhesis. For the first time, threatened and assaulted, he says. Madhesis, across party lines, are finding proportional political “They would call them and representation and the consequent access to power and opportunities. This is true not only for the eastern tarai, but also say that if they canvassed for the Banke, Nawalparasi, Kapilbastu and Rupandehi. UML they would break their A historical injustice is being corrected in a democratic bones and make their wives framework. The Koiralas, Aryals, Acharyas, Amatyas, Nepals widows,” recalls Pandey. Many Dhunganas and Mallas fought party workers were beaten up in in Madhes constituencies and March. The UML campaigned TARAI EYE bit dust. At the same time, the where it could but the YCL Prashant Jha demographic mix means that always attacked the meetings and the results have been balanced. rallies in Dhading had to be The 33 percent Pahadis in the cancelled. Pandey’s entourage was Tarai also have their share of representation, largely from the attacked. “How can the result of Maoists and UML. As expected, the MJF did better than other Madhesi the election conducted in this counterparts. People identified the ‘Forum’ as having led the manner be legitimate?” asks Madhesi awakening during the past year. Better organisation, the Pandey. presence of established faces and experienced election But local journalist Ramesh manipulators, a strong Yadav base, and pockets of Tharu support Acharya says the key to the helped. Despite being discredited and isolated, facing physical Maoists’ success was their ability insecurity, and playing dangerous games with multiple power to penetrate even the most remote centres over the past year, Upendra Yadav has bounced back. parts of the district, ask people what their worries were and gain their trust. A historical injustice is “You could make the argument about intimidation if being corrected in a the Maoists had only won in remote areas, but they also won in democratic framework Kathmandu and Lalitpur, the SAM KANG LI people voted for change,” he says. He will displace Mahant Thakur at the helm of the Madhesi In Thakre, Shrisha and Radha movement. But the MJF’s politics has its dangers. It is the most they did?” asks Radha. It is still the night and took Ruku’s wonder what the government run militant and hard-line of the three Madhesi parties. Its politics over not clear why Navaraj Subedi was husband away five years ago. The by the Maoists is going to look the past year has almost exclusively been anti-Maoist. The Forum’s killed. Like hundreds of others family hasn’t heard from him like. “I don’t understand the huge funding and linkages are traced to conservatives in Nepal and killed by the Maoists all over since, and doesn’t know if he is Maoist ideology, because I have India. And many who have won on its ticket come from a royalist, Nepal, it could be personal dead or alive. only seen them as agents of criminal, feudal or rampantly corrupt past. Nepal’s Right has made a comeback through the MJF. grudge, they could have thought “I am so disappointed with the violence, but since they are in But the party also has enormous internal contradictions, and he was an informer, or it could NC and UML and the governments government I hope they doubts persist if it will last as a unit. The Maoists have won a large have been mistaken identity. they made. I went to the prime understand that they have been share of seats in the Tarai as well. The Pahadi vote has shifted to Ruku Acharya who used to be minister, to various home given a great responsibility and them from the UML. The Tharus in the west and Rajbanshis in the a staunch UML supporter, this ministers and nothing happened, Nepalis will throw them out too east have voted Maoist. Smart selection of candidates based on time she voted for the Maoists. the Maoists have said they will if they disappoint the people precise caste calculations has ensured them a win in even hardcore The army came in the middle of find out,” Ruku says. again.” Madhesi seats. The Maoists also maintained their base among Dalits and the landless. They succeeded in breaking the stranglehold of a few locals over chunks of votes in a village, and reached out directly to the ground. Matrika Yadav and Prabhu Sah will continue to fight “Help the poor, bring jobs and amongst themselves, but return as active players in Madhesi politics. control the price rise” Politics makes for strange bedfellows. There is back-channel effort underway to get the Maoists and the MJF to forget Lahan and Gaur and work together. Upendra has made conciliatory statements. Sections in the MJF are thrilled at the idea of joining the government, Nearby, the Humagain family (pictured) is busy and there may be a tactical alliance on certain issues in the tilling their terrace to sow maize after overnight rain. All constituent assembly. the women voted for the Maoists while their husbands But the Maoist-MJF relationship will be confrontational, with voted for other parties. Sakundol Humagain says, “The rivalry at Maoist candidates are locals. They are sons of farmers the top and competition for space on the ground. The Maoist like us and know the difficulties we face. Although government, prodded by a conservative bureaucracy, will not find it I didn’t vote for them I am happy the Maoists easy to include Madhesis in proportionate numbers in state won, we are hopeful that they will address our structures, Madhesi forces will be happy to pick the non- problems.” implementation of the ambiguously phrased eight-point agreement to Even traditional NC and UML voters cast their oppose the government. The Maoist support base among Tarai ballots for the Maoists. A once-devout NC supporter janjatis means it will stick to its proposed federal model, the MJF will insist on ‘samagra Madhes’. The Maoists will have to push for who did not wish to be named cites the incompetence of some land reform to deliver to its constituency, the MJF and other the government and the threat of violence as the reason Madhesi forces will become the vehicle for resistance and backlash. he voted Maoist this time. “I don’t want to live in fear. I There is still a danger of extremist politics making a comeback. don’t care what they do once they are in the government, Competitive populism will continue, with each force trying to be more if they don’t bother me I can live peacefully,” he added. radical than the other. The armed groups will keep quiet for a while, In the more remote parts of Kabhre, Tara Bahadur but may pounce as soon as they sense Madhesi parties are on the Pradhan witnessed YCL cadre urging the elderly to vote defensive. for the Maoists right inside the polling booth. In their moment of victory, the Maoists would do well to counter A week after elections, expectations here are possible identity chauvinism and militancy by reaching out to all very high. And most people says that although the Madhesi forces, and constantly engaging with them on common Maoists deserved to win, they must deliver on their issues. promises. KIRAN PANDAY 12 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 18 - 24 APRIL 2008 #396

Preconditions businesses and businessmen to ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ finance their campaigns. Big Narayan Wagle in Kantipur, businesses donated according to 13 April party size, large parties got upwards of Rs 50,000 while Prime Minister Koirala said before smaller ones got Rs 10-20,000. the elections that the Businessmen say that the Maoists government’s composition collected the most amount of should be intact for ten more money, after which came the years. He didn’t campaign in the Congress and UML. polls because of his head of state To collect donations, top status. He is on the PR list of the leaders from the parties would NC, but said he would bow out of call up the senior businessmen active politics. and even arrange meetings if All that was before the results required. Many businesses started coming of the Maoist donated voluntarily as they felt sweep. The question is not the donations would increase anymore about who has a majority their bargaining power with the but who can clobber a two-thirds parties. Making donations today majority. When the constituent will make it easier for the assembly sits, there will be a need business sector to lobby to appoint a ‘ceremonial’ tomorrow, says one businessman. president. It would be difficult to make the executive Maoist prime Interim prez

minister also serve as president, ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ and the other parties may want Blog post on www.mysansar.com, a say. 16 April There is a strong possibility that the Maoists will ask Koirala It is now certain that king to serve as president. This will Gyanendra will soon have to pack reward him for his leadership role his bags and leave the palace. But in the peace process as well as it’s not as if he’s the head of allow the Maoists to reassure the country even now. Right now, the domestic and international roles of both head of state and community. The only question is prime minister are being played whether a person whose party as by Girija Prasad Koirala. well as his family has lost in The UML have decided not to elections will be in the frame of take part in the government and mind to accept. He will be under all UML ministers will hand in a pressure from within the party to joint resignation. Even the NC bear some of the responsibility for might follow suit. But the the defeat by having appeased the question arises: who will occupy Maoists. The Maoists may the spot vacated by Gyanendra? therefore have to look for a A few days ago, Pushpa Kamal respected democratic face to be Dahal and Baburam Bhattarai head of state. went to Baluwatar to visit PM The UML, NC, Nepal Army, Koirala and requested that he and especially India and the US remain prime minister for the may not be comfortable with a interim period. But Koirala Maoist government led by Pushpa refused, apparently saying he is Kamal Dahal, but they can’t reject old and tired. After his refusal, him outright either. India helped the Maoists went to Raja Ram the Maoists abandon the bullet Prasad Singh, leader of the Nepal for the ballot, and will have to Janabadi Morcha and regarded as live with the consequences of the Nepal’s first republican leader. He Maoist electoral win, and so will too, refused. the American administration How the Maoists proceed with which faces a Democratic the current political consensus challenge this year. remains to be seen. In fact, the So the day may not be far true test of the Maoists begins away when the army chief has to now. salute Dahal and make his regular

briefing. For an army that has National unity rejected integration with the PLA, ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ this will not be easy. If the Editorial in Himal Khabarpatrika, Maoists make integration a 13-27 April prestige issue, the army will have to go along with it or look for The enthusiastic participation of acceptable alternatives. the Nepali people in the CA polls In his victory speech, Dahal shows that people have made the appeared responsible and ready political and financial for a leadership role. He accepted reconstruction of the country multiparty democratic their national aim. The success of competition and also stressed the election marks an end to old seven party unity. On the violent politics. Voters have economic front, he will be forced proven that fears about ethnic and to be pragmatic. On constitution regional violence were drafting he has no option but to unfounded. cooperate with the other parties. Himal, Pahad, and Tarai voted And he can’t allow his YCL free for a new Nepal and have rein as they have now. The more demanded the fulfillment of the responsible Dahal makes himself, people’s mandate and political the more public credibility he stability. There will be talks about will gain. which party won and which lost in comparison to its publicity Donations efforts but the main achievement

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ is the success of this election. Abhiyan, 14-20 April Nepali people have made their wish for the construction of a During this election, political new Nepal known through the parties around the country raised ballots, and now those chosen millions of rupees from need to fulfil that responsibility.

SELECTED MATERIAL TRANSLATED EVERY WEEK FROM THE NEPALI PRESS REVIEW 18 - 24 APRIL 2008 #396 13 The banality of brutality

he work that gives its title to the exhibition, ‘Splatter Analysis’, is a good starting point to unpacking the messages of the show: a T large, mirror-smooth white board is drilled through to create a delicate pattern, but it is in fact the mark of random firing of an air defence system. The beauty of the painting is in stark contrast to the reality of the weapon whose operation gives it its form. ‘Splatter Analysis’ sets the tone for the rest of the exhibition, highlighting the brutality of war by subverting its reality and transforming it into something aesthetically pleasing. The effect is unsettling. The first piece that catches the eye on entering the gallery is a screen print of Birendra. If you squint it could be a Warholesque representation of John F Kennedy, driving in his open car, with obvious connotations. It is overpainted on aluminium, giving it a mirror-like aspect, only with no reflection, just a sense of unreality. Hanging opposite it in the room is a portrait of a young Pushpa Kamal Dahal in which the blend of aluminium background with black overlay gives an odd hint of the Shroud of Turin. In between these two pieces, which both provoke a double take, is a hanging dress, the shape of

MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA which suggests a 1960s mini-skirt. Closer examination shows that it is made of camouflage cloth and is, as the guide sheet reveals, a reproduction of a17th century Tibetan suit of armour. The overall impression, despite the beauty of the individual pieces, is of unease. It stems from the contradiction of aesthetic pleasure with the death-theme on many levels. Materials are used that are not so much unrelated as antithetical, glitter and stealth being the obvious example. Further disorientation comes from the inclusion of cultural and visual references from Africa and Europe in an exhibition that begins and ends with Nepal but refuses to let you settle into the comfort of a one country theme. Indeed, the stealth bomber and the other ultra-modern weapons depicted are an ironic reminder of the relief that the Nepali war remained relatively low-tech apart from a few notable examples. The overwhelming effect of this collection of beautifully crafted references to brutality, is to remind the visitor of the banality of violence, how it happens in apparently ‘normal’, everyday contexts. It is resonant of the mid-19th century British poet, WH Auden, who writes of the myth of the fall of Icarus as he flies too close to the sun, pointing out that ‘dogs go on with their doggy life and the torturer’s horse scratches his innocent behind on a tree’. z John Bevan

Splatter Analysis is an exhibition of 22 pieces by UK artist Loren Beven and is showing at the Siddhartha Gallery , Babar Mahal Revisited until 23 April. Sun Dance rtists from five different continents are set to descend on the A Last Resort near the Chinese border next weekend to get together and celebrate the renowned Sun Dance Festival. This year the festival’s organisers Sam Voolstra from The Last Resort and Nirakar Yaktumba from Moksh have hooked up with internationally acclaimed bands, such as Pachooka from Australia, Pink Noise from India and Liz Foster from the United States. However, Nepal-based bands like Baja Gaja and Inner Groove will turn the adventure resort into a multi-cultural platform, adding to its international flair. “Musicians in Nepal are really open to all sorts of music, any form and any style. Inner Groove, for me, is a mixture of genres, like a tasty and smooth cocktail,” says Caribbean pianist and singer Patrick Scannel, who joined the fusion band only a few months ago. This is the third Sun Dance Festival Voolstra and Yaktumka are organising and they enjoy the challenge of bringing musicians together from around the world. “Most people who come to Sun Dance are absolute music lovers and they like different styles of music. All musicians will have their own sets but they will also jam together; folk and jazz to relax; rock, reggae and hip hop to dance–it is perfect,” Voolstra says. z Billi Bierling

Last Resort, Thamel, 4700525 Tickets: Rs 2,000 includes food, accommodation and transport 14 CITY 18 - 24 APRIL 2008 #396

ABOUT TOWN In U, Me Aur Hum, Ajay (Ajay Devgan) is on a cruise with four of his friends. He meets Pia (Kajol) and falls in love EXHIBITIONS with her. After a disastrous first meeting, Ajay tries ™ photo.circle.special edition with photographs by Frederic Lecloux, everything to woo her but Pia doesn’t fall for it. Eventually, 19 April, 9.45 AM-12PM at Sundhara Bakery Café, also a by sheer perseverance, he dances his way into her heart presentation of photographs from Himalmedia by Kunda Dixit. and the two get married. Everything is expected to be ™ Splatter Analysis an exhibition by Loren Beven at Siddhartha happy until Pia is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. The Art Gallery, Babar Mahal Revisited, until 23 April. story then continues, about how the couple deal with the ™ Double vision photographs by Nepali and international students, crisis. The film is produced and directed by Ajay Devgan.

until 27 April at New Orleans, Patan. 5522708 Entertainment ™ Masks – Expressions We Wear an exhibition by Soo Jin Oh, from 20 April-5 May, 10AM-6PM at the Gallery 32, Dent Inn. Call 4442220 for show timings at Jai Nepal

™ Collection One paintings by Amir and Anup Chitrakar, until Quest www.jainepal.com 10 May, at the Saturday Café, Boudha. 9851106626

EVENTS ™ Spicy salsa evening with the Salsa dance academy at the Yak ;xeflutfdns" ;ljwfg+ lgdf0fsf{ nflu ;ljwfg;efsf+ ] and Yeti pub, from 6-10PM on 18 April, free entrance. 4248999 g]kfn ;/sf/ ™ Weekly human rights film screenings with Dr Babasaheb lgjfrgdf{ ;xefuL eO { cfkm}+n] 5fgsf] kltlglw| dfkm{t ;"rgf tyf ;~rf/ dGqfno Ambedkar a film by Jabbar Patel at the Sama Theatre, Gurukul, ;"rgf ljefu 5PM on 20 April. 4466956 gof F ;ljwfg+ lgdf0f{ u/f }+ . ™ School Bullying a talk program by Rakshya Nepal, 30 April at The New Era, Battisputali. 9851023958 ™ Don’t worry, be happy spring concert by the Kathmandu Chorale, 3.30 PM and 6PM on 3 May at the British School, admission free. ™ Tantric Dance of Nepal presented by Kalamandapa, every Tuesday 7PM at Hotel Vajra and every Saturday 11AM at Patan Museum. ™ Toastmasters a communication and leadership program, organised by Kathmandu Toastmasters Club every Wednesday 6PM at Industrial Enterprise Development Institute (IEDI) building, Tripureswor. 4288847

MUSIC ™ Paleti with MP Gurung from Shillong, 25 April, 6PM at nepa~laya ‘r’ sala, Kalikasthan, Rs 565. 4412469 ™ Rudra night fusion and classical Nepali music by Shyam Nepali and friends, every Friday, 7PM at Le Meridien, Gokarna. 4451212 ™ Sufi music by Hemanta Rana, every Friday at 7.30 PM at Dhaba Restaurant and Bar, Thapathali. ™ Yankey and friends live acoustic music every Friday at the Bourbon room Restro-bar, Lal Darbar. ™ Anil Shahi every Wednesday and Rashmi Singh every Friday, live at the Absolute Bar, Hotel Narayani Complex, 8PM. 5521408

DINING ™ The Kaiser Café open now at the Garden of Dreams, operated by Dwarika’s Group of Hotels, open from 9AM-10PM. 4425341 ™ Sunday jazz brunch design your meal with pastas, salads and barbeque, with jazz by Mariano and band, at the Rox Garden, Hyatt Regency. 4489361 ™ Steak escape with Kathmandu’s premier steaks available for lunch and dinner at the Olive Bar and Bistro, Hotel Radisson. WEEKEND WEATHER by NGAMINDRA DAHAL 4411818 ™ Bourbon Room Restro-bar now open for lunch and dinner with The satellite pictures show a very interesting weather situation. The over a 100 cocktails, Lal Darbar. symptoms are sunny afternoons followed by windy thunderstorms ™ Cocktails and grooves with jazz by Inner Groove at Fusion-the and showers, which are the result of ongoing tussles between a bar at Dwarika’s, every Wednesday, at Dwarika’s Hotel. northwesterly cold front and emerging warm front from the southwest. ™ Cocktails, mocktails and liqueurs at the Asahi Lounge, opening This confrontation is likely to continue through the weekend as both hours 1-10PM, above Himalayan Java, Thamel. sides are gathering strength from their sources. As a consequence, ™ Continental and Chinese cuisine and complimentary fresh brewed temperatures will continue rising in the daytime but remain stable in coffee after every meal a Zest Restaurant and Bar, Pulchok. the mornings. Another large rainfall is not likely this weekend. The ™ Illy espresso coffee at the Galleria cafe, every Friday espresso rising mercury will go down briefly next week, when a low pressure cocktails. system is due to cross from the northern side to the southern side of ™ International buffet at the Sunrise Café, and Russian specialties the Himalaya, bringing cold, moist air and thundery showers. at Chimney, Hotel Yak and Yeti. 4248999 ™ Roasts and reds fine roasts and red wine at the Rox Restaurant, Hyatt Regency, 15 April-6 May. 4489361 ™ Jazz in Patan with coffee, food, drinks and dessert at the New

Orleans Cafe, Jawalakhel. 11.30 AM-10PM. 5522708 KATHMANDU ™ Saturday special barbeque, sekuwa, momos, dal-bhat at The Tea House Inn, Windy Hills, Nagarkot every Saturday. 9841250848. ™ Dice-licious brunch at Kakori, Soaltee Crowne Plaza, roll the dice to the number of the day and get 50% discount on an KATHMANDU VALLEY individual meal, Saturdays and Sundays, 12.30-3.30 PM. Fri Sat Sun 4273999 ™ Scrumptious wood fired pizzas, cocktails and more at Roadhouse, Bhatbateni 4426587, Pulchok 5521755 and Thamel 4260187. ™ Starry night barbecue at Hotel Shangri-la with Live performance 30-12 28-13 30-13 by Ciney Gurung, Rs. 666.00 nett. per person, at the Shambala Garden, every Friday 7PM onwards. 4412999 ™ Kebabs and curries at the Dhaba, Thapathali. 9841290619 ™ Lavazza coffee Italy’s favourite coffee at La Dolce Vita, Thamel, Roadhouse Café Pulchok and Thamel. 4700612 ™ Pizza from the woodfired oven at Java, Thamel. 4422519 For inclusion in the listing send information to editors(at)nepalitimes.com HAPPENINGS 18 - 24 APRIL 2008 #396 15

MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA TRUST US: To allay worries in the business community about their victory, the Maoist leadership invited FNCCI members to an interactive session at the Everest Hotel on Wednesday. (l-r) Baburam Bhattarai, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Khus Kumar Joshi (FNCCI president) and Krishna Acharya.

MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA BACK ON STRIKE: Tibetans in Kathmandu have resumed their protests since the elections. These nuns, photographed in front of the museum at Swoyambhu, have gone on hunger strike in protest against human rights violations in Tibet. Mau land 16 Q something asamazingthis. Kerala hastheworldseen commies tosweepelectionsin Mallus in themainland?Notsince will thissendtoex-RedGuards elections. Whatkindofmessage barrel ofthegun,notthrough supposed towinpowerbythe Hey, Pasang,Maosaidyouare gone accordingtothescript. worked upbecauseithasn’t face. ButtheChinesearestill both wonderingwhathitthem. neighbourhood superpowers assorted assesbutitgotthe intelligence services,andother pundits, prophets,astrologers, Nepal didn’tjustprovewrong to ElPresidentehimself. present hisbouquetofgladioli Ass gottherebeforethecrowdto the OvalOrifice.Goodthing capitalists racedeachotherto farang dignitariesandcrony Pistachio Palacetheotherdayas There wasanearstampedeatthe various gostisaroundtown. weeks agonowlickingthemat The Indiansputonabrave The becamethefirst baddie assestilltwo who werekicking uite asighttoseethose Mau BACKSIDE FG victoryin rep andcheerleaderofthe Yvon Colin,Frenchupperhouse They havetakenumbrageat Free TibetmeetingsatBoudha. observation inNepaltoattend using theruseofelection of FrenchandGermanMPs Embassy takesaverydimview regions, itlooksliketheChinese Speaking ofautonomous ‘I’. ButNepalandTibet? ‘Eye-ran’ bothrhymebeginwith himself? Atleast‘Eye-raq’and was helettingHadleyhang didn’t knowthediffeither,or bat eithereyelid.Coulditbehe ‘Tibet’ andGeorgieBoydidn’t Hadley said‘Nepal’insteadof should respectthat.Fivetimes determination andBeijing added, hadtherighttoself- in BeijingAugust.Nepalis,he the Olympicsopeningceremony President Bushfromattending monks inNepalwouldnotdeter human rightsviolationsagainst News Stephanapoulos on Stephen HadleytoldGeorge National SecurityAdviser independence fromChina. Tibet orNepalthatwants still tryingtofigureoutifitis The Americansfortheirpartare onSundaynightthatthe FG ABC didn’t visittheminJhapa? from Bhutan?HowcometheMPs 100,000 Bhutaniswereevicted were theseEuropeanswhen and notNepal.Besides,where should doitfromNewCaledonia the Frenchwanttocarryout,they there isanypro-Tibetanactivity ear. Well,theAss’takeonitisif elections heonlygavehimhalfa man wassodistractedwith minister himself,buttheold Baluwatar toprotesttheprime Chinese ambassadorwentto flag inKathmandu.Infact,the France, unfurlingtheFreeTibet Community ofTibetansin The of them. Tibetan bannersmadeitupahead it upMtEverestonlytofind as the weeks lookcertaintobeexciting Kingji knowthatwedon’t?Ishe That remindsme,whatdoes politically correctrepublicanism? Doesn’t thatgoagainstour but whyletinBurgerKing? That wouldhavebeentolerable, Pizz Hutopenupfranchiseshere. permitted: letMcDonaldsand in theearly1990shadn’t what evenourneo-liberalregimes that theyaresoongoingtoallow market promotersofglobalisation Either way,thenextfew Maoistas Olympic Torture CDO Regd No194/056/57Lalitpur, CentralRegion PostalRegd.No 04/058/59 FG FG arenowsuchfree makes daily business? and goingabouthis meeting hangers-on surfing thenet, office, readingthepapers, dynasty inpersonhis of thelastkingShah section withalivingexhibit why nothaveaseparate Nepal’s historyondisplay museum withartifactsfrom is goingtobeturnedintoa 23 April,2006? beans onasecretdealmade ever. Isheabouttospillthe man lookedunflappableas this week,theAsslearns, crown? Atafamilygathering about topullarabbitfromhis ass(at)nepalitimes.com By theway,ifNaryanhiti 18 -24 APRIL 2008 #396

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