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www.newsfront.com.np Kathmandu l 25 Feb-2 March, 2008 l # 55 l Price Rs. 25 Donors promised required support to carry out developmental works in Nepal but insisted that elections in a free and fair atmosphere alone would transform the country into a peaceful democratic country. Bhashwor Ojha Half the population to boycott polls More uncertain ä nf correspondent The extensive dialogues between the government and the UMDF following the one If the country goes to the polls in April - a hosted by Indian ambassador, SS Mukherjee on reiteration that the government has made time February 20, broke down three days later after and again - at least half the population will be PM GP Koirala said, “I cannot accept the demand boycotting it. That this elections will be owned only for one Madhesh, one Pradesh (province).” by the ‘other half’ became clear after the United “We are out of the electoral process,” was the Madhesh Democratic front (UMDF), an umbrella instant reaction from Yadav who along with his platform of three Terai groups, declared, “we are colleague JP Yadav, set out to Terai to accelerate out of the election process,” after their talks with the ongoing movement for more autonomy. the government broke down. Koirala had consulted Maoist Chief Prachanda Unfazed by the boycott, Koirala and the seven- and CPN-UML General Secretary Madhav Nepal party alliance that he leads, announced that before he said ‘no’ to UMDF’s six-point demands. elections to the constituent assembly will be held The boycott by Terai groups will directly affect at any cost, and, “necessary force will be used to the election in 125 out of 240 constituencies in the deal with those trying to obstruct it.” But the country. Together, these constituencies scattered ‘boycott’ has already brought in the debate, how across 22 districts along Nepal’s border with India acceptable will the poll outcome be. A prominent have more than 48 per cent of the total popula- civil society leader even suggested that ‘it is time tion. But PM Koirala is believed to have told his that Nepal army came forward as a defender of colleagues that a controversial lobbyist for democracy’ and stopped the current ‘misrule.’ government of India cum academic who was In line with their declaration, the UMDF and recently in Nepal has asked to him concede the its constituents skipped submitting the list of their demand for, “one Madhesh one Pradesh since candidates under the ‘proportional representa- the government of India wants that.” ä tion system’ on February 24, the extended deadline for the purpose. “We are not going to field any candidates for the first past the post system as well,” said Upendra Yadav, leader of the Madheshi Janadhikar Forum (MJF). Along with the UMDF, Rashtriya Janashakti Party (RJP), headed by former Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa, would be boycotting the polls. The RJP was firm that “there is no point in participating in the election if the issues raised by the UMDF and ethnic groups are not addressed properly.” The election commission was cautiously watching the development and appeared to be in no position to ‘guarantee’ that it will hold the polls on schedule. As this paper goes to the press, the election commission is still waiting to see how smooth the filing of nomination of candidates in 240 constituencies under the first past the post system proceeds. “We are keeping our fingers Ph:- Shop 5011685, Factory: 5555459 crossed,” a commissioner told Newsfront. 2 25 Feb- 2 March, 2008 News Ticket row Embassy meeting Diplomatic indecency - says civil society PM - anti youth? Leaders from political parties and the The issue became a topic of discussion civil society, both long time admirers of in the cabinet on February 21 when Prime Minister GP Koirala’s Feb 23 and 24, demanding that equivalent to 51 per cent of the India, for its role in restoration of peace Maoists, Janamorcha and UML ministers agonies seem to have just the entire list be reviewed to give total electorate constitutes the and democracy, have come out openly all raised the issue in chorus and lodged begun. He stands accused of dignified representation to the electoral list. By denying them against the Southern neighbour after its their objection. “We will not be bound to being anti-youth by his own youths under the first past the adequate representation, Nepali embassy in Kathmandu hosted a meeting the deals clinched in the embassy,” said colleagues and camp followers. post system as well as the PR Congress has projected an ‘anti- of leaders belonging to the United Information Minister and Maoist leader, According to the official system. youth face. The protesting Madhesh Democratic Front (UMDF) and Krishna Bahadur Mahara. But Prime assessment of the Nepali The youths led and chanted youths also accused the the Nepali Congress recently, ostensibly Minister GP Koirala tried to outsmart them Congress which the slogans of the mass Congress leadership, mainly the to find a solution to the Terai problem. all by feigning ignorance about such a Koirala heads, at least two third movement of 2006. “Denying PM and the Congress president The meeting that was held at the meeting having taken place. of the candidates have been them space while deciding on - GP Koirala, of having flouted initiative and hospitality of Ambassador Jaya Prakash Gupta, UMDF leader, decided by him, while Deuba who the tickets was unfortunate,” the party constitution since the Shiv Shanker Mukherjee on February 20 said it was clearly at the behest of the PM, headed the Nepali Congress (D) Gagan Thapa, former General parliamentary board that broke down since neither the UMDF “that we went there.” “We would not until the two parties united last Secretary of the Nepal Students finalises the candidates has not leaders agreed to call off the agitation as have gone there otherwise,” he said. year, was allowed to finalise Union, the student wing of been duly formed. suggested by him, nor the Congress “This was done with two purposes and around 25 per cent of Nepali Congress told newsfront. “It is only the central leaders could spell out what they could designs of the PM,” one of the five UMDF the names. Except for case of According to the party sources, committee (CC) of the Congress offer to the UMDF. But the issue has now participants told newsfront. “Firstly, Dr. Minendra Rijal, Deuba was Tika Choudhary, former Student party that can form such a taken a new turn with the civil society Koirala wanted to show the country that able to incorporate most of his Union President of the PK board, and the CC’s last official leaders stating that the meeting was UMDF was under effective control of the followers. Campus is the only one who has and formal meeting that was clearly directed against the acceptable Indian embassy, and secondly, it was Rijal’s candidature from been given ticket to contest the held on Ashoj 20 did not form diplomatic norms. done to bolster the nationalist image of his Morang was vetoed by Koirala election to the constituent such a body,” a central commit- “It was uncharitable and an outright daughter Sujata Koirala.” ”He wants to who was determined to have assembly, although at least 30 tee member said. Other meddling into Nepal’s affairs,” said project her as someone who refuses to Mahesh Acharya, his nephew such names had been for- members of the party’s central Devendra Raj Pandey, a prominent civil be dictated by Indian Embassy, and that is from the place. Koirala however, warded by the party’s respective committee also alleged that society leader who has been lying low for why he sent along with her other was able to pacify Rijal that he committees. Guru Ghimire, money was being distributed some time. But the harshest criticism members or relatives of the Koirala family would be accommodated under Vishwa Mohan Sharma, Umesh from the PM’s official residence bordering on sheer frustration came from too,” he added. the Proportional Representation Rayamajhi, Nirmal Pokhrel to the candidates whose names Vishwanath Upadhyay who told some Amod Upadhyay, Shekhar Koirala and (PR) system. But this was only a besides Thapa were the names have been finalised. “Each prominent leaders of the ruling party as Mahesh Acharya had participated in the minor issue compared to the recommended by the respective candidate was given Rs. One well as the civil society that such Mukherjee brokered attempt in the swollen fury of the party youths parties. lakh each as the first installment behaviour was unacceptable. “If this is embassy. “No matter who went there, it who demonstrated outside the Available data suggests that at of the undisclosed amount from acceptable, then you must be ready to was a disgrace to our sovereignty and PM’s Baluwatar residence on least 9. 2 million voters - there,” the member said. hand over Nepal to India,” said the former nationalism,” the prominent student chief justice of the Supreme Court. leader, Gagan Thapa, said. News 25 Feb- 2 March, 2008 3 Attacked Indomitable EC seems less confident ä nf correspondent has changed a lot now.” Yet for many, Bhattarai’s beliefs are not out of The election commission, a State to provide adequate security Ignoring threats of political isolation place. centre of hope to those who want to the commission. The helicopter, and ridicule, KP Bhattarai, the Former Chief Justice and the key a fair election in the country, is that had gone there with some octogenarian leader of the Nepali architect of the 1990 constitution was more vulnerable to attack by the electoral officers and the equip- Congress, does what he believes in.