India Rising Against Corruption: Jan Lokpal Movement

Author: Dr. Abdul Ruff

 Edited & Modified by Divas

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 The historic win in Delhi Assembly has not made the Aam Aadmi Party(AAP),which stands for common people, and its government complacent about their achievement and they are quite serious about anti-corruption program for not just Delhi state, but for entire India.

AAP’s firm mindset has annoyed the usual corrupt political parties working to make the rich richer and corporate class grow stronger.

The old political outfits are concerned over AAP’s increasing popularity, hence they oppose anti-corruption movement of Hazare and Kejriwal.

But, Aam Aadmi leaders  are stead fast in their resolve to make India corruption free.

Amid staunch opposition from big national parties like Congress party and  BJP, Aam Aadmi Party that now rules Delhi state, goes ahead with passing its Jan Lokpal Bill.

The issue of anti-corruption Jan Lokpal Bill has been the top agenda of the party even before the Delhi poll.

AAP had raised the Lokpal bill issues on its  During the Delhi poll campaigns and after that.

Both Congress and BJP lost their face in Delhi polls, and AAP came to the power with overwhelming majority.

Delhi chief minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal has placed the Lokpal bill on the table of the House but the opposition parties opposed the Bill.

Interestingly, both Congress and BJP have been demanding the AAP government to fulfill all poll promises given to the people.

However, the big parties are annoyed at AAP government’s decision to go for a legal vote to implement the Jan Lokpal Bill.

Kejriwal has clearly stated that he would resign if the bill is defeated  in the House.

India has seen an important phenomenon:  both Congress and BJP are now together in their opposition to the anti-corruption Jan  Lokpal Bill.

An impression has been created in India that Congress, BJP and other big parties are mired in corruption, while the new AAP is eager to wipe out corruption from India.

According to the latest news, the Lokpal Bill was not introduced in the Assembly for debate since about 42  MLAs form Congress, BJP and other parties  spoke against supporting the bill.

Nose Based Leadership Change in Nepal: Replace all Brahmin Leaders

Nose Size Matters in Nepal Politics

By Divas

If you’d go through Nepal’s popular dailies including those I scrutinize everyday – the Kantipur, The Himalayan Times & The Kathmandu Post, and make a racist evaluation of the contributors, you’ll find that more than 80 percent of the authors there belong to Brahmin caste. Not only the authors and editors, most of the letter to editor writers are also Bahun. Scan the profiles of all high level government officials, the same statistics holds true there too. Bahuns consider the field of academics and scholarship as their innate profession. The same is true in politics – even the tirades against Bahunbad (Brahmanism) in politics have now become clichés. Many point at the irony that Bahuns hold the key posts even in the Maoist party which led the movement against Bahunbad in Nepal.

The Bahun halimuhali (hegemony) in Nepali life is sickening. I’m increasingly getting intolerant of Bahun leadership in everything in Nepal. To tell you the truth, I hardly read any article written by Nakchuchche (pointed nose) Bahun or Chetri caste – except if it’s by a Bahun physician writing on some health related issue. I do not even watch television these days fearing I might have to see the Bahun or Chetri faces of political leaders. So much so that, I even judge a roadside restaurant by its owner – I don’t want to eat anything from an arrogant Bahun or Chetri with pathetic culinary sense.

Some concrete reasons behind my Bahunallergy (Bahun Allergy). The election fever is getting its hold on the students of Nepal’s largest public university, the Tribuvan University (TU). Lekhanath Neupane who is a Bahun and also the leader of Maoist affiliate student union issued a warning a few days ago that they’d break the backbones of anyone opposing them like they did before. Bahun Lekhnath was countered by another Bahun Pradip Poudel of Congress affiliated student union who said that they’d also break the bones of anyone attacking them.

Instead of showing some examples of good governance by controlling corruption in politics & bureaucracy, the Bahun Prime Minister of Nepal Prachanda, Bahun Finance Minister Baburam, and Bahun leaders of Maoist Party CP Gajurel, and Dinanath have been warning of revolt unless they’re not allowed to govern. On the other hand, the Bahun Kangessi opposition leaders of the like of Shushil Koirala and Govinda Raj have begun counting the days for the downfall of the government. And please, don’t even mention the Bahun names like Jhalanath Khanal and KP Oli. Power seems to corrupt the Bahun more than others. The chics & bellies of Bahun swell very fast once they begin enjoying state coffers.

My argument is that the Bahuns & Chetris should voluntarily hand over the leadership to the people of other castes & races – that’s what Gyanedra’s retirement from monarchy symbolizes. The air is simply not in favor of Nakchuchche in Nepal these days. Go abroad, do some business, become professionals but please don’t show your names and faces on televisions and newspapers.

And if you’re choosing your leaders, whether in the upcoming student election, or in the Nepali Congress & UML Conventions, or in the local bodies, don’t believe in their official policies, for no one makes bad policies, look at their nose, and vote for a non-Nakchuche, or a Madisey.

Incidentally, I myself happen to be a Nakchuche…but do read this crap anyway … Boorchodikey 😀

Sixteen Hour Load Shedding in Nepal: How the Hell Can One Run the Government?

By Divas

Nepal enters a sixteen hours daily load shedding schedule from today. The Government has already declared a nationwide power crisis. PM Prachanda & FM Baburam certainly realize the gravity of the situation – both have identified the electricity shortage as the single most threatening issue against their government, and even against the ongoing so called peace process. PM Prachanda in a “talk program” on the challenges faced by his government almost exasperated: Bijuli nai chaina, bhutro desh chalaune? (No electricity – how the hell can I run the government?) Therefore, while the ruling Maoists are busy on blaming past governments’ policies for the present power crisis, the main opposition NC & UML blame the Maoists for opposing such mega-hydroelectric projects like the Arun III, Seti, Mahakali, & Melamchi.

The country has some interesting experience to share from its existing 12 hours power cuts. Nepal Police says that incidences of robbery & petty crimes go up during the dark hours. Hospitals refuse accepting emergency & injury cases due to their inability to operate such vital machines like MRI & CT. Nepali doctors are adding laurels to their professionalism and ask for extra privilege & protection for their success in “Candlelight Operations”. Nepal’s radio & TV networks have officially announced a five hours’ closure of “informing the public”. The dailies publish students’ complaint letters lamenting how their exam & career are affected by continual load-shedding.

Personally, i pity at Prachanda & Baburam’s helplessness and my all sympathies goes to our comrades at the shattering of their New Nepal dream, but still find myself increasingly cynic & snobbish of Nepalese behavior. The Maoists can not just shrug off from their share of responsibility to their bourgeois counterparts in accepting past mistakes. While the past Panchayat, Kangressi, & “hijda” UML governments were certainly corrupt to their bone-marrows, the Maoists should not forget that they were also running a parallel government for the past 15 years. During their People’s War, the Maoists claimed to control all Nepal’s territory except Kathmandu and not only obstructed new development projects but also destroyed the existing infrastructures – a revolutionary method of weakening the “feudal governments” by forcing people into the Dark Ages. The Maoists even used to warn people not to expect any construction projects, as they were uprooting the remnants of feudalism.

And what to say of these Deshmara Rastrasewak government staffers? Have you ever visited a Nepal Government office? I once told my father that I’m ready to forego all claims on land & property that involves dealing with government officials. As a child of a government employee I was born & raised in various government offices across the length & breadth of this country, and I myself have worked for a government corporation for some time. Go & have a look, while the commoners in the countryside are dying of cold-waves and the nation is under a sixteen hour load shedding, i’m sure you’ll find the heaters in all government offices always on. When it’s not cold, you’ll find that all the fans are always on. And, often you’ll find that all the electric gadgets are always on – a staff may be drying out his washed clothes under a fan, enjoying himself by the heater.

There’s a saying among the masses that Nepalis will eat even alkatra (coal-tar) – the saying comes from an everyday observation of how the construction & repair works are hastily begun & completed during and only in the monsoon rains so that they could write in papers that bridges and roads were swept away by monsoon floods. From project directors to fuel stealing drivers, from ministers to halkara peons, all government employees are drenched to their neck in the guhu (feces) of corruption. Where else do you think the fifty years of foreign grants in Nepal has gone? How can a kharidar (clerk) build an enormous building in Kathmandu? Do you think these armed groups in Terai are fools that they target government employees for extortion?

Hence, to all Nepalis including Prachanda & Girija, to male, masaley, & mandaley, I’d like to do a Khuchching, ees kha. As for me, I’m excited with the thought of what would happen when the country goes for a 24-hour load shedding. But that seems unlikely – for Prachanda, finally surrendering to his Delhi Bosses, has asked for an immediate power supply. Why so much fuss anyway? More than 80 per cent of Nepal population never faces any load-shedding – access to electricity is still a luxury among the 20 per cent bhuifutta & basi basi khane (sit, sit & eat) Nepalis.

CLICK FOR LATEST/ NEWEST LOAD SHEDDING SCHEDULE Load Shedding Schedule (23 Jan 2009) Magh 10 Gate

CLICK Here: Load Shedding Schedule (23 Jan 2009)

Or, you can find the latest schedule (when it changes again) on Nepal Electricity Authority Website. Here:

http://nea.org.np/

Row Between the Maoists & the Nepal Army

Nepal PM Prachanda & FM Baburam being escorted by the Maoist Army

By Divas

Army will be out of controversy: Nepal Army General Katawal

A fresh row seems to have erupted between the Nepal Army(NA) and the Maoist-led Government of Nepal. The Army has bas been accused of breaching government orders given by the Maoist Defence Minister, Ram Bahadur Thapa “Badal”. Mr. Badal had issued a directive some days ago to halt the fresh recruitments in the NA immediately.

The United Nations’ Mission in Nepal, the UNMIN, too asked for halting the NA recruitment after the Maoist Army Commander accused the NA of breaching the Peace Agreement terms threatening of beginning inductions into the Maoist Army.

However, the NA refuses to halt recruitment arguing that no objection was made in the past when it conducted similar recruitments twice after the Peace Agreement, and even for this time, the present government gave a go ahead permission two months back.

The Nepal Army is perhaps the only institution that has made positive impression after its constructive role in the promulgation & implementation of the republic in Nepal. Of late, it’s always been focusing on its professional integrity under a legitimate government. Hence, the NA certainly can not risk appearing political by publicly going against the directives from the popularly elected government.

It’s is also unnecessary to sensationalize the issues between the Maoist ministers & the Nepal Army officers either. Let no one forget that the Nepal Army has had expressed its dissatisfaction even with the past governments. The NA had refused to go against the Maoist guerillas after the Holleri incident in 2001 despite getting directives from the then PM Girija Prasad Koirala. Similarly, the NA’s reluctance to go against the agitating people during the Mass Movement 2006 was one major reason for persuading King Gyanendra to handover the reign to the political parties.

The political ground reality is that the country can not be further radicalized as the Maoists desire, nor the normal course of historical changes can be reversed. Contrary to what some “external forces” believe, the majority of Nepalis would still like to see the Maoists at the driver’s seat, but they’d also make sure that the driver refrains from getting “revolutionarily” drunk.

The Maoists would the serve the people better if they focused on translating the already achieved political metamorphoses into the everyday life of the commoners – by controlling political & bureaucratic anomalies/corruptions.

And since both the Maoists & the NA have preached a lot, they now need to show through practice.

Can Former Maoist Guerillas in Nepal Fight Against Corruption?

Fighting a war far easier for Maoists than fighting corruption

By Divas

Nepal’s Finance Minister & Maoist Party leader Dr. Baburam Bhattarai has claimed that the Maoist-led coalition government has identified certain sectors, one being the tourism industry, which would boost national economy despite severe market crisis in the “capitalist world”. Dr. Bhattarai also blamed the nexus of political leadership, bureaucracy, and taxpayers for the high level of revenue leakage in the country. Similarly, Dr. Bhattarai advised private school owners to divert their capital from school education sector to other areas of entrepreneurship.

Nobody in Nepal doubts Dr. Bhattarai’s sincerity for the upliftment of people in the margins. In fact, during the time when Dr. Bhattarai was fighting his guerilla war with government forces, many people used to say, “How can the Maoists be wrong when people like Dr. Bhattarai lead them?” Dr. Bhattarai’s popular base became evident when he got elected in Constituent Assembly election defeating his opponent with the greatest margin in country.

However, as one columnist said, after three months in power, the Maoists must have realized that fighting corruption within state bureaucracy is far more difficult than fighting a guerrilla war against the state. Moreover, how would the Maoists justify the alleged involvement of their youth wing, the Young Communist League (YCL), in various abductions, tender-bid bargains, transport syndicate in western Nepal, and even in smuggling sand from Kathmandu valley rivers?

On the other hand, umbrella organization of the private schools has challenged Dr. Bhattarai to nationalize all private schools if he can. Similarly, members of Nepal’s Chamber of Commerce have accused Dr. Bhattarai of being “investment unfriendly” to meet the “ambitious” revenue target declared in his “ambitious” budget for 2008-2009. Despite all difficulties, the Maoists seem to enjoy popular support to carry out their socialist agenda, especially owing to increasing criticism against capitalism in the developed world themselves.

However, Defence Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa’s denial before the Assembly of the media reports that he had met the prime suspect of the Kathmandu businessman Ramhari Thapa murder case has once again put the Maoist Party sincerity in question. Defence Minister Thapa, despite labeled as a Maoist hardliner, certainly commands respect from a significant section of society. But not only the opposition party Nepali Congress, but Nepal’s trusted media persons who were the eyewitness of Mr. Thapa’s meeting with the alleged suspect, have refuted his claim as “totally false & misleading”.

At a time, when they have the crucial responsibility of managing their former guerilla army, and reach a deal with Madhesi guerillas, the Maoists better resolve their ideological confusion and work toward what Comrade Prachanda prefers calling “public-private partnership”.

Thick & Thin of Nepal Politics

 Why are the former two big & ‘democratic’ parties reluctant to join the Maoist-led government?

These democratic parties & their leaders seem concerned for:

*the Maoist cadres’ high-handedness

*stunning election result

*being led by a US Terror Watch listed hardcore communist party

While it’s now naked clear that the Maoists emerged as the largest party by resorting to the hook or crook strategies, one must not forget that most of the votes they got were not for communism at all.

In fact, the people who voted against one party Royal Regime would never withstand some other politburo elites as their Messiahs either.

Let this be written on the Ratna Park Wall in large bold letters – the Maoists would not be able to successfully sustain their communist ideals, if any, for long.

However, as Nepal is at a very critical stage after the cliched 238-yrs-old Shah dynasty Rule, the older, & therefore, mature parties must co-operate with the namesake Maoists for framing a democratic constitution as well as the new government.

Leaving the Maoist party on its own would be like resigning all responsibilities to a mishevious hyperactive teenager – a reactive but unworthy act on the part of ‘grown-up’ parties.

The parties should shock the Maoists this time – by making their presence in the government, & not allowing the Prachanda Pathiks get away merely with a lip-service call for a coalition government.

Let no one forget, to quote CK Lal, that people no longer shoulder those leaders who refuse riding comfortably through thick & thin.