Democracy For Nepal

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Is CA Revival Possible?

If the principle of separation of powers between the three branches of government is to be respected, and it has to be, then how is it possible to revive the constituent assembly? Some political leaders in Nepal are acting as if all it takes is a consensus among the major political parties and the assembly can be revived. That is like saying if the sons and daughters can forge a consensus the dead father can be brought to life. How is that possible?

But then I have proven wrong once before. The 2006 movement resurrected the dead parliament. It was not technically an option, that is what I thought.

I personally think the best option is for the parties to agree to a caretaker government of non political people that will get the president to sign ordinances necessary to conduct a new election, and then to go for an election to a new constituent assembly.

But if the CA can be revived and the country can get a new constitution through it, that might be cheaper for the country. A revived CA that votes on all the key issues would offer a quick resolution. I never understood why party leaders needed to meet privately off site to try to resolve issues. Let the elected officials vote.

CA revival within this month: Dahal
Survey: Half of Chinese like US ideas on democracy

Oli hospitalized in New York
SP assigns portfolios to central members

Dahal fails to impress at EU function
Maoist Madhes wing protests ban on Indian vehicles
Big 3 holding country hostage of indecision: Gachchhadar
UML General Secretary: New elections will be like referendum
President ready for any step to resolve deadlock
PM's remark about prez irresponsible: NC leader Singh
NC prez stresses strengthening party organization for election
NC leader Tamang against single identity-based federalism
Manang linked with road network for first time
PM has no right to talk about prez's jurisdiction: Poudel

Fresh Violence In Madhubani, Nitish Kumar Defers "Adhikar Yatra"
No progress in unification talks: Yadav
Zero tolerance on crime: Gachchhadar
PM tells prez not to meddle with parties

Divisive issues of yore still haunt Madhesi parties
Once bitten, twice shy: NC, UML wary of Dahal's proposal
UML firm on fresh polls

UML leaders hit back at CA revival campaigners
PM cautions against royal comeback
New party before Dashain: Chemjong

Leaders across parties for CA revival

UCPN (Maoist) to undergo structural overhaul

NC leaders accuse Deuba, Paudel of lobbying for CA revival for PM berth
Nepal govt disowns OHCHR conflict report
Elections only as last option: Dahal
New Janajati party should see beyond ethnic agenda
India's Sonia Gandhi speaks out over rape cases
Chavez wins third re-election in tightest race yet

Desertions may give UML hard time to retain cadres
Parties still indecisive on CA polls
Dahal proposes CA revival to NC
Former NC CA members rap party leadership
UN releases Nepal Conflict Report amid govt opposition

Experts doubt long term unification of Madhesi parties
Madhesi parties to unite!

'पार्टीत्यागले धक्का पर्दैन'
निर्वाचन नभएसम्म प्रधानमन्त्री बन्दिनँ: दाहाल
'सत्ताकब्जा’ को कार्यनीति
चुनावी सरकारको नेतृत्व पनि हाम्रोः दाहाल
दाहाललाई पूर्वकमान्डरको दबाब

Desertions pose no problem: UML
Ashok Rai, noted dissidents quit CPN-UML
Fresh poll to correct faulty composition of CA: Oli
Maoists, NC spar over who leads election govt
UCPN (Maoist) split most manifest in Maoist strongholds
With no outdoor life, children develop behavioral quirks
NC to hold discussions with Janajati leaders on Tamang report
Greed for power prolonging stalemate: Gachchhadar
Friday's demonstration just a 'rehearsal': Khanal
Putin strong at 60 but economic challenges loom

Madheshvani

Parties agree to new CA poll but differ on poll govt
Nepali Communists against federalism, inclusive state

Madhesi, Janajati parties announces Federal Democratic ForumYadav also urged Janajati and Madhesi leaders from UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML to join their alliance ..... TNRD Chairman Parshuram Tamang said that formation of a unified party of Madhesi, Janajati, Muslims and Dalits, among other marginalized groups is a must as three major political parties failed to address their issues. .... CPN-UML leader Hem Rai and NC leader Kumar Rai said that dissatisfied Janajati leaders would formally quit their respective party on Wednesday. "There is no need to stay in the party that could not address our concerns," stated Kumar.
Ruling alliance puts off rallies amid reservation from Madhes-based parties
Oppn alliance to shun protests till mid-October for consesus

Madhesi parties to unite!Terai Madhesi Democratic Party (TMDP) and Madhesi People´s Rights Forum (MPRF) have been engaging on consultations with the aim to unify both parties. Furthermore, MPRF has also held several rounds of consultations with other fringe indigenous parties as well..... MPRF and Rastriya Samajbadi Party led by Sharat Singh Bhandari declared that they merged the two parties naming the party as Sanghiya Loktantrik Sangh. .... It is said that both the party leaders including TMDP Chairman Mahantha Thakur and MPRF Chairman Upendra Yadav have tentatively agreed to merge the parties before October despite the objection from second ranking leaders including TMDP Vice-chairman Hridayash Tripathi. ..... Tripathy has been intensifying parleys with Gachchhadar led forum with the aim to find out the way of possible unification. ..... TMDP’s proposal to the MPRF chairman Yadav for the post of senior vice chairman has been emerging as a obstacle to forge consensus as the MPRF has been claiming that the unified party should be led by both the leaders Yadav and Thakur with the portfolio of supreme leader. ....... It is said that some parties including Sadbhawana Party (SP) have opposing the idea of forming the Federal Republican Democratic Alliance (FDRA), an loose alliance of 21 parties including the ruling parties
Madhesi, Janajati parties set to announce alliance MondayFederal Democratic Forum (FDF) .... mentioned in the concept paper of the alliance is that they aim to form a unified party. The common concept paper of the alliance has been endorsed by the central committees of all parties that will join the alliance ..... MPRF, National Madhes Socialist Party (NMSP), Tamsaling Nepal Rastriya Dal (TNRD), Rastriya Janamukti Party, Khambuwan Swayatta Rajya Parishad, Janamukti Party Nepal and Nepal Shanti Samaj Party will be accommodated in the new alliance ..... MPRF Chairman Upendra Yadav said they have been attempting to unify various political parties both from the hills and the Tarai. FDF-N: new alliance under Upendra YadavKhambuwan Autonomous State Council, Rastriya Janamukti Party, Nepal Shanti Samaj Party, Tamsaling Nepal Rastriya Dal have also joined the newly-formed alliance.

Ruling Madhesi parties divided over holding rallies
Prez offers to chip in if parties fail
Confused parties struggling to consolidate alliancesThe ruling parties backed by some other small political parties have formed the Federal Democratic Republican Alliance (FDRA) under the leadership of UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal a month ago. Over 20 of the total 33 political parties represented in the then CA have allied themselves with the Dahal-led front.
UCPN (Maoist) spokesman hints at CA revival
Maoist Chairman Dahal, ex-King Shah 'encounter' in Pokhara

Prez presses parties for early consensus
Mahato warns against active presidential role
Chances of consensus govt under NC slim: Dahal
Maoists major hindrance for forging consensus: Oli
Consensus govt first and compulsory condition: Sitaula

Madhesi, Janajati parties set to announce alliance Monday

According to Madhesi and Janajati leaders, MPRF, National Madhes Socialist Party (NMSP), Tamsaling Nepal Rastriya Dal (TNRD), Rastriya Janamukti Party, Khambuwan Swayatta Rajya Parishad, Janamukti Party Nepal and Nepal Shanti Samaj Party will be accommodated in the new alliance. ..... MPRF and NMSP were the constituent parties of the erstwhile Broader Madhesi Front (BMF) while TNRD had supported agitation programs of the BMF. ..... MPRF Chairman Upendra Yadav said they have been attempting to unify various political parties both from the hills and the Tarai.

NMSP to launch awareness drive, press Madhesi issues

Five influential UML dissidents resume party work
Ruling Madhesi parties flay CPN-Maoist
UDMF against Maoists' anti-Indian activities
UDMF for consensus govt for fresh CA polls
Maoists-UDMF meet concludes

How Sonia Gandhi was persuaded to back reforms

NSP-A to protest against ruling coalition
SP for forming federalists' alliance
SP all set for two-day gathering
Extensive meeting of Sanghiya Sadbhawana Party kicks off
NSP-A criticizes PM's address to nation

MPRF-D, TDMP leaders hold talks on party unification
Ajit Jogi lone voice for Rahul's elevation
Rahul Gandhi has to decide for himself, says Sonia Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi has no clear convergent thinking: BJP
Govt losing communication battle: Salman Khurshid
Maharashtra govt in crisis, all NCP ministers quit
UPA troubles put AIADMK in poll mode
CBI finds foreign hand behind bid to malign Rahul Gandhi
Mulayam Singh Yadav admits PM ambitions
Samajwadi Party led third front government at Centre possible in 2014: Mulayam Singh Yadav
UML dissidents to quit the party on Oct 4
PM seeks support for democratization of army
PM rules out prez call for consensus govt
MPRF-N leader shot dead in Birgunj
Extortion on rise in Birgunj again
MJF-R plenum adopts 5-pt Birgunj declaration
MPRF-R breaks links with JP Gupta
MPRF-D expels 14 district committee members
Include dissenting parties in talks: NC
NC-led govt will create serious power imbalance : Maoist
No govt before package deal: FRDA
NC assures CPN-M inclusion in major party talks

Thursday, October 11, 2012

संगठनका कुरा

मैले हिजो प्रभु मनी को कार्यलयमा टिपेको विश्व सन्देश को पछाड़ी पट्टी कोर्दै थिएं। विश्व स्तरमा नेपाली त्यही हुन जुन नेपालमा दमजम हुन। र त्यों कुराको झझल्को नेपाली समुदाय भित्र mass base नभएका नचाहेका तर नेतृत्व पद खाई रहेका अनगिनती ब्यक्ति हरुले दिई रहेको अवस्था छ। Living room politics बाट पद हरु बांडने पुरानो परम्परा छ।

Mass base मा जानु, democratic process follow गर्नु, पदकालागी खुला चुनाव गराउनु, संगठनको हिसाबकिताब खुला किसिमले वेबसाइट मा राख्नु, खुला बहस गर्नु -- यिनै साधारण अभ्यासले विश्व स्तरमा नेपालीहरूको empowerment हुन्छ। संगठनका अलावा agenda को कुरा आउँछ। Vision को कुरा आउँछ।

60-70 देशमा संगठन विस्तार भएको होला तर dual citizenship को कुरामा र 100 million dollar fund को कुरामा प्रगति भएको देखिंदैन। संगठन पनि mass based छैनन।

NRN (Non Resident Nepali) Association को संगठनमा थुप्रै कमी कमजोरी छन। त्यस बारे केही सुझाव दिन चाहन्छु।

(1) Pyramid of 10 --- व्यापक membership drive गर्ने। सदस्य हरू लाई कम्तीमा 10 बढ़ीमा 20 को संख्यामा संगठित गर्ने। महिना मा एक पटक house party गर्ने समुह। त्यस्तो 10 unit को नाइके को conference call मार्फत अथवा internet मार्फत अर्को समुह। And so on.

(2) Public Facebook page, private Facebook group, public Facebook group. Lots of use of photos and videos. Plenty of textual reports, discussions.

(3) Online voting. प्रत्येक सदस्यले मत दिन पाउनु पर्छ। Ohio जस्तो अनकन्टार दुर्गम ठाऊँमा 10 जना खुसुक्क जम्मा भएर राष्ट्रिय नेतृत्व चयन गर्ने चाहना पंचायती सोंच भयो। Leadership by consensus भनेको रोग हो। चुनाव नै हुन नदिने, कस्तो अचम्मको सोंच? चुनाव नहुने संगठन भनेको कहिल्यै झ्याल ढोका नखोलिने घर जस्तो हो। NRN को global leadership को पनि चुनाव नै हुनुपर्छ र त्यों चुनाव 1,000 delegate ले मत खसाल्ने चुनाव हुन सक्दैन। दुनिया भरका 20 लाख NRN हरू मध्ये व्यापक membership drive गरेर one person one vote का आधारमा आम आदमीको स्तरमा वोट हुनुपर्छ। NRNA को सदस्य हो भने global conference अगाड़ी online आउने, एक हप्ता को window हुन्छ, online गएर वोट खसाल्ने। जम्मा भएको delegate लाई पनि वोट खसाल्न नदिने कस्तो अचम्मको परिपाटी?

(4) 100% transparent, online book keeping. के कति पैसा उठ्यो र खर्च भयो त्यों प्रत्येक सदस्यलाई थाहा हुन पर्छ। Meeting को minutes online राखिनुपर्छ।

(5) NRN को न्यू योर्क चैप्टर ले Memorial Day Weekend मा प्रत्येक बर्ष convention गर्न पर्छ जस्तो मलाई लाग्छ। दुनियाको राजधानी हो यो।

Agenda अझै फराकिलो बनाउनु पर्यो। मुख्य मुद्दा dual citizenship को हो। त्यसमा नेपालका नेताहरूले बड़ो मुर्खता देखाएका छन अहिलेसम्म। त्यों बिना नेपालमा आर्थिक क्रांति संभव छैन। त्यति गहन मुद्दा हो त्यों। 100 million डलर फंडको कुरा राम्रै हो तर global financial market tap गर्ने कुरा त्यो भन्दा 10,000 गुना राम्रो हो।

नेपाली हरुले प्रत्येक देशमा आफ्नो अधिकार खोज्न पर्यो। 150 बर्ष अगाडी बोस्टन मा Irish ले नागरिक नभए पनि मत खसाल्थे मेयर कालागी। आज नेपालीले न्यू योर्क मा त्यही खोज्न पर्छ। त्यस्कालागी नेपाली समुदाय बाहिर जान पर्ने हुन्छ। Indian संग हातेमालो गर्न पर्ने हुन्छ। Chinese संग। Hispanic र African संग।

बलियो संगठन बाट पैदा हुने नेटवर्क ले सदस्य हरु लाई बिभिन्न किसिमका फ़ायदा हरु हुन्छन्।

John Liu Could Be Mayor

Jupiter And Obama
Bobby Will Run In 2016
Nitish Is My Lula
John Liu And Being Asian American
John Liu: Mayor Of NYC: 2013
John Liu: Victory
New York City

My friend John Liu, the New York City Comptroller, the most senior Democrat in the city, could get elected Mayor next year. He stands a strong chance. About 10% of Americans are black, about 10% of New Yorkers are Asian American. And John Liu is not half white. And to be Mayor of New York City is to hold the second most important political office in America.

It would be a historic win if John wins. John F Kennedy, the first Catholic to get elected president, had brothers called Bobby and Teddy, so does John Liu. That John broke a barrier. This John is about to.

We as a community have to do the best we can to make it happen. For one, this guy loves the Nepali community. He has shown up for our events when there were no potential voters or donors in the room. And he knew, it is not like we duped him into thinking otherwise.

When John Liu ran for Comptroller, he got more votes than did Mayor Bloomberg, and John is not even a billionaire. He was not an incumbent Mayor. Tells me if he had run for Mayor instead of Comptroller he would have beat Bloomberg. The Democrats should have nominated John Liu instead of Bill Thompson to run against Bloomberg. Bloomberg would have been defeated, if that was the idea.

Last year John Liu was leading in the polls. Then a Chinese soldier in the US Army succumbed to racism, committed suicide. John Liu organized protest events, made some noise. And he got targeted. The FBI created a slight stink around him and drove down his poll numbers. It was a deliberate institutional attack. It was racist.

Goes on to show it is harder being an Asian American in this city than it is to be a gay woman who is friends with a Mayor who is not from her party, or a white guy married to a black woman, or a black guy who ran for Mayor and lost. Those would be the other top three contenders for the throne, Christine Quinn, the City Council Speaker, Bill De Blasio, the Public Advocate, and Bill Thompson, the former Comptroller.

I was Barack Obama’s first full time volunteer in New York City and I have the scars to show for it. They had me disappear the same day Barack beat Hillary and they let me out a few days after Barack beat McCain. They had me in for six months; they had Mandela in for 27 years. The racism he faced was about 50 times stronger.

I was born in Bihar. People in this city are not going to teach me the rough and tumbles of politics. Of the 200,000 Nepalis in America I was the only full timer to have worked for Nepal’s democracy movement in 2005-2006. In April 2006, over a period of 19 days, about eight million people out of the country's 27 million came out into the streets to shut the country down completely to force a dictator out. If you can deal with a dictator, you can deal with racism.

In 1996 I showed up in Bible Belt Deep South Kentucky for college and ran for Freshman Class President and got fewer votes than anyone else. Within five months of that I had myself elected Student Body President at the top liberal arts college in the South, a college record, the first time a freshman had done so. Before I came to America, too young to legally run for office, I was Vice General Secretary to a party whose General Secretary was Hridayesh Tripathy and Rajendra Mahto was a Central Committee member, junior to me. Both Tripathy and Mahto are cabinet ministers in Nepal today. They have been for years. Tripathy first became cabinet minister over a decade ago.

I am political and I am rooting for John Liu. How about you?