What's Most Disappointing

The number one thing I have pushed for in Nepal's new constitution is turning Nepal into a democracy of state funded parties. Do that and there will be no need for the "revolution" the hardliner Maoists still dream about.

Of all parties I thought the Maoists might bite the idea. But they haven't. And for the longest time I thought it is because the Maoists have too much money. But now when there is a de facto ideological vertical split in the Maoist party I no longer think that is the reason.

Not going for that goal I attribute to the inferiority complex of the Nepali politicians, Maoists as well everyone else. Someone else somewhere else has to have thought of a political idea before a Nepali politician will adopt it.

Turning Nepal into a multi party democracy of state funded parties would be a fusion of the two competing ideologies of the past century. But not even the Maoists are going for it.

I get the impression the Maoists are settling for a republic. Getting rid of the monarchy was a big enough achievement for them. Classlessness is not a goal no more.

It amazes me.

6 States: Possible
A Non Territorial State For Dalits: Great Idea
Proposed Constitution
Mantra: Economic Revolution

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6 States: Possible

Good Map, Bad Map

I think it is possible to have a fair federalism with the six states shown in the map above. And there is no need to give ethnic names to the states. Or perhaps a mix. Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, Karnali, Eastern Terai, Western Terai.

But it can not be a truncated Terai like in the map below where the easternmost and the westernmost parts are lost. And there is no arguing Chitwan is not part of the Terai.

Since half of the people live in the Terai, half the parliamentary seats have to be in the Terai. The directly elected president has to be a one person, one vote thing nationwide.

Holi 2012

Phagwah/Holi In Richmond Hill: March 11
Rang Barse: Happy Holi

Good Map, Bad Map

I can't believe anyone today is proposing the second map.

Even the map at the top has issues. Narayani is an unnatural state. Chitwan belongs in the Madhesh. Narayani feels like territory stolen from the Madhesh, Tamuwan and Magarat states. Karnali is too big and it should more appropriately be named Khasan. But I guess it is not too big populationwise.

I like it that the two states in the Terai are adjacent to each other.

The Nepali Congress Will Get Wiped Out In The Terai In The Next Election
A Non Territorial State For Dalits: Great Idea

The Nepali Congress Will Get Wiped Out In The Terai In The Next Election

Image via WikipediaThe Nepali Congress ruled the country after 1990 for the most part and it was so because it stayed strong in the Terai, electorally speaking. The UML had a rather small presence in the Terai. And parties like the Sadbhavana did not make much headway because the thinking was that if you voted for the Congress, you can get work done later, because the party will be in power. That incumbency factor was of a huge advantage to the Congress.

But that is no longer true after the last election. The Congress by now is half the size of the Maoist party. And it shows no signs of getting into power. The incumbency advantage now has shifted to the Madhesi parties.

The Madhesi parties are going to have to forge an electoral alliance. Like the Left Front and the Third Front in India. They are going to have to not contest against each other. If they could do that they would do really well.

That is not to say the Maoists will not compete against them. The Maoists might try and secure a full majority on their own. I don't see it happening, as in I don't see them securing a majority on their own. If they are wise they'd forge a pre-poll alliance with the Madhesi parties to secure power post-poll.

And so you might look at a scenario whereby the Madhesi parties sweep the Madhesh, and the Maoists do well in Tharuwan and the hills and mountains. The Congress fights a losing battle against the Madhesi parties in the Madhesh. And the UML fights a losing battle against the Maoists in the hills.

The Maoists and the Madhesi parties currently stand at about 50% strength. After the next election they might end up with 60% if they make the right pre-poll moves.

The NC and the UML have shown their true colors through their stances on federalism. The truth is they never really accepted the idea of federalism. And the people have to punish them for that.

Republica: SRC report of majority to be accepted: DPM Gachchhadar

He even criticized the CPN-UML and Nepali Congress (NC) for being anti-autonomous states. The members of the UML and NC who submitted the separate reports have done so against the ethics, Gachhadar said. The separate report submitted by the NC and UML follows the panchayat style, he said. He also claimed that NC and UML have presented such report as they are strictly against United Democratic Madhesi Front.

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A Non Territorial State For Dalits: Great Idea

Image via WikipediaRepublica: SRC majority report for 11 states

Limbuwan, Kirant, Tamsaling, Newa, Tamuwan, Narayani, Magarat, Karnali, Madhes-Mithila-Bhojpura, Madhesh-Abadh-Tharuwan and Dalit (non-territorial)

I am surprised there are still lawmakers insisting on Panchayati style north south states. But the 11 state idea is a good one, and the best part of the report might be the idea of securing a non territorial state for Dalits. That would be a cutting edge thing to do. Minus that the Dalits would have been shortchanged. I am so glad for this provision.

The Dalits are the most downtrodden group in Nepal.

This has to be coupled with the 33% provision for women. That applies to all parliaments in all states, including the Dalit state.

I am glad to see the country get one step closer to federalism.

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Bhagat Sarbajeet Dalit State comprising Myagdi, Baglung and Parbat, Sahalesh Dalit Province covering Siraha, Dhanusha and Saptari districts in the Tarai, and Khaptad Dalit Dravid Province consisting of Bhajhang, Kalikot, Achham, Bajura, Mugu and Kalikot district, pointing that the Dalits comprise more than 30 per cent of the population in the Khaptad region. Leaders of the federation said real peace is not possible without addressing Dalits’ issues. They said that sociologists have warned that the proposed provincial system might give way to a new form of discrimination against the community that has been facing social injustice and suppression for long. DNF said state restructuring will mean nothing for the Dalits if the government does not provide special treatment for long-suppressed communities.
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Arthik Kranti

Image via WikipediaZee News: Nepal PM announces economic development plans

The list of projects mentioned in the vision paper includes completing Kathmandu-Terai fast track road, starting construction of a second international airport outside Kathmandu, preparing detailed project report for 600 MW Budhi Gandaki hydropower Project and starting construction of the 750 MW West Seti project to ease the country's power shortage within the next fiscal year. ....... The 108-page plan of action has proposed 27 programmes, including restructuring of ministries and bringing regional administration offices under the Prime Minister's Office, to achieve good governance.

Rajnitik kranti. Madhesi kranti. Arthik kranti.

The difference is the economic revolution is going to last three decades.

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