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Nepal royals & Maoists making common cause worries India
July 30, 2010
In what appears to be a bizarre development and one that is certain to upset India, the former king of Nepal, Gyanendra's family may be making common cause with the Maoists in Nepal.
As the Himalayan nation's political parties lurch towards their third round of voting for a prime minister on August 2, there are reports of Gyanendra's son-in-law, Raj Bahadur Singh, going over to express support for the Maoists by trying to buy off some constituent assembly members particularly from the smaller parties, said sources.
The last two rounds of elections failed to come up with a leader as neither Maoist leader Prachanda nor Nepali Congress leader Ram Chandra Poudel managed to secure a majority in the assembly. The elections became necessary after the UML leader, Madhav Nepal, resigned on June 30.
It's not yet clear to Indians whether Singh is acting on his own or whether he is being supported by the former king, but certainly he is reportedly trying to get the support of 10-15 CA members which could tip the balance for Prachanda.
Gyanendra has been moving freely in India in the past few years, though he has had no contact with the government. However, he maintains personal ties across the political spectrum, from the BJP leftwards. But if his family is allying with the Maoists, it's not clear what Gyanendra hopes to get out of it. Certainly there is absolutely no chance of the Maoists reinstalling the monarchy.
There is also speculation that like erstwhile Indian royalty, he is searching for some political relevance by aligning the family with what appears to be the biggest political player there. Or the family, knowing India's discomfort with the Maoists could be looking for something from India. Either way, this is not a welcome development so far as India is concerned.
In the run-up to the third round, the Nepali Congress has been trying to stitch a united front with the support of CPN-UML and Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum. While the Upendra Yadav-led MJF is also being wooed by the Maoists, the entry of the former royal family is intriguing, particularly on behalf of the Maoists. MJF is part of a four-party alliance -- United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF)-MJF, Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum-Democratic, Terai Madhesi Loktantrik Party and Sadbhavana Party -- which are asking for an autonomous state. The alliance is likely to give its support to the party that agrees to this demand, said Upendra Yadav in an interview this week.
There are also reports that UML and Madhesi Alliance may remain neutral during the voting. The latter had already refused to vote in the last round. Asked about the prospects of either candidate, Upendra Yadav said in the interview, "If the UML does not vote in favour of Nepali Congress, Ram Chandra will not win even if we vote in his favour. If the Madhesi Alliance does not vote in Maoists' favour they will not also win."
Source: times of india
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