Three Deputy Prime Ministers of Nepal

Never in the history of Nepal as a nation state has there been the provision for three deputy prime ministers at a time. However, the government led by none other than the revolutionary Maoists have proceeded towards the path that not only damages the coalition culture in a democratic set up but also has established that the party’s and personal interests are far above than the country’s prime agenda. With this provision, Nepal in the process of making history in series has made yet another jocular history. A meeting held between the leaders of three major political parties, the Maoists, the UML and the Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum on Saturday August 30, 2008 decided to include the provision of three deputy prime ministers in the government set-up. “Mr. Bam Dev Gautam- UML’s deputy prime minister, Dr. Baburam Bhattarai- Maoists’ deputy prime minister and Mr. Upendra Yadav MJF’s deputy prime minister”, say reports adding Mr. Gautam will be the immediate deputy to prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal followed by Dr. Bhattarai and Mr. Yadav. Dr. Bhattarai and Mr. Yadav who are currently the ministers will be awarded the post of deputy prime ministers keeping their current portfolio intact. Mr. Bam Dev Gautam will be the deputy prime minister with the responsibility to handle the ministry of home affairs. No explanation needed, this is the biggest joke in itself and one can only laugh out loud. What more can be expected from the power hungry self-centered politicians of Nepal.

Visa issues for PM Prachanda

As per the reports Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has plans to visit the US to address the United Nation’s General Assembly in New York, this September. Nevertheless, considering that Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda is still carrying a US terrorist tag and the question is, will a guerilla head turned Prime Minister of Nepal get the needed US VISA to attend the UN assembly?

The following is a quote from official website, US Department of State. “Although the Government of Nepal no longer considers the Maoists to be terrorists, the U.S. Government’s designation of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) as a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist” organization under Executive Order 13224 and its inclusion on the "Terrorist Exclusion List" pursuant to the Immigration and Nationality Act remain in effect. These two designations make Maoists excludable from entry into the United States and bar U.S. citizens from transactions such as contribution of funds, goods, or services to, or for the benefit of, the Maoists.” As per the above quote, Mr. Prachanda is not eligible to receive the required US visa and it is interesting to watch how this issue will be addressed and treated at the US Embassy.

Do's and dont's for ministers

•To publicise the details of property at the time of joining and leaving the government

•To abstain from irregular and corrupt behaviour, shun nepotism and favouritism

• To follow democratic norms and principles

•Not to hold any other income generating post

•Not to accept expensive gifts and economic benefits from anybody

•To follow austerity measures

•Not to embark on useless and expensive foreign visits

•Not to publicly air opinions that are at odd with cabinet decisions

•To make political appointments without any biases

•To resign when recalled by respective parties

•To quit if found guilty of irregularities

•Not to treat subordinate bodies as places of cadre recruitment

Governance code •Govt to mobilise security bodies with the consensus of political parties involved in the government •To forge consensus on matters of national importance •To implement decisions taken in political joint coordination committee •Cabinet to review its performance at least once a week All of the above sounds very nice to hear and listen to but is it only going to be on papers or will it actually be implemented is the question of the day.

what a big heart

quote from Nepal news, "Meanwhile, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has offered his half-month salary to the flood victims." Is that a joke??? Just half months salary to the flood victims from the Prime Minister. After having looted the poor people of the country for almost a decade is that all the PM could come up with?? The PM should have a bigger heart than that. After all he is still the supremo of the party whose earnings were made from extortion, kidnapping, looting and forcefully occupying others property. This is the time to use some of those funds to repay the people.

America’s foreign policy as per Prachanda

The Maoist chief as well as the newly elected Prime Minister of Nepal Prachanda is on tape talking about the American foreign policy and the following video shows what he had to say.

The newly elected PM should firstly understand that he is heading a country that is run mostly by foreign aid and foreign donations and he should be careful about what he says about the donors. He bluntly says that America’s foreign policy is not good and he refers to Iraq, Afghanistan and of course, themselves. His references are associated with problems with terrorism the world is currently fighting. Is he trying to advocate on behalf of these terrorist groups by calling America’s policy a bad one. The Maoist rebel leader should also understand that the major foreign currency earning industry of the country is the Nepalese people living and working abroad. A major portion of these people live and work in the United States and money is flowing to Nepal from this source as well. This is a very friendly policy towards Nepal and when leaders speak they should speak for the country and the countrymen and not for their own interest.

First PM of Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal

The country now has elected a New Prime Minister to head the Government of Nepal. The mathematical game has finally come to an end with the Maoists backed up by UML and MJF bagged 464 votes out of 577 casted. The same UML and MJF who were holding hands with Nepali Congress and also backed them to elect the President suddenly changed course and joined the Rebels this time. Maybe the NC was not able to offer these opportunists what the Maoists have offered. Or they went by the saying, “blood is thicker than water” and the red-blooded communist brothers united to achieve their goals. Not to forget that Mr. Upendra Yadav himself was a rebel associated with the Maoists. Though an accurate independent figure about the economic costs of war is not available it is estimated the damage to infrastructure alone amounted to US $ 246 million. The Maoists have used threats, extortion and killings to get their way. They have killed poor, innocent people and those who have criticized their top leaders. The war has encouraged and spread a culture of intimidation and violence, which is bound to have a long-term impact in a society which was credited for peace and harmony. Prachanda and others have defended these tactics, arguing that during war such incidents do occur and that they regret mistakes. But just regretting does not solve the problem cause even today the Nepalese people are suffering from the crimes committed by the Maoists. Only announcing that PLA is inactive and that the YCL will be dissolved won’t work. All activities of the YCL has to be completely stopped and the PLA has to surrender and turn in all the arms and ammunition they have in their possession.

Many find it difficult to agree. They argue that Prachanda and many top Maoist leaders are, in fact, more feudal and hypocritical than those whom they regard as such. What can be expected of a personality like Prichard’s, holder of Bachelors degree in Agriculture, turned a school teacher, turned a rebel, turned a terrorist and finally turned Prime Minister. The summary of his journey is just like the old time fairy tale where the monster cat declares to go on a pilgrim stating that he gave up killings.

miss Nepal beauty pageant

A contest to choose the next Miss Nepal has been postponed indefinitely after women assembly members from the Maoist party criticized the beauty pageant. The former rebels said they opposed a contest where women were treated as objects of entertainment. The so-called "Hidden Treasure" contest scheduled for 7 August had been called off, event organizers confirmed. "We won't let the event take place. We don't need such a thing in the new federal democratic republic of Nepal where women are treated as objects of entertainment," Maoist MP Amrita Thapa was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency. Ms Thapa said the Maoists would not allow an "anti-women" event inspired by "capitalist" elements. "Such contests send the wrong message to society as they emphasize physical beauty rather than intellectual ability," another female Maoist told the agency. Contest organizer Girendra Man Rajbanshi told the BBC: "The event was originally scheduled for 7 August, but we have postponed it for the time being. We are currently in the process of holding dialogue with them, so the contest has only been postponed for some time." The beauty pageant has been criticized by various Maoist-affiliated groups and women activists who have vowed to disrupt it at any cost. The 20 young women who have been shortlisted for the contest are also defending it, saying it did not promote obscenity and empowered the winners. Miss Nepal is one of the few beauty pageants in the world that does not have a swim suit round out of deference to the conservative national culture. The pageant has also been championed by Nepal's "daughter-of-the-soil". Maoist women's leader and lawmaker Amrita Thapa should be asked as to why they have a problem over the programme when the contestants' parents encouraged them to take part. Ms Thapa and the protesters of the beauty pageant show should be asked why they do not protest against far more serious issues like growing trafficking of Nepali women, prostitution and the proliferation of dance in the heart of the capital where nude shows go on every single day.