Friday, September 14, 2007

Madhesi Movement: Delicate Turn


My first choice would be for the Maoists and the seven parties to reach a compromise position such that the Maoists agree to wait until after the election to declare the country a republic, and the seven parties agree to hold completely proportional elections to the constituent assembly.

Completely proportional elections to the constituent assembly is still the first and still possible option for the Madhesi Movement. But the best can not be made the enemy of the good, and the Madhesi Movement must gear up to contest the November election even under the current mixed arrangement.

My first choice would be that the eight party government in Kathmandu engages Jwala and Goit in respectful dialogue. I don't see that materialzing. So my second choice option is for there to be a Madhesi Alliance of the Madhesi parties like the Sadbhavana and the MJF, and for that Alliance to reach out to Jwala and Goit. The Sadbhavana's call for a ceasefire on the part of Jwala and Goit is a welcome move, but it is incomplete.

The Madhesi Alliance will have to reach out to Jwala, Goit and all the other armed Madhesi groups and publicly denounce the government for not engaging them in respectful dialogue. The Alliance should seek a unilateral ceasefire from the armed groups and also moral support for the Madhesi Alliance and its Ek Madhesh, Ek Pradesh slogan. In return the Madhesi Alliance should promise Jwala and Goit that the Madhesi Alliance will go into power after the November election and it will hold respectful dialogue with them. Respectful dialogue means all their cadres will be released, all court cases against them will be taken back, all their soldiers will be put into cantonments, to be potentially integrated into the Nepal Army.

The Madhesi Alliance should make public a stance on the Nepal Army, that it wants at least one third of the Nepal Army to be Madhesi in composition.

Rajendra Mahto

The Sadbhavana just had its convention. Not everyone attended, but the convention did have its quorum. More than 80% attended. That puts Mahto in a very strong position. He will be tempted to rub Tripathy's nose in the dust. He should restrain himself and keep open the option to make peace.

Making peace would mean leaving open the option to invite some of the dissidents into the party's central committee, and keeping open the option to issue them tickets for the impending election.

Such moves would naturally have to be preceded by mediation and peace talks.

Madhesi leaders who ask for major sacrifices from the Madhesi masses should be able to show to that same mass that they are capable of getting along with each other, that they are capable of settling minor disputes among themselves.

The leader who is in a strong position must help the leader in weak position to save face.

Upendra Yadav

Like Mahto is strong inside the Sadbhavana, Yadav is strong inside the MJF. Yadav must make room to make peace with his dissidents as well. Bishwas must be brought back into the fold.

The Sadbhavana was not at the forefront of the Madhesi Kranti, the MJF was. But then that is why the MJF is larger than the Sadbhavana right now. The MJF must exhibit magnanimity and be open to the idea of forging a Madhesi Alliance with the Sadbhavana. The agenda would be simple.
  1. Ek Madhesh, Ek Pradesh.
  2. Respectful peace talks with Jwala, Goit and the others.
The Madhesi Alliance would mean both parties would still compete with each other for the 240 seats for the proportional part of the election. But they would make seat adjustments for the seats to be elected directly. It could be a 100% adjustment. Or it could be partial. A 100% seat adjustment would mean if a constituency has a MJF candidate, it, by rule, does not have a Sadbhavana candidate, and vice versa. If they manage a 100% adjustment, they could go for a 50-50 formula, or they could split it 40-60 in the MJF's favor, or something in the vicinity.

The MJF and the Sadbhavana must think ahead. They must make some strategic moves. Because the November Election is going to be bigger than the Madhesi Kranti and the April Revolution put together.

A Madhesi Wave must be created. All Madhesi leaders of all Madhesi parties must look united to the Madhesi masses. That is how you create a Madhesi Wave.

Simple Majority Will Form Government, Two Third Majority Will Write Constitution

The unified Congress will be one block inside the assembly. The RPP and the RJP might be part of it. The left parties will be another block. The Madhesi Alliance must emerge as the third, indispensable block. The reality inside the assembly should be that neither the Congress nor the communists can either form the next government or write the next constitution without the support of the Madhesi Alliance.

Jwala, Goit Must Think Hard

This is the time to act wisely. Both might and have been tempted to go solo. They have already made public their intentions to disrupt the polls. They must ask themselves if that is the best move they can make for the Madhesi Movement.

I disagree with them. The best move would be to form a Madhesi Alliance of all Madhesi paties and create a Madhesi sweep during the November Election and form the next government and write a new constitution that creates a Madhesh state. Ek Madhesh, Ek Pradesh.

Reaching Out Is Not Easy

For Rajendra Mahto to reach out to Hridayesh Tripathy, for Upendra Yadav to reach to Kishor Kumar Bishwas, for Upendra Yadav to reach out to Rajendra Mahto, for Yadav, Mahto, Tripathy and Bishwas to reach out to Jwala and Goit, for Jwala and Goit to rein in their central leaders: all that is not going to be easy. But then that is what leadership is all about. You do the hard thing. You reach out.

Madhesi Alliance: No More Terai Band

That should be the new slogan: No More Terai Band. Terai Band hurts the Madhesis. It is time to take the Madhesi Movement off the streets and onto the campaign trail. It is time to take the Madhesi Movement to the election booth.

Goal: Create A Madhesi Wave

The slogan of Ek Madhesh, Ek Pradesh, and the organizational reality of a Madhesi Alliance will create such a wave.

Madhesi MPs

The Madhesi MPs in the big parties toyed with the idea of launching a regional party. Now looks like that is not happening. Both the Sadbhavana and the MJF must make some room for some of them defecting the big parties and wanting to join these two parties to contest the elections.

Federal National Democratic Forum: The Janajati Party
Time To Hit The Campaign Trail
Completely Proportional Election: Meeting Point With The Maoists
The Madhesi Cause Is On Fire: Put Out The Fire
To Do List For Sadbhavana And MJF
Goal: Federal Republic Of State Funded Parties
MJF Is For Republic, Land Reform, Dalit, Muslim, Janajati, Mahila Rights, And Small Or No Army
The MJF Must Stay Intact
The MJF Dispute: Got To Seek Middle Ground
No To Terrorism: Terai Army Is A Criminal Outfit
उपेन्द्र यादव: सरकार र फोरमबीच सम्झौता
The Madhesi MPs And The Idea Of A New Party
तराई बन्द नहीं संगठन िवस्तार किरए
जयप्रकाश गुप्ता: मधेस आन्दोलनका आग्रह

In The News

Prachanda says efforts are on for eight-party consensus NepalNews
PLA's movement is serious violation of agreement, says UNMIN
Anandidevi relieved of her position by Mahato-led NSP 221 representatives of convention passed the motion unanimously. ..... The closed-door session of the convention also passed the new statute of the party that decreased the size of central committee from 63 to 41. Twenty of the central committee members will be elected directly through the convention while others will be nominated. ....... The party has proposed three regional and one national parliament in the new federal Nepal with three autonomous states – Mountains, Hills and Terai. .... Mahato is expected to become new chief of the organisation.
RPP puts off convention again
JTMM-Jwala also vows to disrupt CA election JTMM-Jwala announced various programmes, which include shutdown strikes, to make sure CA elections do not take place in Terai on the scheduled date. ..... Saying that the CA election was just a sham to deceive the Madheshi people, JTMM-Jwala has said that it won’t let it take place under any circumstances by waging an intense struggle. The armed groups has also warned that it would take “physical action” against those taking part in the election campaigning in Terai. ....... The announcement has also come a day after Nepal Sadbhawana Party (Anandidevi) said it is going to build a joint front of Madheshi parties keeping in mind the upcoming CA election -- so as to form a separate Madheshi government-- and called upon both factions of the JTMM to declare ceasefire till the elections and opt for come for talks.
Close session starts in NSP special convention The party leaders are expected to submit organisational reports at the session to forge future strategies for the party. ..... Earlier, on Thursday, the convention kicked off amidst intense dispute between rival faction. ..... Security has been beefed up in and around the convention venue amidst fears of violent clashes between the rival factions. ..... chairperson of 11 of the 12 sister units of the party had also participated in the inaugural ceremony. ...... Addressing the inaugural programme party vice chairman and Commerce Minister Rajendra Mahato claimed that Madhesi parties would soon go on to build a joint front keeping in view the constituent assembly election to form a separate Madhes government. He said the party is also in talks with armed terai groups like Jai Krishna Goit and Jwala Singh led factions of Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM) for the aforementioned front. ...... "We call upon the armed groups for dialogue," Minister Mahato said, "If they don't want to come to talks then we request them to call a unilateral cease-fire until the constituent assembly election are held." ..... Mahato said that only if the armed groups call a ceasefire they would be able to empower the Madhesi people in a peaceful manner. ..... Mahato was also of the opinion that since they had agreed to hold the special general convention of the party within three months when they agreed for party unity "holding the special general convention was necessary." .... NSP's senior vice-chairman Laxman Lal Karna said that the new constitution would be drafted in favour of the Madhesi people only if the Madhesi candidates are victorious in Madhes.

PLA combatants come out of cantonments to demonstrate NepalNews
Parties are in election mood, we are in agitation mood, says Badal Clarifying that the proposed roundtable conference had not been cancelled, he said that they would hold it before September 18. "There was some lack of homework on our part. And there were some more organisations who had shown interest to take part in the roundtable. That is why we put it off," he said.
Yadav hits back at Maoist attempt to sow divide in MJF Reacting to the Maoist invitation to the dissident faction of his party to attend their roundtable conference, Upendra Yadav, president of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF), has accused the Maoists of trying to sow divide in MJF. Talking to his party cadres in Inaruwa on Thursday, Yadav said that the Maoist move had made it difficult for MJF to have any kind of cooperation with them. Alleging the dissident faction led by Kishore Bishwas of smearing the image of MJF, Yadav said the Maoists' roundtable conference was a meaningless exercise. Yadav said monarchy and Maoists were the two biggest enemies of MJF. He called for his cadres to actively participate in the Constituent Assembly (CA) election.
Government signs 9-point pact with Chure Bhawar
Maoists' roundtable meet suspended
Mahato faction proceeds with general convention
Announcing republic before polls not a legitimate choice: Bijukchhe

Maoists' roundtable meet suspended NepalNews suspended because their internal preparations are incomplete. They have said the roundtable will be held soon. .... Dr. Baburam Bhattarai had said that the roundtable would end the current political impasse in the country. ..... Their sudden decision to suspend the roundtable meeting has come in the wake of protests by other parties who have urged Maoists not to explore resolutions of their issues outside of the eight party alliance.
Mahato faction proceeds with party convention Only chairperson Anandidevi and general secretary Shyamsundar Gupta of the 13-member Central Work Performance Committee (CWPC) of the party are not participating in the general convention. Likewise, a majority – altogether 35 - of the 49-member National Working Committee of the party are taking part in the convention. They include senior vice-chairman Laxman Lal Karna, vice-chairmen Mahato and Narsingh Chaudhari, general secretary Anil Kumar Jha and spokesperson Sarita Giri. ..... "a few NSP members" including Hridayesh Tripathy were against holding the special convention because it wasn't favorable time for them.
Emulating a Singaporean Model: Overhauling leadership first
Jwala's men kill one in Janakpur Stepping up their armed activities, Jwala Singh-led faction of JTMM has resorted to a killing spree in Terai. A day after their cadres mercilessly hacked to death a school principal in Siraha district, they shot to death one employee of local brick kiln in Dhanusha district. Kedar Prasad Giri, 35, an accountant at the brick kiln in Baghchauda has been shot to death. A central member of JTMM-J Rajan Mukti has claimed responsibility for his murder.
Jwala's men murder schoolteacher in Siraha a group led by JTMM-J platoon commander Raju Singh abducted Arun Kumar Shrestha, the headmaster of Bishnupurkatti High School, out of his house in Bishnupurkatti; brought him to a sugarcane field some one kilometre away from his house and stabbed him to death. ..... The JTMM-J cadres also clashed with the local people who tried to stop them from abducting Shrestha. ..... The group has said Shrestha was killed for involving in the publicity campaign for constituent assembly elections and refusing to pay ‘tax’ to its ‘district government’. ...... JTMM-J Siraha district in-charge Tufan Singh Bidhrohi telephoned local media persons and claimed responsibility for the killing. ....... Of late, the two factions of JTMM have intensified targeted killings, abductions and forceful seizure of lands of the leaders of mainstream political parties and local landlords in Terai districts.

महतो पक्ष्ा दह्रो Kantipur वीरगन्ज, भदौ २६ - सद्भावना -आनन्दीदेवी) को महाधिवेशन प्रचारका लागि सहरभरि टाँसिएका पोस्टरमा पार्टी संस्थापक गजेन्द्रनारायण सिंहसँगै उनकै श्रीमती आनन्दीदेवीको तस्बिर छ । तर बिहीबारदेखि सुरु हुने महाधिवेशनले अध्यक्ष आनन्दीदेवी सिंहलाई हटाउने सम्भावना बढ्दै गएको छ । महाधिवेशन नगर्ने अध्यक्ष पक्षभन्दा गर्ने उपाध्यक्ष राजेन्द्र महतो पक्ष बलियो देखिएको छ राष्ट्रिय कार्यसम्पादन समितिका १३ मध्ये अध्यक्ष आनन्दीदेवी र महासचिव श्यामसुन्दर गुप्ताबाहेक ११ जना महाधिवेशनमा उपस्थित छन् । यस्तै ४९ सदस्यीय राष्ट्रिय कार्यसमिति सदस्यमध्ये वरिष्ठ उपाध्यक्ष लक्ष्मणलाल कर्ण, उपाध्यक्षहरू महतो र नरसिंह चौधरी, महामन्त्री अनिलकुमार झा, प्रवक्ता सरिता गिरीलगायत ३५ सदस्य आएका छन् । महाधिवेशन प्रतिनिधिहरू आउने क्रम जारी छ । अध्यक्ष आनन्दीदेवीविरुद्घ यसअघि नै अविश्वास प्रस्ताव दर्ता भइसकेको छ । पार्टी विधानअनुसार महाधिवेशन प्रतिनिधिको साधारण बहुमतले अध्यक्षलाई हटाउन सक्नेछ, जुन लगभग निश्चित छ । अध्यक्ष पक्षधर महामन्त्री गुप्ताले महाधिवेशन बिथोल्ने धम्की दिए पनि पार्टीको स्थानीय तह महाधिवेशनका लागि दिलोज्यान लगाएर भिडेकाले गाह्रो पर्नेछ । महतोले दुई-चार जनाले चाहँंदैमा पार्टीको विशेष महाधिवेशन नरोकिने बताएका छन् । रिपोर्टस् क्लब वीरगन्जको कार्यक्रममा उनले आफू अनुकूल नहुने सम्भावना देखेर केही नेताहरू म्ाहाधिवेशनको विरोधमा लागेको बताए । अध्यक्षद्वारा विस्तारित बैठक आह्वान काठमाडौं- सद्भावना पार्टी -आनन्दीदेवी) की राष्ट्रिय अध्यक्ष आनन्दीदेवी सिंहले सोमबार राष्ट्रिय कार्यसमितिको विस्तारित बैठक बोलाएकी छन् । बानेश्वरस्थित पार्टी केन्द्रीय कार्यालयमा बोलाइएको उक्त बैठकमा महाधिवेशन तयारी समिति र आगामी महाधिवेशनको तिथि घोषणा हुने महासचिव श्यामसुन्दर गुप्ताले बुधबार बताए । यसैबीच सद्भावनाको काठमाडौं उपत्यका समितिका अध्यक्ष मुरलीप्रसाद सिंह, उपाध्यक्ष निरन्जन पौडेल र ललितपुर जिल्ला कार्यसमितिका अध्यक्ष रामप्रसाद भट्टले बुधबार संयुक्त विज्ञप्ति जारी गरी बिहीबारदेखि वीरगन्जमा हुने भनिएको महाधिवेशन विधान र पार्टी कार्यकर्ताको भावनाविपरीत भएको दाबी गरेका छन् । उता सप्तरीका ५५ जना महाधिवेशन प्रतिनिधिले दुवै पक्ष एकजुट नभएसम्म महाधिवेशनमा भाग नलिने विज्ञप्तिमार्फत जानकारी गराएका छन् ।
माओवादीले 'तत्काल' सरकार छाड्ने नेकपा -एकीकृत), मालेमा, संयुक्त माक्र्सवादी, कणर्ाली गणतान्त्रिक मोर्चा, नयाँ जनवादी लिग, मुस्लिम गणतान्त्रिक मोर्चा ...... आठ दलसँग सम्बन्ध नरहने र नयाँ शक्तिबीच ध्रुवीकरण हुने ..... 'माओवादीले राखेका २२ बुँदा मागमध्ये चुनावअघि गणतन्त्र घोषणा र पूर्ण समानुपातिक निर्वाचन प्रणालीबाहेक सबै पूरा गर्न सात दल सहमत छन्,' वैद्यलाई उद्धृत गर्दै अर्का सहभागीले भने- 'मुख्य दुई मागै पूरा नहुने भएपछि आन्दोलनको विकल्प रहेन ।' ...... मधेसी जनअधिकार फोरमको विद्रोही समूह, लिम्बू र तामाङ लगायत जातीय संगठनलाई समेत आह्वान गरिए पनि तिनको सहभागिताको टुंगो नलागेको ...... तत्काल गणतन्त्र, पूर्ण समानुपातिक निर्वाचन प्रणाली, स्वायत्ततासहित संघीय राज्य चाहने सबै शक्तिबीच ध्रुवीकरणका लागि गोलमेच आह्वान गरिएको .... रामचन्द्र पौडेलले 'माग त हाम्रा पनि छन्, घरजग्गा फिर्ता, विस्थापितको पुनःस्थापनलगायत'
तराईका समस्या समाधान जरुरी’ निर्वाचनका लागि शान्ति आवश्यक रहेको बताउँदै तराईका समस्या समाधानप्रति दलहरूको ध्यान जानुपर्ने ...... 'निर्विघ्न चुनाव गराउनका लागि तराईका समस्या समाधान र देशलाई गृहयुद्धको भुमरीबाट जोगाउने हो भने संविधानसभा निर्वाचन हुनुपर्छ ।'
यादव पार्टी विस्तारमा व्यस्त मधेसमा घट्दो जनाधार र पार्टीविरुद्ध हुन थालेको भौतिक तथा राजनीतिक आक्रमणको मुकाविला गर्न माओवादी केन्द्रीय नेता मातृका यादव यतिखेर तराई केन्दि्रत कार्यक्रममा व्यस्त छन् । ....... एक सातादेखि भूमिगत शैलीमा जनकपुरमा रहेका मिथिला उपराज्य समिति इन्चार्ज यादवले पाँच जिल्लाका पार्टी नेतासँग सामूहिक तथा छुट्टाछुट्टै रूपमा भेटेका छन् । मिथिला उपराज्य समितिको बैठकको नाउँमा भेला भएका सप्तरी, सिरहा, धनुषा, महोत्तरी र सर्लाहीका जिल्ला कमिटी सदस्यहरूसँगको भेटमा संविधानसभा निर्वाचनको अवस्था मूल्यांकन, जानु नै पर्ने भयो भने अपनाउनुपर्ने रणनीति तथा मधेसीको चाहनाबारे छलफल भएको छ । सरकार-फोरम वार्ताको विश्लेषण तथा मधेसमा यसको प्रभाव, जनाधारबारे पनि छलफल भएको स्रोतले बतायो । ...... नवगठित मिथिला उपराज्य समिति बैठक भइरहेकै बेला जनकपुर उद्योग व्यापार संघ र माओवादी निकट गार्मेन्ट मजदुर एवं वाईसीएलबीच झडपसमेत भएको थियो । पाँच दिनसम्म माओवादीविरुद्ध जनकपुर बजार बन्द रह्यो । व्यापारीले माओवादी र वाईसीएल विरुद्ध प्रदर्शनसमेत गरे । ...... आफ्नै गृहनगरमा पार्टीविरुद्ध भएको उग्र प्रदर्शनको जवाफ उनले प्रदर्शनकै माध्यमले दिए । प्रदर्शनलाई शिक्षा तथा खेलकुद राज्यमन्त्री मंगलसिंह राठौरविरुद्ध केन्दि्रत गरिएको थियो भने पार्टीविरुद्ध लागेका व्यावसायीलाई हदैसम्मको धम्की दिइएको थियो । त्यसले युवा व्यावसायीलाई आक्रोशित बनाएको छ भने मुखिया र व्यापारी डराएका छन् । ...... । "संविधानसभा जतिसक्दो चाँडो होस् भन्ने चाहन्छौं तर कस्मिरको जस्तो चुनावको अर्थ रहन्न .... बैठकले पाँच जिल्लामा नयाँ नेतृत्व चयन गरेको छ
मधेसी दल खोल्ने योजना काठमाडौ, भदौ २६ - निर्वाचन आयोगले दल दर्ताको म्याद नथपेकाले मधेसका नेताहरूले बेग्लै पार्टी गठन गर्ने योजना अवरुद्ध भएको एक सक्रिय योजनाकारले बताएका छन् । कांग्रेस सांसद तथा पूर्वमन्त्री जयप्रकाश गुप्ताले दलहरूसँग सम्बद्ध मधेसका नेताहरू मिलेर छुट्टै दल गठनको योजना बीचैमा रोकिएको बताए । 'जेठमा आयोगले दल दर्ताको सूचना गर्दा पार्टी गठन टुंगोमा पुगेको थिएन । चुनाव सरेपछि योजना परिपक्व भएको हो,' उनले कान्तिपुरसित भने- 'आयोगले दोस्रोपटक दल दर्ताको अवसर नदिएकाले त्यत्तिकै अडकिएको छ ।' उनले पार्टी विधान, दल दर्ताका लागि आवश्यक १० हजार हस्ताक्षर र घोषणापत्र तयार भइसकेको बताए । दल दर्ताको म्याद थप गर्न अनुरोध गर्दै निवेदन परे पनि आयोगले दल दर्ताको सूचना प्रकाशित गरेको छैन । आयोगका आयुक्त दोलखबहादुर गुरुङले निर्वाचनको तयारीमा जुटिसकेकाले दल दर्ताको म्याद थप्ने सम्भावना नरहेको बताए । उनले आयोगमा ६१ वटा दल दर्ता भएको र संविधानसभा चुनावमा तिनै दलले मात्रै मान्यता पाउने बताए । एक साताअघि रामेश्वर शाहले दल दर्ताको म्याद थप गर्न अनुरोध गर्दै निवेदन दिएका थिए । गुप्ताका अनुसार आयोगले त्यस्तो अवसर नदिए अहिले भएकै पार्टीबाट संविधानसभामा सहभागी हुने रणनीति मधेसी नेताहरूले लिएका छन् एमाले केन्द्रीय सदस्य रघुवीर महासेठले क्षेत्रीय पार्टी खुल्न सक्ने सम्भावना स्वीकार्दै 'राष्ट्रिय दलहरूले अझै पनि मधेसका मुद्दा उपेक्षा गरे क्षेत्रीय पार्टी खुल्न सक्छ' भने । एमालेकै महेन्द्र यादवले पनि पार्टी नेतृत्वसँग मधेसका मुद्दामा आफ्नो असन्तुष्टि रहेको बताए ।
निर्वाचनको प्रतिरोध गर्छौंः गोइत
संविधानसभा निर्वाचनका पूर्वाधार तराई/मधेसका जनताले उठाइरहेका पहिचान तथा राज्यमा स्वामित्वको सवाललाई सरकारले पारदर्शी वार्ता प्रक्रियाको माध्यमबाट जनविश्वास प्राप्त गर्नेगरी सम्बोधन गर्न आवश्यक छ । तसर्थ सरकारले त्यहाँ सक्रिय सबै समूहसित वार्ता गरी शान्ति स्थापनाका लागि पहल गर्नुपर्छ साथै जीवन कष्टकर हुँदै गएको मध्यतराईको वर्तमान अवस्थालाई रोक्न सबै राजनैतिक दल संवेदनशील हुनु आवश्यक छ ।

Talks with Tharu body end inconclusively Kantipur the United Tharu National Front- Nepal (UTNF-N) ..... The UTNF-N has put forth a 23-point demand, of which four are significant political demands. Rest of the demands are related to implementation of commitments made in the past. ..... The four political demands include a federal state structure based on caste, region and linguistic geography with the right to self-determination, fully proportionate representation of all in Constituent Assembly (CA) castes based on their population, scrapping of the government announcement to declare 20 districts of the Tarai as Madhesh and holding a roundtable conference of all disgruntled groups before the CA poll. ....... a 15-member talks team of the UTNF-N including coordinator Yogendra Prasad Tharu represented the agitating party.
Maoist driver, bodyguard flee with gun, car The personal bodyguard and driver of Maoist central member and former minister Matrika Yadav ran away along with cash, a gun and a party vehicle, Tuesday morning. According to Shivaram Yadav, Kathmandu coordinator of Maoist sister wing Madhesi Mukti Morcha (MMM), bodyguard 'Sartha' and driver Binod Kumar Yadav (Bibek) made off with Rs. 500,000 in cash, one AK-47 rifle and the vehicle, after taking Matrika Yadav to a party function in Janakpur. According to party sources, the duo entered Bihar, India through Hanumannagar transit point in Siraha at 11:30 a.m. the same day. Bibek, a former military commander of the Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha-Goit faction(JTMM-G), had defected from the JTMM-G in similar fashion nearly a year ago. He had left the group, taking with him three SMG rifles, three muskets, a local-made pistol and two other weapons before joining the Maoists.
‘Use force against terai criminal activity’
JTMM-Goit announces Terai bandh coinciding with CA polls
MMT Calls Off Tarai Bandh Himalayan Times The Madhesi Mukti Tigers on Wednesday withdrew the indefinite general strike it had called in the Tarai. Central member of the MMT Sukh Dev Singh said the bandh was withdrawn in view of the problems faced by the general public, students, businessmen and transport entrepreneurs. The group had called the general strike on September 7.
Maoist roundtable conference begins today Leaders of SPA, fringe left parties ‘invited’ ..... NC, CPN-UML yet to receive invites ..... beginning tomorrow at Hotel Malla. .... Amrit Kumar Bohara said, adding: “Objective of the roundtable is unclear. Relevance of the roundtable conference was over the moment dissolved House of Representatives was revived through the second Jana Andolan.” ........ Chakra Prasad Bastola .. “Our party may not participate in the conference even if it receives the invitation. We want to settle all key issues through eight-party meetings, not from other processes.” ..... the party had not invited the groups such as Jwala Singh and Jaya Krishna Goit-led Janatantrik Tarai Mukti Morcha (JTMM) who were engaged in violence. ..... they would table the party’s 22-point charter for discussion during the roundtable and agenda from other groups would also be equally entertained. He said the roundtable conference would chiefly dwell on the issue of declaring the country a republic before the constituent assembly election and proportional representation system for assembly polls. He said the conference would also discuss the possibility of launching a joint peaceful movement to press for a republic before the polls and proportional representation system of election. ...... Ananta, CPN-Maoist deputy commander, today said his party would break all previous agreements, including the 12-point understanding, signed with the seven-party alliance after the party forms a common minimum programme with the parties and factions supporting republic. ..... would culminate in the formation of a front of the like-minded parties and factions to press for republic through a peaceful movement. ...... “We might even consider walking out of the parliament after walking out of the government,” he said. ..... urged Prime Minister Girija Prasad Khanal to immediately call the meeting of the eight parties, saying the constituent assembly elections without the participation of the Maoists would be “tasteless.” “The PM must take the initiative to avoid split in the eight parties ....... “The reason for all the current crises is the lack of capable leadership.”
Govt-Janajati pact: PM in the dark “We cannot wait too long (for the pact to be implemented),” Dr Gurung said, adding that they would launch protest programmes if the government failed to implement the agreement soon.


Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Federal National Democratic Forum: The Janajati Party


"My father's right hand does not know what my father's left hand is doing."
-- Uday Hussein on Saddam Hussein
PM Koirala says he is unaware about govt-NFIN agreement

Federal National Democratic Forum

Federal National Democratic Forum: that is the umbrella of the Rai, Limbu and Tamang parties that have been agitating for completely proportional elections to the constituent assembly. I think they should register as one party, the Federal National Democratic Forum. That way they will have the option to emerge as the party for all Janajatis, and not just the three listed groups. The name is also neutral enough that it can have a national reach. It can go into the Terai, it can hope to attract some progressive Bahun Chhetris.

And there is an urgent need for a Dalit party. They need a party of their own more than any other group in the country. Mayawati of Uttar Pradesh is a good role model. How about Dalit Forum? Would that be a good name?

Madhesi Janadhikar Forum. Federal National Democratic Forum. Dalit Adhikar Forum. That way you are going to end up with a strong Forum Alliance in the constituent assembly.

Roundtable Conference

I think the Maoists are doing the country a huge favor by holding a roundtable conference with about a dozen ethnic and regional organizations.

Armed Madhesi Groups

The roadmap is clear. You treat the Madhesi Maoists like you treated the Pahadi Maoists: with respect. You release all their cadres languishing in jail. You take back all cases filed against them. You put all their soldiers into cantonments. And then you get them to go contest the November election that you agree to hold on a completely proportional formula.

Goit just announced a four day Terai Band starting from November 20. I think the Band will happen if the political paralysis continues. And then you are looking at chaos: further political paralysis, further lawlessness.

Republic Now

What the heck.

Completely Proportional Elections

That will bring into fold all the unarmed ethnic, regional and Dalit organizations.

Respectful Dialogue With The Armed Madhesi Groups

We have done this before, with the Pahadi Maoists. We can do it again. We already have a well-oiled peace infrastructure in place.

November Fiasco

If these steps are not taken, instead of a November Election, we are looking at a November Fiasco. It is not going to be hard for Goit, Jwala and the others to make sure the election does not take place in the Terai. All they have to do is call for a Terai Band, like they already did.

In The News

Koirala, Deuba meet concludes; party unification ‘like’ to be announced on Thursday Kantipur
Maoist demands must be addressed within next few days: Speaker
JTMM-Goit announces Terai bandh coinciding with CA polls
PM Koirala reiterates his commitment to hold CA elections
Surya Nepal shut down following continued protests by the workers demanding permanent status for the last two days. .... Dabur Nepal ... Before that, the company was forced to halt productions on August 10 as well following the Maoist affiliated trade union's strike.
Maoists making joke of democracy: MPRF Madhesi People's Rights Forum (MPRF) Chairman Updenra Yadav Wednesday said it was disappointing that the ministers in the current government were themselves making statements against the upcoming Constituent Assembly elections. ...... Yadav is in Duhabi, the home village of rebel MPRF leader Kishor Kumar Biswas who had come down heavily on the government-MPRF 22-point agreement, to lead a victory rally in support of the agreement. ........ He also said that the government was not able to create an environment to hold the CA elections on the scheduled date. .... "First, there should be unity among the eight parties," Yadav said, "Then the elections can be conducted in more than one phase, if necessary." "The army could be also deployed (during the CA elections on November 22)," said Yadav.
CA elections monitoring committee organizing all-party gathering in Biratnagar

Speaker Nemwang for immediate dialogue on Maoist demands NepalNews the top leaders of the eight-party alliance should open dialogue on the 22-point demands put forward by the CPN (Maoist). ..... The Speaker also hinted that he was ready for announcement of republic - the key Maoist demand - from the House if the eight parties agreed on it. ..... the Maoists are organising a roundtable conference in Kathmandu Thursday involving some of the ruling allies, the dissident faction of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum, indigenous groups, Dalit organisations and civil society representatives
Koirala, Deuba discuss unity
Maoists to hold roundtable with around dozen organisations The Maoists are preparing to hold roundtable meeting with around one dozen ethnic and regional organisations and other interest groups from Thursday. ........ "We are holding the roundtable to end the current political impasse in the country," said Dr. Baburam Bhattarai. According to him, the Maoists will discuss issues of common interest as well as their 22-point demands at the roundtable. ....... Limbuwan groups, dissident group of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF), ethnic organisations and leftist outfits. ..... Federal National Democratic Forum, a network of Limbuwan, Khumbuwan and other groups, have asked the Maoists to first walk out of the government to have an effective roundtable meeting.
PM Koirala says he is unaware about govt-NFIN agreement PM Koirala expressed his unawareness about the agreement, on Tuesday morning, when a delegation of NFIN led by its president Pasang Sherpa went to Baluwatar to submit a memo requesting the government to implement the agreement. ...... The 20-point agreement reached in the talks held in Godavari, Lalitpur, included constitutional guarantee of at least one seat to each indigenous group in the constituent assembly. ....... Sherpa said he was surprised with the PM's remarks and said it showed that the government lacked sensitivity to implement the agreement with ethnic communities.
Govt-Tharu Morcha talks inconclusive Samyukta Tharu Rastriya Mukti Morcha .... guarantee of ‘Tharuwan state’ after the constituent assembly election and proportional electoral system based on ethnicity. .... Yogendra Tharu ..... Ram Chandra Poudel ... Gyanendra Karki and Ram Chandra Yadav
JTMM-Goit vows to disrupt CA polls Even as Maoists gear up for a nationwide protest movement to create 'conducive environment' for constituent assembly polls, the Jantantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM, Goit faction) has announced various programmes to make sure the polls are not held in Terai ......... “the Nepali rulers have no right to hold constituent assembly election in Terai.” ...... the group has also announced a four-day general strike in Terai starting November 20, along with various other protest programmes. ..... normal life in many parts of eastern Terai has been crippled due to strikes called by the JTMM, Madheshi Mukti Morcha and other agitating groups since past one week. The strikes have shut down most of the educational institutions, businesses and factories while vehicles remain largely off the road.
YCL demonstrates by brandishing Khukuris
NSP dispute intensifies, 14 leaders to boycott party convention The leaders demanded that a fresh date be declared to hold the convention in a conducive atmosphere after settling the party's internal dispute. ...... Bharat Bimal Yadav, Hridayesh Tripathi and Govinda Tharu. ..... Khusi Lal Mandal, Dambar Narayan Yadav, Bishwanath Prasad Shah, Dilip Kumar Singh, Gobinda Chaudhary, Sriman Narayan Mishra, Rameshwor Roy Yadav, Raj Narayan Sah, Satyawati Kurmi, Ram Babu Yadav, Sunil Rohit and Raman Kumar Pandey
Deuba says only technical matter remains for unification
Jwala's men murder schoolteacher in Siraha
Experts call for alternative development models



Time To Hit The Campaign Trail



Stepping out of the government might be a good tactical move on the part of the Maoists. It is more fun to campaign as the opposition. But instead of focusing on a "movement," they should turn their 22 points into election issues to be used against the parties in power.

They could legitimately take prime credit for the very idea of a constituent assembly. They could take credit for the impending republic. They could say they forced even the Congress to come out for a republic. They definitely can take a lot of credit for the idea of federalism. If it were not for the Maoists, the UML and the Congress would not have gone for federalism.

Of all the big parties, it is the Maoists who are out there in the front when it comes to Dalit and Janajati and women's rights. The Maoists are the only big party with a concrete map for federalism. They will reap some major electoral rewards because of that.

But above all, they must trust the people. The masses vastly outnumber their cadres. They should commit themselves to free, fair elections, and they should enter the campaign fray with gusto. They have some good orators, starting with Prachanda himself. They definitely have a superb nationwide party organization.

As long as the Maoists give the impression they are for rule of law, they are for multi-party democracy, that they are for ballot box power, not muscle power, I think they could do very well at the polls.

Declaration of republic can wait a few months. And you can not put too much stock in electoral procedure. The mixed election can work.

It is time to go to the people. It is the people who have the answers. It is the people who have the power. You go to them.

Rai Party, Limbu Party, Tamang Party, Dalit Party

The same applies to them. Got to go to the people.

MJF, Sadbhavana

Got to go to the people. Got to stay united, and got to go to the people.

April Revolution, Madhesi Kranti, November Election

The April Revolution was the first of its kind in world history. The Madhesi Kranti was more intense than the April Revolution. The November Election is going to be bigger than the April Revolution and the Madhesi Kranti put together.

In The News

सद्भावनामा हानथाप Kantipur काठमाडौं, भदौ २५ - नेपाल सद्भावना पार्टीका १४ नेताले महाधिवेशनमा भाग नलिने घोषणा गर्दै कार्यकर्तालाई पनि नजान आग्रह गरेका छन् । नेताहरूको सदस्यता निलम्बन गर्ने क्रम पनि जारी छ । ती नेताहरूले विवाद समाधान गरेर सहज वातावरणमा महाधिवेशन गर्न तिथि तोक्नु उचित हुने राय दिएका छन् । विज्ञप्ति निकाली भाग नलिने घोषणा गर्नेमा सांसदत्रय भरतविमल यादव, हृदयेश त्रिपाठी र गोविन्द थारू छन् । त्यस्तै वरिष्ठ नेता खुसीलाल मण्डल, केन्द्रीय सदस्यहरू डा. डम्बरनारायण यादव, सत्यवती कुर्मी, विश्वनाथप्रसाद साह, प्रचार विभाग प्रमुख श्रीमननारायण मिश्र छन् । पूर्वसांसद एवं केन्द्रीय सदस्य रामेश्वरराय यादव, पूवर् युवा मञ्च अध्यक्ष राजनारायण साह, दिलीपकुमार सिंह, विद्यार्थी मञ्चका राष्ट्रिय अध्यक्ष रामबाबु यादव, महोत्तरीका जिल्ला अध्यक्ष सुनिल रोहित, केन्द्रीय अनुशासन समितिका सचिव रमणकुमार पाण्डेयले पनि महाधिवेशनमा भाग नलिन आग्रह गरेका छन् । 'पार्टी एकताका लागि हामीले आ-आफ्ना समर्थकलाई समेत विवादित महाधिवेशनमा भाग नलिन आह्वान गरेका हौं,' सांसद भरतविमलले भने- 'हाम्रो एकमात्र लक्ष्य सद्भावना टुक्रिन नदिनु हो ।' महाधिवेशन तयारीकै लागि वीरगन्ज पुगेका वरिष्ठ उपाध्यक्ष कर्णले भने बिहीबार महाधिवेशन सुरु हुने बताएका छन् । उनले पाँच सय कार्यकर्ता वीरगन्जमा तयारीमा जुटिरहेको दाबी गरे । 'महाधिवेशन नीति र नेताको निर्णय गर्ने थलो हो,' उनलेे भने- 'गुनासो भएकाले समेत महाधिवेशनमा कुरा राख्नुपर्छ ।' उनले कार्यकर्तामा पकड भएका व्यक्तिले महाधिवेशनबाट आत्तिनुपर्ने स्थिति नरहेको बताए । यता केन्द्रीय कार्यालय कब्जा गरेर बसेका महासचिव श्यामसुन्दर गुप्ताले पनि बुधबार वीरगन्ज जाने योजना बनाएका छन् 'महाधिवेशन कुनै हालतमा हुन दिन्न,' उनले भने । उनले आफ्नै नेतृत्वमा कार्यकर्ताले महाधिवेशन गर्न नदिने दाबी गरे । अध्यक्ष आनन्दीदेवी सिंहले महाधिवेशन स्थगित भएको जानकारी गराइसकेकी छन् भने महतो पक्षले निर्धारित समयमै हुने भन्दै तयारी गरिरहेको छ । प्रवक्ता गिरी निलम्बित अध्यक्ष सिंहले प्रवक्ता सरिता गिरीलाई पार्टी हितविपरीत कार्य गरेको भन्दै मंगलबार साधारण सदस्यबाट समेत निलम्बन गरेकी छन् । यसअघि वरिष्ठ उपाध्यक्ष लक्ष्मणलाल कर्ण, उपाध्यक्ष तथा मन्त्री राजेन्द्र महतो, रामनारायण यादव र महासचिव अनिल झालाई निलम्बन गरिएको थियो । अकार् तिर महतो पक्षका वरिष्ठ उपाध्यक्ष कर्णको अध्यक्षतामा बसेको बैठकले महासचिव श्यामसुन्दर गुप्तालाई निलम्बन गरेको छ भने अध्यक्ष सिंहविरुद्ध अविश्वासको प्रस्ताव दर्ता गराएको छ ।
मलंगवामा फोरमको विजय जुलुस सर्लाही, भदौ २५ - सरकारसँग वार्ता सफल भएकोमा सोमबार मधेसी जनअधिकार फोरमले मलंगवामा विजय जुलुस प्रदर्शन गरेको छ । जुलुसमा फोरमका कार्यकर्ताले मधेसीको हितमा सरकारसँग भएको सम्झौताको स्वागत गर्दै नराबाजी गरे । जुलुस मलंगवा नगर परिक्रमा गरी जिल्ला विकास चोकमा सभामा परिणत भएको थियो । मधेसी अधिकारका लागि गरेको आन्दोलनका उपलब्धि उक्त सम्झौताबाट संस्थागत भएको वक्ताको भनाइ थियो । सभाका प्रमुख वक्ता फोरमका सदस्य कृष्णदेव यादवले २ सय ३८ वर्षपछि राज्य मधेसीलाई मूलधारमा जोड्न बाध्य भएको बताए । आफ्नो भाग्यरेखा आफैं कोर्ने संविधानसभाको अवसरलाई सफल पार्ने सबै मधेसीको दायित्व भएको उनले औंल्याए । उनले फोरम र सरकारको सम्झौतापछि असन्तुष्ट बनेका पक्षलाई समेत चुनावमा सँगै मिलेर सहभागी हुन आउन आग्रह गरे । जुलुस र सभामा उल्लेख्य सहभागिता थियो । सभामा फोरमका जिल्ला अध्यक्ष रवीन्द्र यादवले सरकारले सम्झौता उल्लंघन गरे सम्पूर्ण मधेसी युवा आन्दोलनमा उत्रने चेताबनी दिए । सभामा युवा फोरमका अध्यक्ष अशोक यादव, विद्यार्थी प|mन्टका अध्यक्ष गणेश यादवलगायतका वक्ताले चुनावमा लाग्न सबैलाई आग्रह गरेका थिए ।
टाइगरद्वारा विस्फोट
सबै दल मधेसका एजेन्डासहित प्रचारमा चितवन, भदौ २५ - संविधानसभा निर्वाचन नजिकिँदै गर्दा मध्य र पश्चिमाञ्चलका तराईका जिल्लामा चुनावी चहलपहल बढ्दै गएको छ । यस क्षेत्रमा आन्दोलनरत मधेसी जनअधिकार फोरम र सरकारबीच सहमतिपछि जिल्लाहरूमा दलहरूले चुनावी गतिविधि तीव्र पारेका छन् माओवादी कार्यकर्ताहरूमा निर्वाचनबारे द्विविधा र कांग्रेस एकीकरणमा अन्योल भइरहँदा खास गरी एमालेले गाउँ-गाउँमा चुनावी गतिविधि बढाउँदै लगेको छ । पछिल्लोपटक मधेस जनअधिकार फोरमले समेत तराईका गाविसमा एकाएक संगठन विस्तार र कार्यकर्ता परिचालन थालेको छ । यसअघि सद्भावना पार्टी निकट रहेकाहरू अहिले फोरममा क्रियाशील भएको जिल्लास्थित कान्तिपुर सहकर्मीहरूले जनाएका छन् । सरकार-फोरमबीच सहमतिपछि मध्य तराईका अन्य जिल्लासँगै बारामा पनि संविधानसभा चुनाबको चहलपहल बढेको छ । संविधानसभा निर्वाचनको प्रचारमा राजनीतिक दल अग्रसर भएका छन् । त्यस्तै फोरम पनि संविधानसभाको चुनावबाट बाँकी लक्ष्य पूरा हुने बताउँदै चुनावी अभियानमा होमिएको छ । 'प्राप्त उपलब्धिको रक्षा गर्दै संविधानसभाको निर्वाचनमार्फत उपलब्धि हासिल गर्नु मधेसी समुदायको बुद्धिमानी हुनेछ, फोरम बुद्धिजीवीका जिल्ला अध्यक्ष उमेशलाल दासले बताए । प्ा्रचारमा एमाले अरूभन्दा अगाडि रहेको छ । उसले यहाँका गाउँ-सहरका भित्ताहरू 'संविधानसभा सफल पारौं,' को नाराले रंगाइसकेको छ । एमाले जिल्ला प्रचार प्रमुख कृष्ण पौडेल जिल्लाका ९८ गाविसमध्ये अधिकांशमा चुनावमा सचेतना जगाउने तथा कार्यकर्ता प्रशिक्षण गर्ने कार्य जारी रहेको बताउँछन् । त्यस्तै पार्टी एकताको प्रतीक्षामा रहेको कांग्रेस पनि संविधानसभाका लागि आन्तरिक गृहकार्यमा भने जुटिसकेको छ । 'एकीकरण भए लगतै प्रचारमा जुट्नेछौं,' जिल्ला कमिटी सदस्य कृष्णव्रत सिंहले भने- 'संघीय लोकतान्त्रिक गणतन्त्रमा जाने पार्टीको निर्णयले यहाँका युवाहरू नयाँ जाँगर पलाएको छ ।' उता सद्भावना पार्टी पनि 'अभी नहीं तो कभी नहीं' -अहिले भएन भने कहिल्यै हुँदैन) भन्ने नाराका साथ प्रचार-प्रसारमा जुटेको छ । यता माओवादी पनि केन्द्रले जारी गरको २२ बुँदेधारणा जनताको घर दैलोमा पुर्‍याउने अभियानमा जुटेको छ । 'संविधानसभाको सुनिश्चितताका लागि यी माग पूरा गराउने कार्यमा जन दबाब सिर्जन गर्न यसो गरेको उसको धारणा छ । 'संविधानसभाको सुनिश्चितताका लागि यी माग पूरा हुनु आवश्यक छ,' जिल्ला कमिटी सदस्य विरोधले बताए । त्यस्तै जिल्लाका स्थानीय दैनिक तथा एफएमहरूले पनि संविधानसभाको बारेमा नियमित बहस चलाउन थालेका छन् । बहसमा स्थानीय नेता, अधिकार कर्मीद्वारा संविधानसभाको महत्त्वको विषयमा जानकारी गराउने गरेका छन् । पर्सामा पनि चुनावी चहलपहल सुरु भएको छ । विभिन्न दलका केन्द्रीय नेताहरूको दौडाहाले सदरमुकाममा चुनावी वातावरण गर्माएको छ । प्रमुख राजनीतिक दलका सम्भावित उम्मेदवार, तिनको अवस्था बारेमा जोडघटाउ सुरु भएको छ । निर्वाचन क्षेत्र थप भई संख्या ५ पुगेकाले पनि सम्भावित उम्मेदरवारमा जोस बढाएको छ । जिल्लामा प्रभाशाली रहेका दुवै कांग्रेस र एमालेलाई चुनाव लागिसकेको छ । मधेस आन्दोलनपछि प्रतिकूलतासित जुझिरहेको माओवादी पनि केन्द्रको निर्देशनको प्रतीक्षामा छ मधेस आन्दोलनबाट उदाएको फोरम चुनावकै मुखमा चोइटिएकाले कार्यकर्ता पंक्ति भने अन्योलमा छचुनावी अभियानमा एमाले अघि देखिएको छ । जिल्लामा दह्रो मानिएको कांग्रेसका कार्यकर्ता एकीकरण घोषणाको प्रतीक्षामा रहेकाले केही सुस्त छन् । तैपनि दुवै कांग्रेसले आआफ्ना पार्टीको कार्यक्रम गरिरहेकै छन् । 'सबैभन्दा सशक्त कांग्रेस गाउँ नपसी चुनावी माहोलमा अपेक्षित गरमपना आउँदैन, सञ्चारकर्मी दीपेन्द्र चौहान टिप्पणी गर्छन् । एमालेले सदरमुकामका सबै वडामा निर्वाचन परिचालन, अर्थ संकलन र प्रचारप्रसार समिति गठन गर्न भ्याइसकेको छ । स्वयं सेवक दस्ता पनि गठन गरिसकेको पाटीर् को जिल्ला समिति सदस्य अरविन्द सिंह बताउँछन् । 'यसबाहेक आफ्ना जनवर्गीय संगठनहरूलाई सक्रिय बनाई पूरै पार्टी पंक्तिलाई चुनावी अखडामा होम्न एमाले लागिपरेको छ,' सिंहले कान्तिपुरसित भने । जनवर्गीय संगठन नभएका ठाउँमा गठन गर्ने र भएकामा सक्रिय बनाउने अभियान सुरु गरिएको छ । कांग्रेस प्रजातान्त्रिकले वषर्ाद् अगावै जिल्लाका सबै पन्ध्रवटा इलाकामा संविधानसभा निर्वाचनसम्बन्धी प्रशिक्षण कार्यक्रम सञ्चालन गरिसकेको थियो । प्रशिक्षण कायर् क्रममा बुथ समितिका पदाधिकारीहरूलाई सहभागी गराइएको पार्टीको जिल्ला समिति सदस्य जनार्द्घनसिंह क्षेत्रीले बताए । सद्भावना पार्टीले वीरगन्जमा गर्ने विशेष महाधिवेशन विवाद बढेपछि कार्यकर्ता अन्योलमा परेका छन् । महाधिवेशन सकिनासाथ हामीलाई चुनाव लागिहाल्छ, पार्टीको पर्सा जिल्ला सचिव शिव पटेलले कान्तिपुरसित भने । माओवादीका स्थानीय नेताहरू चाहिँ अहिलेको अवस्थामा वास्तविक संविधानसभाको चुनाव हुन नसक्ने केन्द्रको भनाइ दोहोर्‍याइरहेका छन् । गोलमेच सम्मेलन आयो जना गरी निर्वाचनका तगाराहरूलाई किनारा नलागाउने हो भने चुनाव होइन चुनावको नाटक हुनेछ, अखिल नेपाल ट्रेड युनियन महासंघका केन्द्रीय सदस्य सोनालाल साह भन्छन् । मकवानपुरमा संविधानसभा निर्वाचन प्रचारका लागि केही राजनीतिक दलहरू गृहकार्यमा व्यस्त रहेका छन् भने केही दलहरू गाउँ-गाउँमा कार्यकर्ता भेला गर्दै चुनाव प्रचार-प्रसार समिति गठन गर्न थालेका छन् । दामनमा जनमोर्चाले निर्वाचनका लागि कार्यकर्ता भेला गरेको थियो । निर्वाचनमा होमिएको एमालेले नगरका विभिन्न वडाहरूको चुनाव प्रचार-प्रसार कार्यालयको स्थापना गरिसकेको छ भने अधिकांश गाविसमा चुनाव प्रचार समिति गठन गरिसकेको छ । उता एकीकरणनजिक पुगेको प्रजातान्त्रिक कांग्रेसले शनिबारदेखि गाउँ/गाउँमा चुनावी अभियान सुरु गरेको छ । नेपाली कांग्रेसले ४३ गाविसमा चुनाव प्रचार-प्रसार समिति गठन गर्न जिल्लाका नेताहरू गाउँ-गाउँमा पठाउने निर्णय गरिसकेको पार्टी सभापति नरेन्द्र मिश्रले बताए । माओवादीले आन्दोलन र संविधानसभाको निर्वाचनलाईसँगै लैजाने नीति लिएकाले गाउँ-गाउँमा संविधानसभा निर्वाचनको वातावरण बनाउने भनेर कमिटीहरू निर्माण गर्न थालेका छन् । ती कमिटीहरूले आन्दोलनसँगै चुनाव प्रचार-प्रसार पनि गर्नेछन्, माओवादीका जिल्ला नेता प्रह्लाद लामिछानेले बताए . चितवनमा एमालेले मात्रै संविधानसभा चुनावको प्रचार प्रसारलाई अभियानका रूपमा अगाडि बढाएको छ । जिल्लामा प्रभावशाली नेपाली कांग्रेस एकीकरण पर्खेर बसेको छ । भने जनमोर्चाले अर्को महिनामा प्रच्ार-प्रसारमा जाने जनाएको छ । प्रचण्ड र बादलको गृह जिल्ला चितवनमा माओवादीले अहिलेसम्म चुनावी कार्यक्रम गरेका छै नन् । उसले पछिल्लोपटक राखेको २२ बुँदे माग गाउँ-गाउँमा पुर्‍याइने जनाएको छ । पाँचवटा चुनाव क्ष्ाेत्र रहेको यस जिल्लामा एमालेमात्रै गाउँ स्तरसम्म पुगेको छ । जिल्ला सचिव विजय सुवेदीका अनुसार एमालेले जिल्ला स्तरमा १ सय ६५ सदस्यीय निर्वाचन परिचालन समिति बनाएको छ । सबै क्ष्ाेत्र र गाउँस्तरमा निर्वाचन परिचालन र प्रचार-प्रसार समिति गठन गरिसकेको छ । नेपाली कांग्रेसले एक साताअघि भरतपुर नगरपालिकाभित्र घरदैलो कार्यक्रम आयोजना गरेको थियो । त्यसबाहेक कुनै कार्यक्रम गर्न नसकिएको जिल्ला उपसभापति मे धनीराज थापाले बताए । नवलपरासीमा संविधानसभा निर्वाचन माहोल एकाएक तातेको छ । अघिल्ला निर्वाचनमा एमाले, कांग्रेस र सद्भावनाको वर्चस्व रहेको नवलपरासीमा यसपटक माओवादी र मधेसी जनअधिकार फोरम पनि सक्रिय भएका छन् । ६ वटा निर्वाचन क्षेत्र रहेकको नवलपरासीमा राजनीतिक दलका जिल्ला नेताहरू सदरमुकाम छाडेर गाउँ-गाउँ पसेका छन् । नेताहरू पार्टी कार्यकर्ता भेटघाट, प्रशिक्ष्ाण , संगठन विस्तार गाउँस्तर सभा सम्मेलनमा लागि परेका छन् । एमालेले संविधानसभामा जिताउन सम्पूर्ण भ्रातृ संगठनहरूलाई परिचालन गरेको छ । एमाले कार्यालय सचिव तिलक महतका अनुसार एमाले महेन्द्र राजमार्ग वरिपरिका गाविसमा भित्ते लेखन पहाडी गाविसहरूमा प्रशिक्ष्ाण र तराईमा सर्यू चिह्नमा भोट माग्दै हिँडेको छ । नेपाली कांग्रेसले जिल्लाका १ सयभन्दा बढी शिक्षक र प्राध्यापकलाई ७३ गाविस र एक नगरपालिकामा खटाएर पार्टीका सक्रिय कार्यकर्ताहरूलाई प्रशिक्षण दिइसकेको छ । उता नेपाली कांग्रेस प्रजातान्त्रिकले बहुदलवाद संघीय लोकतान्त्रिक गणतन्त्रको नारा लिएर संविधानसभा निर्वाचनको प्रचार प्रसारसँगै पार्टी एकीकरण प्रक्रिया बारे छलफल चलाउँदै आएको जिल्ला पार्टी प्रवक्ता सन्जय यादवले बताए । माओवादीले आफ्ना सम्पूर्ण गाउँ जनसरकारमा बसेका कार्यकर्तालाई चुनाव प्रचार-प्रसार र गणतन्त्रको घोषणाका लागि जनदबाब सिर्जना गर्न गाउँ केन्दि्रत भएको पार्टी जिल्ला सचिव अनुपले बताए । फोरम र सरकारसँग वार्ता सफल भएपश्चात् झन् उत्साही भएका फोरम कार्यकर्ताहरू पछिल्लोपटक उत्साहित भएर गाउँ-गाउँ संविधान सभामा मधेसको पहुँच बढीमा भन्दै फोरमको पक्ष्ामा मतदान गर्न आह्वान गर्दै हिँडेका छन् । नेपाल सदभावना पार्टी -आनन्दीदेवी) का हैदरअली ओमिनका अनुसार जिल्ला नेताहरू गाउँ कार्यकर्ता भेटघाट कार्यक्रम तीव्र पारेका छन् । मधेसी जनता मधेसीको पक्ष्ामा रही संविधानसभा चुनाव सफल पार्न आह्वान गरेको छ । रुपन्देहीमा संविधानसभा निर्वाचनका लागि ठूला राजनीतिक दलहरू चुनावी अभियानमा निकै सक्रियता देखाएका छन् । ७ वटा निर्वाचन क्षेत्र रहेको यस जिल्लामा भारतसँग सिमाना जोडिएको दक्षिणी मर्चवारदेखि उत्तरीे पहाडसँग जोडिएका गाउँहरूसम्म संविधानसभा निर्वाचनको माहोल द्रुत गतिमा अगाडि बढ्न थालेको छ । कांग्रेस, एमाले, प्रजातान्त्रिक चुनावी अभियानमा गाउँ-गाउँसम्म छिरिसकेका छन् । यी पार्टीहरूले संविधानसभा निर्वाचनका बारेमा जिल्ला भेला, क्षेत्रीय भेला र बुथ भेला सम्पन्न गर्नमा व्यस्त छन् । माओवादीले केही दिनमै गाउँमा जाने बताएको छ । मधेसमा मिडिया नेपाल पत्रकार महासंघद्वारा गत सप्ताहान्त विराटनगरमा आयोजित 'मधेसी मिडिया सम्मेलन' मा बुद्धिजीवी सीके लालले 'जनआन्दोलनताकाको गोरखापत्र, रेडियो नेपाल र नेपाल टेलिभिजनले जस्तो भूमिका निर्वाह गरेका थिए माघको मधेस विद्रोहताका कान्तिपुर दैनिक, कान्तिपुर एफएम र कान्तिपुर टेलिभिजनको भूमिका फरक थिएन' भन्ने विचारोत्तेजक टिप्पणी गरे । नेपाली मिडियाको पर्यायवाची शब्द कान्तिपुर बन्न गएकाले कान्तिपुरलाई उदाहरणका रूपमा मात्र भनेको प्रस्ट गर्दै उनले सरकारी तथा निजी सबै सञ्चारमाध्यम मधेस आन्दोलनका विषयमा उदासीन रहेको टिप्पणी गरे । मधेसमूलका कतिपय विद्वान्ले माघे मधेस विद्रोहलाई नेपाली सञ्चारमाध्यमले राजाविरुद्धको वसन्त आन्दोलनभन्दा कम आँकेको र सोही आधारमा सामग्री प्रकाशन प्रसारण गरेकाले पनि नेपाली मिडियामाथि आक्रमण हुने गरेको तर्क पनि गरिन्छ ।

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Completely Proportional Election: Meeting Point With The Maoists





एक मात्र िमलनिवन्दु: पुर्ण समानुपाितक िनर्वाचन
I Agree With Prachanda On Republic And Proportional Election

The Maoists have two key demands right now.
  1. Declare republic right away.
  2. Hold completely proportional elections to the constituent assembly.
I agree with both of them wholeheartedly.

All eight parties are formally for a republic. So there is no point in pretending we don't know what the country wants. There is no point in pretending we don't know what the Nepali people want. Republic was the primary street slogan during the April Revolution. If the eight parties were to declare a republic now, they will have been a year and a half behind schedule already.

If the country is not declared a republic right away, the monarchy is going to be a major distraction on the campaign trail. Any further discussion on the issue of the monarchy is going to be a major waste of national political energy. Declare the country a republic and be done with it.

So that the primary discussion during the election campaign ends up being the shape and form of federalism and the size and composition of the national army. Then every party is going to be forced to take clear positions on some key questions.
  1. How many states do you think Nepal should have? What does your map look like? What do you think should be the power distribution between the federal, state and local governments?
  2. How big should the Nepal Army be? What should be its ethnic and gender composition?
Holding completely proportional elections I hope is accompanied by the formation and emergence of a strong Dalit party. The Dalits need completely proportional elections more than any other community. They are such a dispersed population. They are also the most marginalized of all groups in the country.

Holding completely proportional elections means you end up with a Rai party, a Limbu party, a Tamang party, a few Madhesi parties. Actually you end up with lots of Madhesi parties, maybe about a half dozen small and big Madhesi parties, and that is okay.

All that is necessary. A Dalit party with a Dalit national party president is way more meaningful than token Dalit MPs under the leadership of Bahun party leaders in the old, large parties.

Holding completely proportional elections is going to be a major boost to the cause of social justice in Nepal.

There should be only one rule. At least every third name on a party's list must be female, other than that there are no rules. And reduce the size of the proposed assembly. Make it more like 300. 500 is too large. That is how many they have in India and America, and those are big, rich populations.

If you make it 300, any party that gets 0.33% of the votes counts and gets one MP in the assembly.

Holding respectful dialogue with the Maoists and the armed Madhesi groups is a must to conduct meaningful elections. (Talk To Goit) You deal with the Madhesi Maoists like you dealt with the Pahadi Maoists. Release all their cadres, take back all cases filed against them, put all their soldiers into cantonments, and tell them to go compete at the polls during the completely proportional elections to the constituent assembly.

Agreeing to hold completely proportional elections also means it will be more likely elections will take place in November. So far the 240 constituencies have not been delineated. When they are, the delineation is bound to be controversial, and hence another cause for distraction. It is so much easier to have the entire country as one constituency.

Also it is better for a largely illiterate country to have only one ballot paper. That will be less confusion.

Holding completely proportional elections will mean all parties will go to the people solo. There will be no need for pre-poll electoral alliances. Parties competing with each other is good for the voters, it is good for democracy. I am opposed to the idea of eight parties going to the people together. That "unity" will be undemocratic, it will be a soft dictatorship where the people are denied a genuine choice.

The Maoists on their part should have their two key demands met. The other 20 will have to wait until after the November election.

The Madhesi Kranti was more intense than the April Revolution. The November Election will be bigger than both put together.

The Madhesi Cause Is On Fire: Put Out The Fire
To Do List For Sadbhavana And MJF
Goal: Federal Republic Of State Funded Parties
MJF Is For Republic, Land Reform, Dalit, Muslim, Janajati, Mahila Rights, And Small Or No Army
The MJF Must Stay Intact
The MJF Dispute: Got To Seek Middle Ground
The Madhesi MPs And The Idea Of A New Party
Not UML-Maoist Unification Or Unity, But A One Point Agreement On PR Election
Baburam Bhattarai Is Right About UML-Maoist Unity
एक मात्र िमलनिवन्दु: पुर्ण समानुपाितक िनर्वाचन

Madhesi Alliance Needed
एक मधेश एक प्रदेश
मधेशी अान्दोलनको गन्तव्य: नभम्बर चुनाव
Violence Is No Solution In the Terai
ICG: Nepal's Troubled Terai Region



In The News

Prachanda seconds Bhattarai’s quit call Himalayan Times Dr Baburam Bhattarai told this daily yesterday that the party would quit the six-month-old interim government if their key demands (declaration of republic and proportional representation system of election) were not addressed before the polls.
Ban Unruly Activities of YCL: Pokhrel Pokhrel, who is also the vice-chairman of the Jana Morcha Nepal
Army can be mobilised for polls: Nepal, Sushil General Secretary of the CPN-UML Madhav Kumar Nepal and Nepali Congress vice-president Sushil Koirala today said the army could be deployed during the constituent assembly polls if all the eight parties agree to it. ..... He said the list of his party’s candidates will be announced by the end of this month and added that 33 to 40 per cent of them would comprise women. ..... Asked what if the Maoists walked out of the government, Koirala replied sarcastically, “Will the skies fall if they do so?” ...... NC Joint General Secretary Dr Ram Baran Yadav discounted the statement issued by Krishna Prasad Bhattarai as something which has been “issued by a leader who is currently out of touch with the reality.” “Kishunji is a respected leader. But he does not know what is involved. He does not seem to remember that the NC has made rapid strides following its last general convention,” Dr Yadav said.

RJP warns of negative outcomes of republic ahead of CA Kantipur Arjun Narsingh KC said that the legislative parliament doesn’t have the authority to decide about the fate of monarchy. Only the people have that right
Talks with Terai agitators must for CA polls, says Minister Pokharel the government must hold talks with the agitating armed groups in the Terai to create an environment for holding the Constituent Assembly elections on November 22. ...... “The elections cannot be held in the Terai under the prevailing circumstances,” he told reporters at a function organized by the People’s Front Nepal in Birgunj. “But the talks should not be held with those who want to thwart the elections and divide the nation.” ...... the Maoists are warning of the agitation if the coalition partners did not agree to declare a republic through the interim parliament to ensure a “meaningful” elections.
Sitaula discusses political stand-off with Maoist minister the ministers reached an agreement to take the decisions on the demands only after consensus on the cabinet and meeting of the top leaders of the eight parties. ..... the Maoists minister said that he did not see the possibility of addressing the 22-point demands as the relation between the seven parties and the Maoists was souring. He also claimed that there was no alternative to “people’s movement” if the 22-point demands are not addressed. ...... Only on Monday, Maoist Chairman Prachanda had reiterated his party's warning to quit the government by September 16 if the government does not fulfill their demands. He had also said that the seven parties were indifferent to their demand. .... The seven parties have already geared up for the “essential” elections rescheduled for November 22.
Agitating entrepreneurs shut down pharmacies too JANAKPUR, Sept 11 - As the indefinite strike called by the Janakpur Industry and Commerce Association entered the fifth day in a row, the agitating entrepreneurs have also shut down pharmacies in the town on Tuesday. ....the entrepreneurs have taken to the streets against the Maoist's 'atrocities' and the government’s apathy. ... security for the entrepreneurs and return of the lands and properties seized by the Maoists. .... The agitators have also declined a formal request made by Dhanusha Chief District Officer Ram Sharan Chimoriya to come forward for a dialogue to address their demands.
कांगे्रसको निर्ण्र्ाार माओवादी जयजयकारको भीड एक्कासी जनव्रि्रोहमा बद्लि“दा राजतन्त्र समाप्त भएका छन् । ...... मुलुकमा राजतन्त्रविरोधी लहर चलेको र राजतन्त्रका पुराना मान्यतामा व्यापक परिवर्तन आएकाले यसको उपादेयता सकिएको छ । न यो एकताको प्रतीक, जनप्रेमी र लोकतान्त्रिक हुनसकेको छ, न यसले आफ्नु अस्तित्वरक्षा गर्ने रणनीति लिनसकेको हो । जनाधार बा“की रहेको भए जनता यसको रक्षाका लागि अगाडि आइसक्थे । ....... मुलुक गणतन्त्रमय भइसकेको छ ..... कुनै दलले स्थापित गणतन्त्रात्मक लोकतन्त्रलाई 'विहारी शैली' पार्न कोसिस गर्छ भने त्यसको प्रतिकार गरिनर्ुपर्छ जसका लागि दल सक्षम छन् । अरूले गरेको निर्ण्र्ााहलुका किसिमले लिई उडाउने हो भने माओवादीका धेरै तर्क र भनाइलाई पनि त्यसै भन्न सकिन्छ । डा बाबुराम भट्टर्राईको गोरखापत्र -२३ भदौ ०६४) को लेखले गणतन्त्रका दर्ुइ स्वरूप देखाउ“छ । पहिलो हो, उहा“ले भनेजस्तो बर्ुजुवा विहारीशैलीको गणतन्त्र र अर्को माओवादीले अ“गाल्ने गणतन्त्रात्मक व्यवस्था । माओवादी बहुदलीय लोकतान्त्रिक व्यवस्थामा संल्ाग्न हुनु अरू दलसरह प्रतिस्पर्धात्मक राजनीति हो । उहा“को भिन्नै मोडेलको गणतन्त्रले उहा“हरूप्रति उठाउ“दै आएका शंका प्रमाणित गर्छ । के माओवादीले अ“गालेको गणतन्त्र र हामीले बुझ्दै आएको बहुलवादी, प्रतिस्पर्धात्मक गणतन्त्र फरक छ - बाबुराम लेख्नुहुन्छ, "कांग्रेसको नेतृत्वमा जुनखाले सामन्ती जमिनदार र ठूला तथा नोकरशाही पु“जीपति वर्गको पक्षपोषण गर्नेहरूको बर्चस्व छ, उनीहरूले ल्याउने गणतन्त्र विहारी खालको गणतन्त्रभन्दा कुनै पनि रूपमा फरक हुनेछैन भन्ने जोकसैले बुझ्न सक्छ । त्यसरी हिजो संसदीय कालमा होस् वा शाही प्रतिगमन कालमा होस्, पुराना पञ्च र दरबारियास“ग घा“टी जोडेर सत्ताको कर्ुर्सर्ीी बस्न मरिहत्ते गर्ने र विदेशी हुन्डीमा चल्ने एनजीओ र आइएनजीओमार्फ करोडौंको व्यक्तिगत सम्पत्ति जोर्न लालायित हुने एमाले नेतृत्वले चाहेको र ल्याउने गणतन्त्र पनि बङ्गालको जत्ति पनि नहुने सहज अनुमान गर्न सकिन्छ ।" .......... माओवादीका २२ सूत्रे माग पूरा नहु“दा सरकार छोड्ने वक्तव्य आइरहेछन् । त्यसमध्ये निर्वाचन अगावै गणतन्त्र घोषणा हुनर्ुपर्छ भन्ने माग प्रमुख छ । वर्तमान संसदको अधिकारक्षेत्र असीमित छ र चाहेमा यसले गणतन्त्र घोषणा गर्न सक्छ, जसरी अन्य जम्मै निर्ण्र्ाागर्दै आइरहेको छ

Maoists having defeatist mentality: MK Nepal NepalNews
Sitaula talks with Maoist ministers on 22-pt demands Both the sides agreed that final decision on the Maoist demands would be taken by a meeting of the eight parties or by the council of ministers.
Deuba says only technical matter remains for unification
Jwala's men murder schoolteacher in Siraha
Maoist to hold roundtable conference; prepare to walk out of govt The CPN-Maoists is gearing up to wage a protest movement after holding round table conference with the disgruntled faction of the Madeshi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) including Limbu, Tamang and other ethnic organisations..... a round table conference with the MJF faction, Limbuwan and Tamsaling ethnic organisations including People’s Front Nepal, Communist Party of Nepal (Unified), Marxist Leninist (ML) on September 13 in the capital city. ..... Only the top leadership of these parties and organisations has been notified about the details of the round table conference. ....“We have made all the preparations for the movement. Now we are very close to walking out of the government.” .... no initiatives for any kind of meeting or consultation between the ruling eight parties has been taken on this issue

The Madhesi Cause Is On Fire: Put Out The Fire




To Do List For Sadbhavana And MJF

Not only must the Sadbhavana stay intact, not only must the MJF stay intact, they also have to come together and form a larger Madhesi Alliance, along with Jwala, Goit and the rest of the armed and unarmed Madhesi groups.

The fight of the Madhesi parties is on the campaign trail with the Pahadi parties. The fight is with the Nepali Congress, the UML, the Maoists. The fight is with the RPP.

Powerlessness leads to infighting. That is why women fight so much among themselves in the villages. They are members of a powerless group. That same psychology also applies to the Madhesi groups.

The current infighting is the symptom of the disease. The disease is the Madhesi powerlessness inside Nepal. The cure to that disease is not infighting among the Madhesi leaders. The cure is for the Madhesi leaders to get united, especially at this crucial juncture right before the constituent assembly elections. The cure is to come together and fight the Pahadi establishment on the electoral battlefield.

This has gone far enough. It is high time the key players of the conflict sat down in person and resolved this conflict.

If the Sadbhavana were to split right now, if the MJF were to split right now, all the hard work and sacrifice that the Madhesi masses made during the Madhesi Kranti will have been in vain. To split the Sadbhavana and the MJF now is to disrespect the martyrs of the Madhesi Kranti.

If the two parties were to split, they stand to be decimated at the polls.

This is the time to unite, to come together, and together create a Madhesi wave. This is the time to create a third Madhesi pillar in the constituent assembly, to balance out the Congress pillar, and the communist pillar. Infighting will not take us there.

To Do List For Sadbhavana And MJF
Goal: Federal Republic Of State Funded Parties
MJF Is For Republic, Land Reform, Dalit, Muslim, Janajati, Mahila Rights, And Small Or No Army
The MJF Must Stay Intact
The MJF Dispute: Got To Seek Middle Ground
No To Terrorism: Terai Army Is A Criminal Outfit
उपेन्द्र यादव: सरकार र फोरमबीच सम्झौता
The Madhesi MPs And The Idea Of A New Party
तराई बन्द नहीं संगठन िवस्तार किरए
जयप्रकाश गुप्ता: मधेस आन्दोलनका आग्रह
An Open Letter To NAC
Goal Has To Be To Stay As One Country
Not UML-Maoist Unification Or Unity, But A One Point Agreement On PR Election
Baburam Bhattarai Is Right About UML-Maoist Unity
एक मात्र िमलनिवन्दु: पुर्ण समानुपाितक िनर्वाचन

On The Web

Conflict Resolution
1. "Know Thyself" and Take Care of Self Understand your "perceptual filters," biases, triggers ..... Create a personally affirming environment (eat, sleep, exercise)
2. Clarify Personal Needs Threatened by the Dispute Substantive needs have to do with the "stuff" of the conflict… often the problem that we feel needs to be solved........ Procedural needs relate to the process of addressing these substantive needs. Ground rules, for example, are a process step that can help ensure that all stakeholders feel included in a meaningful way. ...... Psychological needs relate to a fostering a safe environment, one in which people are willing to take the risks involved in honestly communicating their differences, concerns and potential similarities to one another. ........ Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement (BATNA) - what is the best I can expect if we don't come to a negotiated agreement? ..... Worst Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement (WATNA) - what is the worst I can expect if we don't come to a negotiated agreement? ...... Most Likely Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement - (MLATNA) - what is the most likely alternative if we don't come to a negotiated agreement? ........ 1) One person speaks at a time. 2) We will make a sincere commitment to listen to one another, to try to understand the other person's point of view before responding. 3) What we discuss together will be kept in confidence, unless there is explicit agreement regarding who needs to know further information. 4) We agree to talk directly with the person with whom there are concerns, and not seek to involve others in "gossip" or "alliance building." 5) We agree to try our hardest and trust that others are doing the same within the group. 6) We will support the expression of dissent in a harassment free workplace. 7) We agree to attack the issues, not the people with whom we disagree.
3. Identify a Safe Place for Negotiation Role of Support People (Facilitators, Mediators, Advocates), as needed ...... Agreement to Groundrules
4. Take a Listening Stance into the Interaction Seek first to understand, then to be understood" (Covey) ..... Use Active Listening skills ..... When engaged in a conflict, we have a tendency to "push, push, push!" Of course, this is because "you just don't understand me!" One of the most important challenges we face in negotiating solutions to conflicts is the need to resist the urge to push and, instead, make a special effort to listen. If we dedicate ourselves to active listening, we significantly improve the likelihood that our ideas and feelings, in turn, will be understood by the other person. And if we truly come to understand the other's point of view in the conflict, we may actually clarify why the situation has become so combustible to this point. ...... "I want to understand what has upset you." ..... "I want to know what you are really hoping for." ..... "Can you say more about that?" .... "Is that the way it usually happens?" ..... "It sounds like you weren't expecting that to happen." .... "I can imagine how upsetting that must have been." ...... "I really appreciate that we are talking about this issue." .... "I am glad we are trying to figure this out."
5. Assert Your Needs Clearly and Specifically Assertive communication is the process of conveying one's needs and concerns clearly and specifically, while respecting the needs of the other party. It may be contrasted to aggressive communication, where one conveys needs globally and without respectful listening, or submissive communication, where one vaguely conveys needs in a manner that is often confusing to the listener. ........ Be prepared for a defensive, even hostile, response to your assertions. Just because you have demonstrated your ability to listen well doesn't mean the other person is able to do so! HANG IN THERE AND CONTINUE LISTENING!! Reflect what you now hear from the other person in response to your assertions, and then assert your needs again… calmly, clearly and specifically.
6. Approach Problem-Solving with Flexibility Generate several possible solutions to the problem ..... Clarify the criteria .... Good solutions to problems emerge from mutually acceptable criteria being applied in a clear decision-making process. ...... "I'm confused. Earlier, we were discussing Issue A, now I hear you raising some concerns in a new area… is this where we want to focus, or should we return to Issue A?" ....... summarize these ideas in writing and restate them back to each other to be sure everyone agrees with both the intent of the solution and its specific language.
7. Manage Impasse with Calm, Patience, and Respect People feel stuck, frustrated, angry, and disillusioned. As a result, they might either dig their heels in deeper, anchoring themselves in extreme and rigid positions, or they might decide to "take their marbles and go home," withdrawing from negotiation. ....... rather than avoiding or dreading it, impasse should be viewed with calm, patience, and respect. ...... As appropriate, take breaks (a few minutes, a few days - whatever is appropriate) in order to regain your energy and focus for the challenge. ...... Reframe the issue: Shift from substantive issues to procedural or psychological concerns. This may generate new energy to revisit the substantive issue, or put it into proper perspective. ....... Stay flexible - generate new options. .... Validate and affirm areas of agreement
8. Build an Agreement that Works identify areas of agreement as clearly and specifically as possible, preferably in writing. ..... As appropriate, sit down again in order to renegotiate solutions on the basis of new information. ..... Seek a round table if possible, or sit at the end of a longer table so you are able to easily communicate. ..... Use seats that convey fairness and equality
Conflict resolution - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Successful conflict resolution occurs by listening to and providing opportunities to meet each side's needs, and adequately address their interests so that they are each satisfied with the outcome. Conflict resolution aims to end conflicts before they start or lead to verbal, physical, or legal fighting. ..... More common but not popular with practitioners in conflict resolution is conflict management, where conflict is a deliberate personal, social and organizational tool, especially used by capable politicians and other social engineers.
Conflict Resolution Network - Home page
SafeYouth.org - Teen Facts - Conflict Resolution
Conflict Resolution specializes in Alternative Dispute Resolution ...
Conflict Resolution - Resolving conflict rationally and ...

In The News

Congress unification 'just two days away' NepalNews
Prachanda says Maoists are committed to polls
NSP rival factions tussle over party office In a deepening hostility between two rival factions of Nepal Sadbhavana Party (NSP-Anandidevi), workers of each side tried to capture the party central office in Kathmandu on Monday. ..... The workers supporting Minister Rajendra Mahato had locked up the party central office in Baneshwore. Subsequently, the workers supporting party president Anandidevi Singh broke open the door of the party office. ..... Two dozen policemen were deployed in the party office premises to prevent possible clash between the two sides. ..... The two sides, earlier, had announced that they have 'expelled' each other from the party. Although Singh declared suspension of party convention slated to begin later this week in Birgunj, Mahato supporters have said they will hold the convention and sack Singh from the position of party president.
Janakpur remains shut for 4th straight day The businessmen took out a protest rally in the town today, chanting slogans against the local administration for not doing enough to check abductions and extortion going on in the region. The bandh comes in the wake of growing threat to businessmen from criminal gangs and armed groups operating in Terai.
NSP on the verge of split again as rival factions expel each other Nepal Sadbhawana Party (NSP) is on the verge of suffering a vertical split .... NSP chairperson Anandidevi Singh suspended four senior leaders of the rival camp -- senior vice-chairman Laxman Lal Karna, vice-chairman and Commerce Minister Rajendra Mahato, Ram Narayan Yadav including general secretary Anil Kumar Jha -- from the party’s ordinary membership Sunday. ..... hours after the party’s Central Work Performance Committee (CWPC) that started from Saturday under the chairmanship of senior vice-chairman Laxman Lal Karna suspended party general secretary Shyam Sundar Gupta accusing him of working against the interest and statute of the party and also tabled a no-confidence motion against chairperson Singh. ...... holding the convention is the decision of the party’s extensive central committee and none of the officials including chairperson Singh has the right to defer it or postpone it. ..... Singh is preparing to reshuffle the Central Committee to sideline leaders of the Karna-Mahato faction.
NSP convention postponed She also accused a nexus between vice chairman Laxman Lal Karna and Commerce Minister Rajendra Mahato of deliberately trying to sideline leaders who fought for democracy.
Koirala-Deuba talks ends inconclusively

‘RPP, RJP to unify before CA polls’ Kantipur Rana informed that he had personnel gone to the residence of RJP Chairman Surya Bahadur Thapa 18 times for the unification process.
गुप्ताद्वारा कार्यालय कब्जा काठमाडौं, भदौ २४ - सद्भावना पार्टर्ीी अध्यक्ष आनन्दीदेवी पक्षका महासचिव श्यामसुन्दर गुप्ताले सोमबार र्समर्थकहरूसहित गएर पार्र्टर्ीीकेन्द्रीय कार्यालयमा कब्जा जमाएका छन् । उनले विरोधी पक्षका नेतालाई प्रवेश नदिने जनाए । विरोधी समूहका नेताले उनको यो कार्यलाई 'गुन्डागर्दी' को संज्ञा दिएका छन् । सय जनाजति कार्यकर्ता लिएर कार्यालय पुगेका गुप्ताले ताला तोडेर कार्यालयमा प्रवेश गरेका हुन् । उनले सोमबार नै नया“ कार्यालय सचिवका रूपमा विकासकुमार तिवारीलाई नियुक्त गरेका छन् । पार्टर्ीी दर्ुइ परस्परविरोधी समूहले एकअर्काका नेतालाई निलम्बन गरेपछि गुप्ताले कार्यालयमा कब्जा जमाएका हुन् । पार्टर्ीी उपाध्यक्ष तथा आपर्ूर्तिमन्त्री राजेन्द्र महतो पक्षले आइतबार वरिष्ठ उपाध्यक्ष लक्ष्मणलाल कर्ण्र्ााे अध्यक्षतामा केन्द्रीय कार्यसम्पादन समितिको बैठक बसी गुप्तालाई निलम्बन गरेको थियो । यसअघि पार्टर्ीीध्यक्ष आनन्दीदेवी सिंहले कर्ण्र्ाामहतो, रामनारायण यादव र अनिल झालाई निलम्बन गरेकी थिइन् । 'महासचिव कार्यालयमा ताला लगाउने अधिकार कसैलाई छैन, यो राम्रो प्रक्रिया होइन,' र्समर्थकसहित कार्यालय प्रवेश गरेपछि गुप्ताले कान्तिपुरस“ग भने । गत शुक्रबार पार्टर्ीीध्यक्ष सिंहले प्रधानमन्त्री गिरिजाप्रसाद कोइरालालाई भेटी आफ्ना पार्टर्ीी तर्फाट मन्त्री बनेका महतोलाई फिर्ता गर्न र गुप्तालाई मन्त्री बनाउन पत्र बुझाएपछि विवाद चर्किएको हो । गुप्ताले २७ गतेदेखि हुन लागेको महाधिवेशन हुन नदिने दाबीसमेत गरेका छन् । उनले प्रतिगामी तत्त्वको सा“ठगा“ठले महाधिवेशन गर्ने प्रयास गरे जनआन्दोलनकारी कार्यकर्ताले बिथोल्ने दाबी गरे । 'महाधिवेशन कुनै पनि हालतमा हुन दिइने छैन,' उनले भने । महतोले भने गुप्ता निष्कासित नभई निलम्बितमात्र भएकाले कार्यालय जान पाउने भए पनि ताला तोडेर प्रवेश गर्नुलाई 'गुन्डा चरित्र' प्रदर्शित गरेको आरोप लगाए । उनले महाधिवेशन निर्धारित समयमै हुने दाबी गर्दै बहुमत कार्यकर्ता नै संस्थागत हुने दाबी गरे । हालसम्म तटस्थ देखिएका वरिष्ठ नेता खुसीलाल मण्डलले भने विधानअनुसार कारबाही गर्ने अधिकार अध्यक्षस“ग मात्र रहेको बताए । विधानको धारा ९ 'ख' ले अध्यक्षलाई असीमित अधिकार दिएको छ । उक्त धारामा 'संगठनको कुनै निकायमा भएको कुनै किसिमको त्रुटि वा समस्या उत्पन्न भएमा त्यसको समाधानको जिम्मेवारी राष्ट्रिय अध्यक्षलाई हुने' भन्ने उल्लेख छ । 'कथित रूपमा अध्यक्षमाथि लगाइएको अविश्वास प्रस्ताव पास नभएसम्म अध्यक्षले आफ्नो अधिकार प्रयोग गर्ने र्सवमान्य वैधानिक अधिकार छ,' मण्डलले भने । उनले महाधिवेशन स्थगित गरी समस्या समाधान गरेर अगाडि बढ्नुपर्नेसमेत बताए । महतोले भने राष्ट्रिय अध्यक्षविरुद्ध अविश्वासको प्रस्ताव दर्ता भइसकेकाले उनमा अधिकार नभएको दाबी गरेका छन् ।
एमालेको चुनावी चटारो एमालेले राजधानीमा चुनावी अभियान तीव्र बनाएको छ । 'हरेक दिन उपत्यकाका विभिन्न गाउँ र नगरका वडामा कम्तीमा ५० भेला, बैठक, प्रशिक्षण कार्यक्रम हुने गरेको छ ।' उनका अनुसार, शनिबार र बिदाको दिन महानगरका वडादेखि गाविसका वडास्तरीय कार्यक्रम दुई सयको हाराहारीमा हुन थालेको छ । शनिबार भट्टराई ६ कार्यक्रममा सहभागी भए । 'बिहान ७ बजेदेखि बेलुकी ८ बजे मात्रै घर छिरियो,' उनले भने- 'चुनाव नजिकिँदै जाँदा नेता कार्यकर्ताको व्यस्तता बढेको छ ।'
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जातीय समस्या समाधान

Rift widens as NSP factions suspend opponent leaders Gorkhapatra, Nepal A statement of the dissident group said that the chairperson along with two general secretaries had verified on September 2 the delegates for the convention and the name list was published on September 7.
No confidence motion against Anandi Devi Kantipur Online, Nepal

Gupta takes charge of NSP HQ Himalayan Times The dramatic development in the Nepal Sadbhavana Party (A) today resulted in General Secretary Shyam Sundar Gupta taking complete charge of the party headquarters in the capital. This coincided with expelled leaders announcing a meeting of the central committee tomorrow in Birgunj with a view, as Laxman Lal Karna said, to reviewing the latest developments and plan the general convention. Earlier today, Gupta and other central leaders of the party walked to the party office in the capital and “took control of the situation” following a day that saw expulsion of four key leaders, including Minister of Industry, Commerce and Supplies Rajendra Mahato. Gupta, who has been tipped to be the next representative of the party in the interim government, flayed the expelled leaders for their anti-leadership posture, including disrespect to party President Anandi Devi. He also poked fun at the announcement from the expelled groups that it will be organising a general convention to elect new leadership. “How can those who have been expelled go about organising an event without the stamp of authority from previously elected leadership?” Gupta wondered. He also denied that the party was on the verge of split. He said the party leadership was waiting for the Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala to relieve and replace Mahato. While Karna said the mediator of the party, Narsingh Chaudhary, was busy meeting people to possibly sort out the tangle, Gupta denied any knowledge of the same.