The UML's Referendum Talk
Paramendra Bhagat
September 26, 2002.

The Nepal Communist Party (United Marxist Leninist), a leftist outfit ideologically stationed in the multi-party framework and popularly known as the UML, has suggested it will conduct a referendum if the Maoists were to cease violence and allow for a peaceful conduct of the parliamentary elections slated for November. I consider this the most positive and concrete idea to have emerged to counter the violent Maoist insurgency since its inception a few years back.

The once-vertically-split UML has united whereas the Nepali Congress has vertically split. That creates a real possibility the UML might form a majority government for the first time since democracy was reinstalled in the country in 1990. And the possibility gives their idea currency.

It is possible the Maoists will take the UML on the offer, elections will be held in peace, the UML will bag a majority of the seats, hold a referendum, and, it is very possible, the Nepali electorate will do away with the monarchy through the ballot box.

The establishment of a republic would be a monumental change on the political landscape, I dare say a highly positive one.

The Koirala Congress has proffered the idea of a federal form of government. I hope it does put the idea forth as the center piece of its platform. Once the idea gains momentum, it would be hard for the UML to oppose it or ignore it.

And so, it is possible the November elections might guide the country into two major changes: (1) the establishment of a republic, and (2) the establishment of a federal form of government. Couple that with the possibility the recent anti-corruption drive might sustain its momentum also after November, and what many expected to happen in 1990 will finally have happened in 2002, a dozen years behind schedule, but better late than never.

These three changes might make it possible for the people, the system, and the political leadership to finally focus on the country's number one priority - rapid economic growth - with the intensity of a laser beam.