With the demise of first constituent assembly and the nation conducting a second election in few days, Prachanda deliberately played major role in keeping Baidya out from election bandwagon. This shows that Prachanda is more concerned about strengthening his party rather than social harmony and confidence of peace in country. It is unfortunate that leaders of other parties are always outsmarted by cunning Prachanda. How come the other parties did not take a stand to bring Baidya into election no-matter-what? That would benefit all other parties and weaken Prachanda, more than that it would have prevented all the strikes, petrol bombs, and mad outbursts of feeling-ignored Baidya alliance; a clear win for the nation.

Yes Baidya and his alliance had a voice, they are stakeholders born out of insurgency, a group that cannot be ignored, and special situations like elections should have been all inclusive to ensure a smoother path of constituent making in days to come. However, in recent days, calling for prolonged strikes and hurling petrol bombs that hurt innocent people, they have shown that they would go back to violent means to make their voices heard again. That is foolish of them. But it is the wise ones that have to fear the fools. All Baidya wanted was a seat in table and inclusion in the election government. So a little bit of power sharing would have solved any chant of ideological fissures that Baidya is claiming. All the sweet talk and the theories are just ploys to get to power by a hook or a crook.

With constituent assembly almost taking place, let’s hope that a country will get a good outlet out of recent crisis, that the Baidya faction will give up violent means, come to terms with their error in tactics due to stubborn and impractical demands, and the country will be able to quickly form a new government and focus on making a constitution. Baidya can play constructive role being non-violent but raising issues from outside as he is still likely to get a lot of attention. Moreover, if the four parties go back to dirty politics and keep country in uncertainty and turmoil, Baidya may be able to get more support in future. And politics in not a short race, it’s a long marathon.

The previous constituent assembly was not able to deliver a constitution even though all parties had enthusiastically participated. The partition politics and bickering after the election of first constituent assembly lead to its own demise four years later. It is important that leaders be more accepting, power-sharing, and understanding of other points of views this time around. Especially when it looks like that no party will gain majority; power sharing, stable coalition and consensus are the only way out.

May the best candidates win the election. Hopefully, we will be able to see a new constitution, stable government, and a prospering Nepal soon. A Nepal where, matters of health, economics, and infrastructure development are first priorities of all politicians rather than the games of power (Believe me this is less optimistic than John Lennon!).

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