National
Bloc counters Cong’s ‘authoritarianism’ logic
Charging the alliance of the CPN-UML and the CPN (Maoist Centre) with “leading the nation towards authoritarianism” has become a major campaign tactic for the Nepali Congress and some regional parties in the eastern hills, who seem to be consolidating power to overcome the left alliance in the upcoming provincial and federal polls.Sanjeev Giri
Charging the alliance of the CPN-UML and the CPN (Maoist Centre) with “leading the nation towards authoritarianism” has become a major campaign tactic for the Nepali Congress and some regional parties in the eastern hills, who seem to be consolidating power to overcome the left alliance in the upcoming provincial and federal polls.
The two major leftist forces created a new wave in the first week of October by announcing an electoral alliance with an ultimate goal of party merger after the polls. The decision came as a shock for many in this region and beyond since the Maoist Centre, a coalition partner that had entered into an electoral alliance with the NC in the local level elections, had embraced the UML.
In Taplejung, Panchthar and Ilam districts, leaders and cadres of the parties opposed to the leftist alliance seem to be warning people of the possible consequences of “authoritarianism” that the two parties will allegedly push for if they have a resounding electoral victory. Possibility of the left alliance crushing the NC and the regional parties is high if the votes received by the parties in the recently held local polls are anything to go by. Moreover, analysts believe, people are lured by the two parties’ promise to install a stable government.
“The NC has always stood, and will stand, against totalitarianism,” said Bhupendra Kattel, the NC candidate who is pitted against former prime minister and UML heavyweight Jhala Nath Khanal in Ilam-1. Referring to Khanal’s long time in politics, Kattel argued that election of the same person over and over again had put development of the district on the back burner. “Construction of highways would have happened anyway. There is no other development,” he said.
Mani Bikram Labung, the Congress vice-president in Taplejung, told the Post that the move of the left alliance has helped consolidate power and organise common people in favour of democracy.
Former speaker of parliament and UML Candidate in Ilam-2 Subas Nembang said it was irresponsible of leaders of the rival parties to mislead the people. “Hence, it has become our responsibility to make the people aware,” Nembang added, clarifying that the alliance would respect the spirit of the new constitution that leaves no space for authoritarianism. NC leader Keshav Thapa is Nembang’s competitor.
Bishnu Kumar Nembang, a UML federal poll candidate in Panchthar, said that the rival parties’ “baseless” accusations would have no effect as the people were aware of the works of the leftist forces and the future course they chart towards “development of a stable and prosperous Nepal”.