Our little town is most certainly not the most cosmopolitan town in the world but rather a sleepy, dusty if quite charming place. Buffalo's and goats venture into the neighbors garden on occasion and are chased out by the older didi(sister). I see her coming running out sometimes holding onto her frilly umbrella, the usual protection from the sun over here. White bulls, cows are also usual sights in the streets and thus men and beast live together in a seemingly orderly but slightly anarchistic manner.
So when there is a biggish Maoist rally here, as is the situation in time of writing, it breaks the usual calmness and I am always amazed at the number of people that participate in a rally. The Maoists organize themselves (even here) according to a militant structure and their manifestation and rallies are therefor an unfamiliar sight to me, them using the whole street and walking in formation.
As far as the political situation goes, this is what the local news report: The Maoists have taken to the streets, rallied on May 1st all over the country and proclaimed an indefinite strike coming into affect today. The negotiations with the ruling parties(see below)were unfruitful. The agenda included trying to resolve different views of the constitution writing, the progression of the peace process and how power sharing should look. Not an easy task.
The interim constitution expires on May 28 and what happens then is anybody's guess.
The media call it a political crisis. Maoist Vice Chairman Dr Baburam Battarai is quoted in Republica saying that "there will not be any agreement till the prime minister resigns" but adds that talks are still possible despite the party's proclaimed aim not to end the strike until the government is toppled. PM Kumar Nepal went on records saying that he wouldn't step down and that the government could only be changed though due constitutional and parliamentary process.
What the future will bring nobody knows. All I know for now is that a political rally is taking place outside my window and something in me is really thankful for the passion that makes people take to the street in the name in change. But needless to say, my wishes for this war torn country is of course a peaceful solution to all the strife and confusion that even a foreigner like myself is sensing right now.
Ok. Still with me? You can stop reading now or follow me on a little walk through the ruling parties of present day Nepal.
One of the ruling parties is the National Congress, or NC.
I call them socialist and they are indeed part of a bigger international socialist network(as is the Swedish Social democratic party). At least they are left, this I know. NC rule together with the communist party CPN-UML, united Marxist-Leninist and smaller parties in a coalition but they are the two main political power bears here in the former kingdom of Nepal.
Nepal has altogether 43 ministers, honorable Ministers and State Ministers including the Prime Minister. Some of them have interesting sounding fields of responsibility(and there is even according to the governments homepage one minister without a portfolio) such as minister of Tourism and civil aviation, Peace and Reconstruction, General Administration(Minister of bureaucracy? I am not being ironic, I would really like to know). There is also the department of Women, Children and Social Welfare that we have come in contact with even though I feel I need more knowledge of what they actually do.
I can hear the speeches continue in the local chowk(market)down the road and I wish I could understand. Quite peaceful affair by the sounds of it, some authority present but no clashes just people demonstrating for something they believe in.
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