Enter the Maoists?

With the end of the monarchy in Nepal, the country is geared for a Government where one sees the participation of various political outfits of every hue and ideology. The latest to join the ranks are the Maoists who have so long been identified by their armed rebellion against, political legitimacy. Though the transition to a democratic government seems far from problems the mood is optimistic bolstered by the fight for democracy also advocated and ushered in Nepal with the blessings of the Bush administration in the US.The entry into the main political fray by the Maoists is though challenged by long-held principles of the country that have opposed to the  involvement of  states or groups thought of as rogues. The (Maoist) Communist Party of Nepal which has won the majority of seats in the constituent assembly elections, is on the U.S. Terrorist Exclusion List. This also implies that members of the same are barred from travelling or owning property in the States.

In what is being termed of as a shift in US think tanks, top U.S. diplomats met with Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, though of as probable next as prime minister. This though contradicts statements made by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Evan Feigenbaum, who told reporters that the Maoists are still on the terrorist lists.

An electoral victory for the Maoist’s leads to problems for some of Nepal’s neighbour’s especially India which has been providing military training to the countries army. It is feared that the Maoist electoral victory will lead to strengthening of Maoist rebel activities with the Naxalities within India too. The Maoist leader Prachanda has however denied any links with Naxalites in India.

Both India and China, important neighbours for Nepal have shown keen interest in Nepalese political developments. On its part Maoist leader Prachanda has said that Nepal would try and maintain good relations with both the countries.

The new Nepalese Government will face plenty of political and economic challenges that are predominant in the country. According to sources in the Asian Development Bank, Nepal is still one of the poorest nations in the world. According to recent reports by World Food Program, about 2.5 million people in rural areas of Nepal are in need of immediate food assistance. This is in addition to an additional 3.9 million people who face a risk of starvation due to food insecurities and increasing prices of food.

Another of the major problems lies in deciding the future of twenty-three thousand guerrilla fighters of the People’s Liberation Army, who are in the UN-monitored cease-fire camps. According to Prachanda, they should be integrated into the existing 95,000 Nepalese army but this suggestion has been opposed by the military administrators.