“The (situation) is fluid and dangerous, but we are in control”
- Minister of State Shrish Shumsher Rana
As the nationwide general strike called by the opposition parties is to complete the second week, Nepalnews spoke to the government’s spokesperson and Minister of State for Information and Communications, Shrish Shumsher Rana, on the complex political scenario in the country and future way out. Excerpts of the interview:
How do you analyse the present political situation of the country? And, what could be the feasible solution to it?
I have answered this question many times over. It is fluid, dangerous, precipitous, but we are in control. The solution is obvious. Since October 4th 2002, after the elected government asked the king to use Article 127, the search has been for a national government to solve the mounting national problems. After three nine-month governments formed from the dissolved parliament were opposed by those not represented in government contributing to the mounting chaos, His Majesty, on October 4th 2005 used Article 27 to step in as chairman of a council of ministers asking all, in effect, not to squabble over who is to lead government but to participate in it to chart a three year course that would bring the constitution back on track, solve the problem of mal-governance, take up the issue of permanent peace and conduct the stalled elections. The search for participation remains and one is happy to note that talks have resumed currently.
The political parties are against the election held by incumbent government and international community will not support elections held without participation of major political parties. In this context, how the elections could be held to provide outlet to the problems of the country?
The answer is simple. Participate in the government. The people cannot be robbed of their right to vote.
The SPA is ruling out the possibility of talks with the incumbent government saying the government has not created conducive environment for talks. What would you say?
Government is working hard to exercise restraint on what has been proven as far from, as claimed, a peaceful agitation openly partnered by terrorists. This is also to help prompt and promote talks between His Majesty the King and the democratic parties for which His Majesty has been calling for over a year and which has begun finally after his new year address.
The general strike called by the SPA has been adversely affecting normal life across the country and there is shortage of daily consumer goods in the capital. In this context, what is the government doing to bring the situation to normalcy?
The answer is simple. Participate in the government. The people cannot be robbed of their right to vote. |
As was proven a few days back, the question of market stocks depleting was more a politico-media hype. There is no denying also that some market opportunism and racketeering also worked to create shortages and price hikes. This is at times inevitable, especially in circumstances such as these. Some stocks, of course, threatened by continuous and deliberate bandhs do deplete and the effort to replenish them is obvious by now. As supply increases, market play will reduce prices.
Critics claim the government is attempting to suppress the free media of the country?
In the virtual absence of effective modern media laws, my contention that the Nepali media is thoroughly unregulated has been well proven by the blatantly partisan and thoroughly unprofessional role a section of the media has assumed for itself in the ensuing agitation. The irony is that it is this very section that says there is no media freedom here. To add to the irony, they claim that their media struggle is to pre-empt government suppression. I am for free, fair and professional journalism, which is far from what the activist media is opting for at the moment. This is ultimately to everybody's detriment. nepalnews.com pb/dr Apr 19 06
(How do you find this interview? Please send your comments to feedback@mos.com.np--Ed.)
