VOL. 04, NO. 17, Feb 25 2011 (Falgun 23, 2067)

India Engineered Seven-point Pact

The seven-point pact between the Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda and the UML Chairman Jhalnath Khanal was done under the direction of and at the behest of India, like the 12-point Delhi pact ( which brought the Maoists and parliamentary parties together for the decisive agitation against the monarchy). The pact is harmful for the country and the people. Since it involves the interests of the two parties only, it can not give a solution to the country’s problems. (Nepal Majdoor Kisan Party chairman Narayan Man Bijukchhe in Karobaar, Feb 15)

Foreign Forces Nervous Over Seven-point Pact

The external forces have become nervous over the seven-point pact between the Maoists and the UML. This has delayed the formation of the cabinet. Foreign forces have been active in delaying the cabinet formation. But the government will not collapse just because of some leaders of the Nepali Congress and the UML Elements opposed to the change have been trying to undermine the people’s rights. ( Maoist chief whip Post Bahadur Bogati in Jandisha, Feb 19)

Maoist-UML Alliance Castle In The Air

The Maoist-UML alliance will not last long. It is a castle in the air. Since cabinet formation has hit the hurdles right from the beginning it will collapse soon and  new government led by the Nepali Congress will take its place for peace and constitution. The Maoist-UML alliance is against the peace process. It has made the country a hostage. Two parties alone can not resolve the country’s problems. (Nepali Congress leader Gopal Man Shrestha in Nepal Samacharpatra, Feb 20)

Chinese Spies Intensify Watch

The locals of the Lamathang and Chhoser in Mustang have been alarmed by the increase in the Chinese spies’ watch there. Plainclothes Chinese police have intensified their presence in the areas. They have been patrolling the areas daily, but the Jomsong-based Nepalese intelligence office has remained indifferent to the Chinese activities. The Chinese stepped up the patrol last year after closing down the Ne Chung pass. Chinese border officials also travel to Mustang unchecked. Many Chinese police and officials travel on own vehicles. They meet the former Mustangi king Jigme Parbal Bista. Although the ailing Bista is currently in Kathmandu, the Chinese do  meet his staff and the relatives in the Lomathang palace. The locals consider the increased activities of the Chinese spies as mysterious. Said Dojim Bista, “we had never seen such a big Chinese presence before. ( Dhruba Sagar Sharma in Nepal Samacharpatra, Feb 20)

Power Outage Could Trigger Revolt

Nobody has bothered to take care of the people’s concerns. If they had been taken care of the present crisis would not have arisen at all. If this continues and the power outage further increases, the people will take to the streets for a revolt. The power crisis could be the cause of the next uprising in Nepal. (Former finance minister Prakash Chandra Lohani in Karobaar, Feb 15)