Good Luck Comrades: The Another April Revolution
Even before the elections, April 10th was supposed to be a once-in-a-generation day in Nepal. All of us heard or read about "ek juni ma ek choti" while we anxiously looked forward to the CA Elections. Our anxiousness was warranted because we were not even sure that the election would finally take place; after all, the election had be postponed twice already.
Another reason for our nervousness about the upcoming election was the fact that we all KNEW that the Maoists would lose. We were told time and again in the Nepali and International media that Maoists' loss was a foregone conclusion--it was just a matter of how badly they would loose. We just hoped that the election result wouldn't send them back into the jungle and end Nepal's precarious peace. Also, those of us living abroad, knew the Maoists only through the news of intimidation of its youth wing, the YCL. For us, every mention of YCL in the news meant another reason to distrust and underestimate the Maoists chances.
Therefore, it was such a huge shock on the day after the election. I am still surprised and all my friends are. We have wondered why we did not see it coming. Of course, it has been established right here in these Sajha threads the reasons why. As the "elites" of the country, consuming the elite-produced and elite-consumed news, we did not know the pulse of the real voters, the real Nepalis.
It turns out that thousands upon thousands of Nepalis were ready to give Maoists the chance--the same chance that both the NC and Amale had squandered before. How do you explain a no name Maoist candidate beating the General Secretary of UML, the second biggest party? That too in Kathmandu!!?
It is sufficiently clear that we were operating in pure vacuum, that we knew nothing. It seems likely even the parties themselves--Maoists included--had no clue. But the masses have spoken and it is resoundingly clear what they want. Their vote says that they are tired of the ineptitude and infighting among the same old leaders of NC and Amale. Though the voters may not fully trust the Maoists, they sure are willing to give them a chance. And who knows, maybe the Maoists have not be so bad after all. May be the news media indeed focused on their negatives and didn't give them credit where credit was due. The fact remains: the voters threw out the old and went with the new.
Indeed, we were clueness.
But let's leave that now and look ahead. We are all concerned. What happens now? What will come of this April Madness? This yet another April Revolution?
Here is one Nepali's wish: I hope that what we didn't see coming ends up saving our country. I hope that the Nepali voters are finally vindicated for their ballot choice this time. Let's us hope that the Maoists take the mandate of the people to heart and work honestly and diligently. Let's hope that they can lead the CA into drafting a Constitution that serves Nepal well for centuries. And let's hope that they put the wishes and needs of the entire country before their party and idelogy.
And let's hope that this April Revolution--this one of the ballot--changes Nepal for the better. If it takes the Maoists to take us to peace and prosperity, so be it. Good Luck Comrades!
