THE HINDU Editorial Vocabulary- October 9, 2017- Topic 2

New Left in Nepal

On legislative elections in Nepal

In a most unexpected development, the Communist Party of Nepal(Unified-Marxist Leninist), the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist-Centre) and the Naya Shakti Party (NSP) have agreed to form a Left coalition to contest provincial and federal elections later this year. They have also formed a coordination committee that will work towards their unification into a single leftist party after the elections.

 This marks a major shift in Nepal’s polity because the status-quoist UML and the radical Maoists have been at loggerheads for decades and have differed on significant issues — in particular, state restructuring after the Constituent Assembly elections of 2008 and 2013. While these parties worked together along with other political forces in the run-up to abolishing the monarchy, there has been little love lost between them over the past decade. But the Maoists have also undergone a series of splits during this period. Hardline sections led by Mohan Baidya ‘Kiran’ and Netra Bikram Chand branched off to form their own parties, while Baburam Bhattarai, who preferred greater parliamentary engagement and was unflinching on the state restructuring demand, also left the parent party. So far the UML has been steadfast in opposing greater federalisation, basing its argument on the principle of national unity, while the Maoist-Centre has changed positions depending on the prevailing power equations to suit its chairman, and ex-Prime Minister, Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’.

In the run-up to the elections, Mr. Dahal sees a possibility of winning more seats by being in a Left alliance, which is why he chose to talk to the UML even though he currently shares power with the Nepali Congress. The UML did well overall in the local body elections held recently, but fared relatively poorly in the second phase of the polls in which a greater number of the contests were in the Terai region. The Maoists surprised many with a decent haul in this phase. Electorally it makes sense for the two parties to come together in an alliance. The addition of the NSP gives the alliance what is perceived by some as intellectual heft — its leader, Mr. Bhattarai, had been the prime mover in the Maoists giving up their armed struggle and joining the democratic process. In aligning with the UML and the Maoists, Mr. Bhattarai may have to relent on his key demand of state restructuring — but perhaps this was already inevitable following the Madhesi parties’ poor show in the recent elections. It remains to be seen how the contradictions over this issue will be resolved in the future, even if they hope that a call for national unity and social justice will calm the Madhesis. For the Nepali Congress, the new Left alliance will be a difficult adversary to overcome, and it would have to strive to bring other centrist forces under its own “democratic” alliance. The Madhesi parties, however, may well be left in the lurch.

Vocabulary

Unexpected: not expected or regarded as likely to happen.

Example: His death was totally unexpected

Synonyms: unforeseen, unanticipated, unpredicted, unlooked-for, sudden, abrupt

Coalition: an alliance for combined action, especially a temporary alliance of political parties forming a government or of states.

Example: A coalition of conservatives and disaffected Democrats

Synonyms: alliance, union, partnership, bloc, caucus, federation, league

Coordination: the ability to use different parts of the body together smoothly and efficiently.

Example: Changing from one foot position to another requires coordination and balance

Loggerhead: a reddish-brown turtle with a very large head, occurring chiefly in warm seas.

Example: The second turtle, a loggerhead turtle , was taken in by aquarium personnel when it was still a hatchling.

Monarchy: a form of government with a monarch at the head.

Example: You can see that the resulting difference in the constitution may be enormous: anywhere from social democracy to absolute monarchy

Unflinching: not showing fear or hesitation in the face of danger or difficulty.

Example: He has shown unflinching determination throughout the campaign

Synonyms: resolute, determined, single-minded, dogged, steadfast, solid

Steadfast: resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering.

Example: Steadfast loyalty

Synonyms: loyal, faithful, committed, devoted, dedicated, dependable

Decent: of an acceptable standard; satisfactory.

Example: Find me a decent cup of coffee

Synonyms: satisfactory, reasonable, fair, acceptable, adequate

Perceive: become aware or conscious of something.

Example: His mouth fell open as he perceived the truth

Synonyms: discern, recognize, become aware of, see, distinguish

Hefty: large, heavy, and powerful.

Example: A hefty young chap

Synonyms: burly, heavy, sturdy, strapping, bulky, brawny, husky, strong

Resolve: firm determination to do something.

Example: She received information that strengthened her resolve

Synonyms: decision, resolution, commitment