NEW DELHI, May 9 (UPI) -- The new democratic government of Nepal is keen to reverse earlier decisions taken by the pro-monarchy regime and assert political power now at its disposal, Indian political analysts said Tuesday.
"Nepalese Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has quickly understood the principle of political survival as he sacked 12 ambassadors and a large number of government officials appointed by the previous pro-king regime," said A. B. Mahapatra, director of the Centre for Asian Strategic Studies, a New Delhi-based think tank.
Though difficult to implement, he said the decision had received widespread praise, with the people of Nepal providing legitimacy to the Koirala government. Since assuming power one week ago, the Seven Party Alliance government has announced a cease-fire and removed the "terrorist" tag from armed Maoist rebels to bring them into the political mainstream.
The SPA government also declared that it would hold elections to the constituent assembly to prepare, and subsequently adopt, a new constitution that scraps the absolute powers of King Gyanendra -- including power to dismiss an elected government.
Fulfilling its assurance to the Nepalese people, the government has also set up a commission headed by a respected former judge of Nepal's Supreme Court to probe and recommend punishment against security officials who ordered excesses against protesters.
The SPA regime has recalled ambassadors from the United States, India, Britain, France, Russia, Japan, Pakistan and Myanmar on grounds they were espousing the palace line. In addition, it has moved to implement a 12-point peace agreement with the Maoists under which both the SPA and the rebels have agreed not to allow the Royal Nepalese Army to remain under King Gyanendra's control.
The army has thus far shown signs of disdain for the cease-fire declared by the Koirala government, and for proposals that it answer to Parliament and not to the royal palace.
The international community has asked the SPA government to prepare a blueprint for development in rural areas, particularly in southern Nepal. They have also asked the regime to free political prisoners still held in several jails.
"The Western nations are also convincing the SPA regime to work for disarming Maoist cadres and sending the RNA back to the barracks. There is talk of an amendment to the 1990 constitution, where the RNA will be under the control of the elected government and not the palace," said analyst Mahapatra.
The SPA government fears that if the elected government fails to win the confidence of the people within a stipulated timeframe, the situation could further deteriorate. Analysts say this would help Maoist rebels, who have thus far refused to disarm until demands are met, harden their position in bargaining for power.
The Maoists have been pressing for elections to the constituent assembly within six months, insisting they would consider disarming and joining the political mainstream only after the constituent assembly is formed and a new constitution comes into force.
Analysts say the Koirala government knows it can not afford to sideline the rebels at any point in time because the Maoists command popular support, particularly in the poorer reaches of rural Nepal.
Although the Koirala government has received praise for sacking a large number of pro-monarchy officials, their efforts have created a vacuum affecting the day-to-day functioning of the government.
