politics

Ok, let’s begin with the question: How many of you don’t believe US Presidential Race of Democrats is all about Gender and Race?

May be the candidates deny this or want to play safe, but it’s all about race and gender. Many of you might call me feminist or racist, but this is the reality.

Ok let’s again come to some more questions, why Hilary is loosing despite she has better issues or experience than Barack Obama? Why people only refer her experience as First Lady than as NY Senator? Why people term her loosing confidence when she’s soft and over smart when’s she’s tough? Or the main theme of whole affair is, US is not yet ready for first Female President? Survey says so. Around 33% Americans are not ready for female president compare to 27% who are not ready for Black President.
I was watching Mississippi Primaries on CNN with my mom, and suddenly she said “Why Hilary is loosing? Is it something to do with male chauvinism?” I replied her back “well it’s not only about male chauvinism; young girls are also deserting her.” And she replied back when they are old enough to be her age, they will realize what mistake they made when they had chance. And I know by her look, she’s secretly wishing Hilary might go to become US President. I know she’s got nothing to benefit from her but still she wants her to win. May be she find herself in her, may be!
Suddenly an image of invisible women came back to my memory. Women might be talented but are sidelined as their age goes on. Hello, it’s not only Nepal but also US. Sean Connery still commands Hollywood in some sense but where are the women of his time? People love to talk about Pravin Giri, our very own newsreader but where female news anchors of his time went? Be in any profession, women are sidelined as the age ladder goes up.
And there’s exception: Hilary Clinton. She’s 57, refreshing, charming with immense talent. But hold on, there’s problem. People still want her to be invisible. Journalists love to talk about her suit pants, her look and her secret of being so charming instead of her expertise, her talent and her. Have we heard journalist so interested about Obama’s suits or his secret of charm which people relate with John F. Kenedy? The answer is crystal clear: a big NO. So why this difference? I couldn’t help but wonder: Has it got something to do with male chauvinism as my mom suggest?
I was flashing through The Time and I read one article suggesting many American males don’t want her because she reminds them of their mother. But hold on, it’s not loving mother but it’s shouting mother. So people don’t vote her because she’s women, women and women.
And many people might question back: So what’s this with race? Obama is black and 27% people are not ready for black for black president? Yes, he’s black and 27% might oppose him but he’s still a man! The wonder man in fact. When people were voting in South Carolina, a black majority state, many thought Hilary might do better there since she has worked so hard for black’s rights. But when it comes to pay back, they choose their own color. May be men choose him because he’s man but females choose their race over their gender. It’s like we voting for Prashant Tamang during his quest for Indian Idol. The race comes first no matter what.

Yes, Obama has got white votes equally too and especially young votes but only rhetoric CHANGE can’t be the reason. If we look at his work as senator it shows that he’s star with minor role. The New York Times reported that he was almost an outsider and disappointed many Democrats not becoming a more prominent voice in other important debates.
He gets votes because he’s young and charming which many people can relate with. And he talks about the dream New America and Change which people always dream of and above all he’s male. In fact THE BLACK MALE.
Insulting black man is racism for which you have to pay lot. But insulting women is nothing compared to racism. Whatever his color be, if you choose male still you have got sense of male dominance in the White House. And many people don’t want the shift in power cycle.

Well, Yesterday CPN Maoist’s plenum unanimously endorsed chairman Prachanda’s political and organizational report, which states that proportional electoral system and declaration of a republic are preconditions for the upcoming Constituent Assembly elections. But the Maoists’ latest preconditions have seriously raised questions over their intention of Constituent Assembly (CA) Polls. Though their meeting has stated that the elections on November 22 are essential in order to bring about a peaceful revolt but their action have always been contrary to their words.
There are only 105 days left for much-awaited CA Polls. CPN Maoist and other Seven Political Parties agreed on mixed-proportional electoral system. Based on Nepal’s Interim Constitution 2063 and other Election Laws, Election Commission is busy in preparation. Voter education is going on, other necessary planning are being carried out but now CPN Maoists wants to change the entire system.

It was already agreed that CA Polls would decide the fate of Monarchy but Maoists wants declaration of Republic ASAP. They say if their 2 preconditions are not met, it’s worthless to have CA Polls. Does CA polls is just for declaration of Republic? Isn’t CA polls of entire restructure of Nepal and making it inclusive in terms of everything? How Maoists can set preconditions for the polls it previously agreed?

Political parties do not understand the ground reality. They are just worried that their agenda is not chosen or not being implied. Even if we decided to go full proportional electoral system, it will take ages to formulate regarding laws, educating voters and other preparations. So that means there won’t be CA Polls on November 22 (Mangsir 06, 2064 B.S.). Seeing activities of Young Communist League (YCL) of CPN Maoists, many parties were accusing them of shying away of polls, but now their preconditions have proved those allegations right. We had thoughts that only Pro-Palace people are not willing to go for polls and trying to obstruct polls, but CPN Maoists is also not ready for polls.

Why Maoists are not ready for polls? The reasons could be their dwindling popularity among people. During war period, people were afraid of them. Anyway who dared to speak against guns? Those who did, they are now counted among 13000 dead or lying somewhere helplessly. After April Uprising, people have huge expectation from them. But there’s one proverb in Nepali “Jun Jogi aaye pani kanai chireka”, they too were proved just another Kan Chireko Jogi. Their rule of terror didn’t go. In the form of YCL, they kept their terror. Joining government also, they couldn’t function well. All these and other unseen reason decreased their popularity. Now going to poll could fail them miserably. So they are trying to hold off the poll and in the mean time win people’s trust.

So they have now used two very popular cards i.e. full proportional electoral system and declaration of Republic. Well, they were in favor of these cards from beginning but later conceded to mixed-electoral system and decision on Monarchy by first meeting of CA Polls. If they are ready for polls, then why suddenly now they want these pre-conditions. Their intention is crystal clear, they don’t want election now.

Another irony is, full proportional system means parties have to allocate their parliamentary seats including every sector, every community of society, but they themselves are not inclusive. Either that’s Nepali Congress or CPN UML or CPM Maoists or any other parties, all are not transparently democratic and inclusive. All parties hue cry to make country and government inclusive but they themselves are not committed to inclusiveness.

For election, only Election Commission is worried. Instead of going to people and helping them to understand importance of CA Polls, parties are busy themselves giving speeches on polls condition. They say polls can’t be held on specific period. What’s happening to them? Do they forget we fought for entire abolishment of feudalism and establishment of democratic and transparent system? We didn’t fight against King to take parties to power. We fought for change, we fought for peace and we fought for democratization and development of Nepal. But it seems everyone is forgetting the spirit of April Uprising.