Politics,what else?

Last week in politics - Yubraj Special

Election in 23 days

Since the last daily report, most parties have made their manifestos public. Here are some of the highlights from the 3 major parties.

Federalism - NC and CPN- UML have not made clear the number and criteria for drawing up federal zones. CPN-Maoist has proposed federal zones based on ethnic demography with 11 federal states. Proposals from other parties includes the entire Terai as a Madhes state by Terai Madhesh Loktantric Party.

Executive power - NC and UML propose a prime-ministerial system with a ceremonial president. The difference is that NC wants the prime minister to be chosen by the parliament (the Indian model) whereas UML wants direct elections for the post. CPN-M proposes a "french-style" presidency with Prachanda as the president.

Regarding Maoist combatants - Neither NC nor CPN-UML spell out their policies regarding PLA sodiers. NC does not mention the issue, whereas UML's manifesto says it will "integrated and managed in agreement." CPN-M has maintained that the two armed forces in Nepal will be integrated after democratization of the Nepal army and professionlization of the PLA soldiers.

Post-election government - This is likely to be the most contentious issue after the elections are held. The NC says that the future government should be made in agreement among the different parties. CPN-UML has proposed that the party which gets the highest number of seats should lead the government (for obvious reason that it thinks it will be on top) and CPN-M has proposed an executive president elected by the CA for the interim period, until the new constitution is made.

Regarding the Maoist manifesto, it basically portrays the CA election, the consensus on the need for federalism, and the end of Monarchy on as the victory for the "people's war." However, it does not define its "21st century's new people's democracy" extensively and leaves room for doubting the party's commitment to multiparty democracy.

As the election campaigns gain momentum, there's wide coverage in the media about the breach of code of conduct. Initial grivances were agaist wall paintings carried out previously (before the code came into effect) by the Maoists. However, recent activities of YCL have also come under spotlight with almost daily incidences of YCL cadres have either beat up or disrupted rallies of UML in Chitwan, NC in Okhaldhunga, Rastriya Janashakti Party in Dhankuta, RPP in Sindhupalchowk, among others. NC and UML have declared that they will send their youth organizations to hilly districts where the YCL has been most active.

With the rise in number of complaints of violation of the code of conduct with impunity, the election commission has formed a five member commission in each district to implement the code.

Fourteen international organizations have confirmed that they will observe the elections on April 10.

In another news, GP Koirala has said that he'll step down after the CA election are held. Sher Bahadur Deuba has added that he's the heir apparent. KP Oli, a senior leader of the UML, insists that it will be Madhav Kumar Nepal. Similarly, KP Bhattarai, who is slightly older than GP Koirala, is the founder of NC, and renounced his membership the party after it went republican reportedly had this to say -

"I am ready to join the active politics to save the monarchy...I will live until I reach hundred years…I will become the prime minister again…may be tomorrow".

Meanwhile, in rest of the world....

PSOE, the socialist party in Spain, has won the election for the second time.

The conservatives have "won" the elections in Iran. Reformists question vote counting procedures.

The New parliament convenes in Pakistan, spelling more trouble for Musharraf.

Monks protest against Beijing policies in Lhasa. The Tibetan government in exile claims that up to 80 have died in subsequent crackdown. OHCHR in Nepal has drawn the government's attention to the gratuitous use of force by security personnel in during demonstations by Tibetans outside the UN offices in Nepal.

Best wishes.