Warning: I didn't plan this comment to be this long... but when it comes down to speaking my views about my country, I am sorry I get carried away.
--
I have been reading some threads to see how our Sajhaites have viewed the current trend in CA election results. I am glad that, despite the difference in opinions, most of the comments originate with the feeling of great love for our precious country.  That's why we are Nepali. We love it deeply!

But as it has been stressed numerous times in the media, this is definitely a crucial period in the history of Nepal. It will be stupid for us to ignore that there are several paths the country might follow under the new leadership. Should Maoists abadon their promise of running a multi-party "democracy" government and attempt for a "communist" regime, then the grounds will not be as smooth. But, if they abide by the promises of their election campaigns to the people of Nepal, to whom they have aspired so much hope for a better life, then in the context of Nepal, it might actually be good for the country. Afterall, all I care about is good for the people and the country, in which rights are honored and people have fair and equal opportunity to develop their potential. (By 'equal', I mean equal opportunities, ie. slackers fail, hardworkers progress). Last thing I care is the ideology affiliated tag based on some other historical context, which often illudes us from what we really care about.

We did have such a "democratic" system under NC and UML (and others)...The government under these groups had 18 years to fulfill their 1990 campaign promises. Although the country today is not the same as in 1990 (judging from the progress that has been made so far), still the inequalities, impoverishment, and underdevelopment are undeniably and unacceptably prevalent. The governance, as we all can agree upon, was unsuccessful and was primarily for "personal development" rather than directed towards the development of our country. In my personal opinion, that is a huge failure. Nevertheless, it will again be stupid to deny that many people had opportunities to develop their potential under such "democratic" government. That's why we are here in America, studying, working, raising our families, and even writing on Sajha. But when we sit in our sofa and turn on the TV to relax, we often forget those that have been left behind in our poor villages of Nepal where even the most basic rights have not been guaranteed. It is quite shameful and sad. All I would like to see is those people also receive the same opportunity to discover what is out there for them, without being suppressed or denied based on their caste, socio-economic condition or gender. But this has to be done the "right" way with right minds. We must not also forget that "communism" can, and has shown to, produce negative consequences for not just the ones who already are better off, but also for the ones to whom this ideology seeks to benefit. So, the key is to cherry pick the "right" ideas that are good not just for one group or ideology but for all, in a fair "democratic" manner. (That is why I do not associate myself with one particular party.)

As an optimist, and standing on the same platorm as many other Nepalese who voted for Maoists, I am hopeful that a positive change can occur in Nepal. This orginates mostly from my disappointment of the older parties and their inability to bring significant change to our country. Assuming what Prachanda, Bhattarai and other Maoist leaders have promised and praised (in their campaigns and in conferences and meetings with the international community) in their slogans is coming from their heart for the love of Nepal and development of the lives of Nepalese, I think they should be given a chance... Let's see if they have the guts to defy the sytem of corruption and "personal development" and work towards "converting Nepal into Switzerland."  That's what we want, isn't it? If that's we want, then wouldn't it be stupid for us to tag ourselves with the biases and personal hatred for a particular group to hypocritically deny what we want?

The violent path they used to come to this state, the process in which 15000 of our fellow citizens became martyrs, is very difficult to justify, if justifiable in the first place. But, we will be able to better judge that in few years from now. Since the new leadership represents the will of the people, it must be upheld; otherwise, we will be lying to us by calling ourselves believing in democracy.

Jai Nepal...

Well wrote Mr. I am 99% agree with you. The only thing bothers me is, How do those families feel when their brother/father, were being dragged out and cut throat by Maoists, just like terrorists  in Iraq did to those poor 12 Nepalese. How do those daughters feel in Australia (I think) when their Father IGP Shrestha and his wife were shot dead in the morning? Can Prachanda justify that????????

Violence was done by both sides,not a single one.Among those 15,000 killed more than half was killed and abducted by state.U feel pity to those sons and daughters in Australia,who is gonna think of those who r in Rukum and Rolpa.Their parents were killed because they were suspects.Is that fair?Lot of girls were raped by the patrolling team of soldiers.Go in the rural parts of Nepal and ask: with whom they fear most,maoist or army?These are the bitter past of Nepal.No one can justify that,neither Moaist nor State.We r looking forward with a new vision so that these kinds of incidents wont happen again.If we still talk about those past and are not determined to go further,our country will be devastated.Maoist are Nepali too and they love Nepal.Its not like that they hate Nepal and dont wanna any progress.There have been representation from every sectors so lets hope for a bright future.

Maoist were like a drug addicts.they went in rehabilitation center and telling that they wont take drugs again.All of us know wat happens if every body  continues to show the same behaviour as they were addicts......Time is dynamic and keeps on changing....

Bishal123, that is definitely something that boils my blood: innocent victims and the sufferings that they have to go through. Prachanda I don't think can justify that... He has been saying something in the line as ' this is what happens in "war" or 'we do make mistakes.' But innocent people, such as you mentioned, are the ones who have to bear the cost. So, the questions still lingers... I wish I had a better answer for you. I am a simple ordinary citizen trying to make sense out of all these complexities.

I am agree with  you on Royal Army and Police killed and raped several people, that 'Kukarma' was done by some individuals. I don't think Gyanedra or Girija or Man Mohan Adhikari or Not even Sher Bahadu ordered to do such a thing. But Prachanda and Baburam did they order to attack innocent policemen and army who is doing their job to feed their families.

In modern Nepal's history, we never had 15000 casualties until Maoists started so called 'People's War'. War against who?? own brother, mother, sister???

If there was  'Panchayat system' then, that would be unterstandale to raise weapons, cause we didn't have freedom, you couldn't open party to ask for vote to the people . But they went to Jungle when we had freedom of press, freedom to open party every thing you name it. Even 'Mandale' had opened a party, they went to the people, they got some sits in the parliament, their voice was heard. That's what happens in a civilized society. Everbody has right to go to the poll. And if you get more vote then you run a coutnry. Why in the world Maoist had to go to jungle and fight with Nepal Army. Why they didn't go to the poll and tell the whole country that what's Gyanendra, Girija, Madave Nepal doing. WHY DID THEY KILL 15000 PEOPLE????????? I think (don't get me wrong) king Birendra and Gyanendra are better than Prachanda in  term of killing innocent people. Dont' you honestly think they could kill more than 100,000 people if they wanted???? Have you heard anywhere in the world people gave up their power so easily??? specially 240 years they ruled over us. would you??? In 1990 only10-15 were killed, rest of all killed by mistake bcause they ran out side and Royal army didn't know, about King's speech.

I just want to stop here, I just hope for the best. And I do accept the result cause I belive in poll. Not in guns.

 

Just found this video on Youtube. Might be useful in figuring what Maoists have in mind. But I am a skeptic yet I am optimist.

I hope Bhattarai is not just saying it for the sake of saying it. Definitely don't want any more false hopes. AND, hope the way they plan to adjust to the current needs derives ideas more from the "democratic" principles than from old style communism.

<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/8cKoXXh3OiU&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="https://www.youtube.com/v/8cKoXXh3OiU&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

here is the video... hope it works this time.