Monday, November 24, 2008

Open Letter

Dear Dr. Bhattarai,
Encouraged by your replies to these questions I write to you now to bring up an issue that is not articulated often. Ever since the rise of the Maoists to power there has been intense resentment among some groups towards them. Nonetheless the Maoists do enjoy considerable support without which this election victory would have been impossible. Although the merits of arguments that question the validity of such support, or the reasons for the resentment are debatable I will in this note shy away from them, and focus on the demographics that are "pro and anti Maoist".
It seems that the people of Nepal, and indeed the rest of the world, are divided into the haves and have-nots. This although a simplification of a situation which clearly is not black and white, and has numerous grey areas in between, does represent the situation broadly.
There are those that have things to lose, and they are apprehensive of the change that the Maoists party might bring as leaders of the nation. Then there are those that have nothing to lose, and can only hope that this change from the status quo of corruption, greed and self-serving politics, will somehow elevate their position in society and the standards of their lives.
The question I pose is this. What steps can be taken, or will you take to make sure that these two groups, that are equally important role players in the future growth and prosperity of the nation, move ahead in a spirit of reconciliation? I hope you appreciate that an extended class-warfare can only be a detriment to growth, and if steps are not taken that is where it looks like we may be headed to.
I see a lot of support for you sir, and then I see a lot of resentment, negativity, non-constructive criticism, and some comments that are downright ignorant. However a person of your standing and experience must have some mechanism to deal with these. I hope you keep working towards a better future for our nation and prove the nay-sayers wrong. You have my support as long as you sort out the problems within your own party in relatively good time, and work towards the promises you have made to the millions of this country.

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