Nepal elections: Catholic Church does not take sides, prays for peace
Kathmandu (AsiaNews) - Nepal's Catholic Church has called on the faithful to pray that the elections scheduled for 19 November take place in a peaceful atmosphere. "The Church," the bishop of Kathmandu Mgr Anthony Sharma told AsiaNews, "does not give voting instructions. The faithful are free to choose among the 134 parties running to renew the Constituent Assembly."
The election on 19 November comes after five years of political chaos in which four coalition governments failed to agree on a democratic constitution after centuries of a Hindu monarchy.
For Bishop Anthony Sharma, it is doubtful that things will change quickly. "With 134 parties running for the election, what kind of government will we have? Will the vote take place in a peaceful environment? "
In months of campaigning, the main political parties, the Congress Party (conservative) and the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) have tried to reassure the population by saying that once in power they would draft a constitution within a year. "I wonder if what political leaders are saying will happen," Mgr Sharma said.
"Catholics are a minority among minorities, and we are still without a voice," the Bishop of Kathmandu said. Hence, a democratic constitution for him would be a great opportunity for religious and ethnic minorities if it formally recognises religious freedom and equal treatment of minorities, granting them rights that are presently the prerogative of Hindus, Buddhists and Hindu sects.
So far, only extremists led by former Maoist official Mohan Baidhya are opposed to the vote, announcing a general strike for today against the election.
Still, despite extremist threats, most political parties are in favour of electing new leaders and renewing the country's democratic process.
In order to prevent clashes, the government has deployed soldiers and police across the country.
According to the Himalayan Times, Nepal's main national newspaper, extremist groups opposed to voting have carried out recent attacks.
Yesterday, two bombs exploded in Taplejung in the country's northeast. The homemade explosive devices went off just before the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist-Leninist were to hold a conference.
On Saturday night, unknown assailants opened fire on Rajendra Kumar Kiranti, leader of the Maoist party in Sandkhuwasabha District (Kosi, eastern Nepal). He was unhurt.
On the same night, a handmade bomb was found at the headquarters of the Communist Party in Ilam District (eastern Nepal).
Three more bombs were found and defused on the Mechi-Mahakali highway, which connects eastern and western Nepal.
A convoy carrying Maoist officials was also targeted. It included the party's historic leader and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal (aka Prachanda) on his way to a number of election rallies around the country.
For Nawaraj Silwal, police chief in the eastern region, extremists led by Baidhya were probably involved.
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