By Our Reporter
The split in the ruling Nepal Communist Party has put the political course of the country in uncertainty.
When general people badly affected by the coronavirus and its effects on their daily life are expressing their rage against Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and his government for dissolving the parliament unconstitutionally, the rival faction of NCP are busy consolidating their strength now.
While the Prachanda-Nepal faction has announced protest programmes, the Oli faction has been organising mass meetings to tell the party cadres why the House was dissolved and why the split occurred. The faction led by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli organised a big rally in Janakpur on Tuesday, and his men in Kathmandu looked happy seeing the crowd in Janakpur.
While both sides are busy criticising the rival leaders by organising rallies, and claiming that they are mainstream NCP, party sympathizers are waiting to see as to which faction will be bigger and stronger.
If one looks at the lawful committees of the NCP, there is no doubt that the faction led by Prachanda-Nepal enjoys a comfortable majority in both the central committee and Party Standing Committee. This faction also dominates the district committees and the sister organisations. However, as people tend to run after power, the faction led by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli could steal leaders and cadres of the rival factions giving power and paisa. Prime Minister Oli already stole Prabhu Sah, his critic, and Raghubir Mahaseth, a leader close to Prachanda-Nepal camp, by offering them the posts of ministers.
As the faction is in power, it could try its best to get the recognition of the official NCP from the Election Commission. Because of these factors, the aggressive cadres and those expecting the posts of benefits from the party are behind Oli.
Again, the Oli faction has spread a message that they were the true followers of Madan Bhandari’s People’s Multiparty Democracy (JBJ). It has also portrayed Oli as a nationalist figure citing the issuance of a new map of Nepal. However, many blind supporters have been unaware of the fact that India, especially its intelligence agency, had its hands in instigating Oli for taking the unconstitutional move. Moreover, they do not want to hear how PM Oli gave protection to corrupt and how he was trying to centralise power. This is why more lower-level party cadres are now with Oli.
Once the genuine cadres come to know about his true colour, and if the Prachanda-Nepal faction gets the recognition of official party, many will desert Oli. And if the House is reinstated, the Oli faction will be finding it difficult to maintain its existence because reinstatement of the House could end the political career of many leaders now close to Oli.
Again, Oli faction is weak in the city areas as the city people know well how he has failed to run the government and the party and how corrupt politicians got protection under his leadership. His base is already too weak in the Tarai.
Thus, at present Prachanda-Nepal faction looks rich in leaders and Oli in youth cadres. However, if elections are held in April/May, the strength of both the factions can be tested. Nevertheless, NC may emerge as the largest party. However, many observers believe that elections in April/May are impossible given the present circumstances.
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