By Deepak Joshi Pokhrel
“Expect the unexpected,” goes the old saying. It seems this adage was made for Nepal as we have been witnessing political events unfolding unexpectedly. While the Israel-Palestine conflict has been grabbing international attention, our politicians were busy making plans to break out and form a new government. The incumbent Prime Minister, Pushpakamal Dahal, ditched the Nepali Congress led by Sher Bahadur and reached out to CPN-UML under KP Oli leadership floating the proposal to join hands and form the new government. As expected, Oli, whose political career seemed a little shaky after his government dissolved the parliament in December 2020, agreed and formed the new government singing eight-point agreement.
Well, this is not the first time our ruling coalition has ditched coalition partners for their personal advantage. Likewise, this is also not the first time Prachanda has sidelined Deuba and joined hands with Oli. Over the years, the process of ditching one coalition partner and joining hands with the opposition has become the accepted principle of our politics.
Just to recall, CPN- Maoist (Centre) under the leadership of Dahal and KP Oli-led CPN-UML joined hands to form the coalition government under the leadership of Oli in 2018. This was viewed as a landmark decision given the political instability that had been taking a high toll on every aspect of the country. Both agreed to take turns in leading the government. But many political pundit says that Oli who was so passionate about power undermined the agreement altogether. He even refused to step down as per the gentlemen’s agreement thereby annoying Dahal who was eyeing to lead the remaining term after Oli stepped down. This did not happen. The arrogant Oli instead of adhering to his commitment dissolved the parliament inviting political and constitutional disaster in December 2020. Since then, Oli and Prachanda severed their ties and they were at each other’s throats.
However, everyone was taken aback when Dahal pardoned his long-held enemy and reached out to him floating the proposal to rejoin hands and form a government under his leadership. Given the animosity between Prachanda and Oli following the 2020 episode, no one had ever thought that they would ever come together under one banner again. But, in Nepalese politics, even the fiercest foe becomes a friend and vice versa if it is for their personal benefit. Now, it remains to be seen whether the two communists have come together with genuine intention to improve the socio-economic and political aspects of the country.
With the signing of the eight-point agreement the other day, the two communists have come together marking the beginning of left alliance chapter two. Immediately after the left coalition: Chapter Two, people across the country have been raising key questions. They ask whether the left alliance chapter 2 will remain intact till the next general election or coalition partners will walk away citing political dissatisfaction. Likewise, they express their concern about whether the major objective of our politicians is just breaking and forming the government. We need a convincing explanation.
The democracy was restored in 1990 after several peaceful and bloodless movements. In more than thirty years of experience with democracy, we have not been able to rise above power sharing. The politician’s lust for power is the biggest threat to us at the moment hindering the nation’s rapid economic development. Be it Deuba, Prachanda or Oli, they have one thing in common. The trio will ditch anyone if it meets their personal benefit.
There is a grave violation of human rights. The economy is in crisis. Every year, thousands of skilled youths have been migrating abroad seeking better opportunities. Corruption and high voltage scams are the other challenges facing the nation. To our utter dismay, our politicians who are supposed to serve the people are busy breaking and forming the government.
Cutting a joke at the recent left coalition, the netizens on social media have been saying that we are fortunate that Lord Pashupathinath resides here. He is saving the nation. We would have been left in a lurch had the Pashupathinath not been here. The recent political unfolding events validate this claim by the netizens.
The left coalition has earned a notorious name in Nepal given their past behavior concerning power sharing. Already there is a tell-tale situation. Power-sharing has been a thorn in the side of the Left Alliance in the past. Dahal and CPN-UML chief and former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, are both strong personalities who have previously clashed over who gets to occupy the prime minister’s post. Such disagreements led to the dissolution of a short-lived unity party formed by the merger of the Maoists and the CPN-UML.
People are fed up with frequent change of guard. They give mandate thinking that their leaders irrespective of their political ideology will join hands for rapid economic development and lasting peace. Contrary to their expectation, the politicians are passionate about ignoring the larger interest of the nation and people. Now people cannot endure any political instability as they have had enough. Rapid economic growth, sustainable development, rule of law, effective service delivery, access to justice, end of malpractice and corruption are their major concerns.
They want good governance and stable government- be it led by the left coalition or the Nepali Congress. We hope that they are listening to our concerns and take the pledge that their utmost responsibility is to work for the welfare of the nation and its people. Meanwhile, we wish good luck to the left coalition chapter two.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect People’s Review’s editorial stance.
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