Will parties ever understand consensus politics?
When major parties aligned last year to elect Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal as the new prime minister of republic Nepal, critics had pointed out a difficult role for Nepali Congress as an opposition, as the party had ruled the country for the most part since 1990’s political change in the country.
Six months outside of the government, Nepali Congress now seems to be ready to flex its muscles against the Maoist-led government in and undeclared and feeble attempt to find replacement of, possibly under its leadership. Speculations were already rife that in spite of the fact the party leaders are saying they would work to topple the coalition. Their statements that the government would collapse due to internal dispute is indirect, but sufficient to give a sense that NC views itself as an alternative to the current government leadership.
The unruly behaviour by Young Communist League and Maoists’ attempt to take advantage of parliamentary recess to promulgate ordinances made not only the opposition party but coalition partners furious. Girija Prasad Koirala, the NC president, for the first time since he walked out of Baluwatar, attended a meting at his office Monday, together with 17 other partners to gather support against the Maoists.
Growing disenchantment from the second largest member of the coalition government, CPN (UML), towards the way the government is functioning has enthused confidence in the Koirala camp to look for an alternative coalition. Monday’s meeting was not quite helpful for Koirala who could not garner support from Madhesi Janadhikar Forum. Koirala told the gathering that Maoists have cling on to their mission to rule the nation in an authoritarian manner.
Nepali Congress leaders have intensified their verbal attack against what they call continuing assault on democratic culture by the Maoist-led government. The decision of the Unified Maoist’s parliamentary party to keep up its mission for ultimately establishing a communist rule in Nepal has infuriated many democrats, not alone NC. The ordinances, already approved by President Dr Ram Baran Yadav, are the immediate means but reality lies behind as democrats fear communist majority in Nepal.
NC’s spokesperson Arjun Narsingh K.C was toeing Koirala’s line Tuesday while addressing a party’s mass meeting in a southern district, alleging that Maoists of ruling the nation in a dictatorial manner, but he didn’t offer any explanation.
The NC president on Tuesday charged that Maoists interfered even into educational institutions, specifically Tribhuvan University, by instigating local residents to demonstrate against the university administration and termed this action as part of the mission of the Maoist to dismantle the democratic values.
The coalition partner CPN (UML), as usual of its character, is playing in the middle. The party which agreed on promulgating the ordinances flipped its decision within 48 hours to suit Nepali Congress. In the one hand, the UML is taking support from NC to put pressure on Maoists and on the other, bargaining with the Maoists to ensure a greater say in cabinet decisions should the coalition government be continued.
The upcoming general convention is likely to determine whether the UML finds itself closer to the Nepali Congress or the Maoists. General secretary Khanal’s victory is likely to lead for further attachment with Maoists while KP Oli or Madhav Nepal bouncing back into leadership is certain to turn UML away from the current coalition.
The cabinet on Monday tried to soothe Nepali Congress through a swift action for implementation of the nine-point demanded forwarded by the party, something that was ignored for months despite repeated commitments from Prime Minister. The government’s offer of facilities to Koirala could be yet another hook to distract NC from going to streets.
The widening rift among the parties has given rise to political polarisation which does not concur to the need of present Nepal. Irresponsibility on the part of the Maoists as they called for political polarisation through communist alliance would only be justified when Nepali Congress and other ‘democrats’ gang up on them. Nepal needs fair play and working unity among diverse political groups until this country gets a new constitution is desirable.
The meeting point is not too distant. All the political parties need to do is to show sincerity. Replacement of the current government will lead to further chaos and instability while bypassing the parliament will also weaken democratic practice and increasing tension among the political forces will lead to failure of the peace process and mission of new and prosperous Nepal –what many Nepalis have dreamt after the decade long insurgency – will be incomplete. Parties must commit to democratic values and should unite to provide a stable government at least until the country gets a new constitution.
Published in Nepalnews.com