The surprise turnover of coalitions in Nepal for the second time in as many years has led to an alarm over political stability. In Nepal the nature of the polity and relative influence of the parties implies that a coalition has been an outcome in elections in the Republic period so far.
These coalitions have been repeatedly rocked by what former Indian Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae ascribes to as, “..shifting alliances, elastic ideologies of political parties and personal ambitions of leaders…”
Presently it is the proverbial tail wagging the coalition with the party which won the third largest seats being in government for the past year and a half or so. This situation is unlikely to change even when elections will be held as the two largest parties the Nepali Congress and the CPN UML are unlikely to muster enough seats to form a government on their own.
Nevertheless the present round of instability in Nepal is impacting the federal as well as the provincial governments. Provincial governments led by former ruling partner Nepali Congress will face challenges in Koshi, Gandaki, Lumbini and Sudurpaschim provinces while the CPN (Maoist Centre) is at the helm in Bagmati and Karnali provinces supported by the Nepali Congress. Coalition government in Madhesh is led by the Janata Samajbadi Party.
Common Minimum Programme
The ruling coalition has made public its common minimum programme, which encompasses various sectors including land management, forestry, climate adaptation and disaster management.
As per Kathmandu Post, it also addresses youth and sports, tourism, culture and social harmony, while emphasising women’s participation, empowerment, and social inclusion.
Furthermore, it commits to transitional justice, sustainable peace and defending national interests through an independent foreign policy among other crucial issues. In short, the overall focus is on economic upliftment and compensation to the victims of the insurgency period.
Dahal As PM for Full Tenure
One of the challenges in coalitions in Nepal has been an understanding in the coalition of tenure of the prime minister. Chairman of the CPN-UML, KP Oli and present prime minister Dahal fell out in the past of a unified communist party as Oli did not vacate the chair of PM for Dahal.
However, Oli has now stated that Dahal will most probably continue as the PM for a full term. UML Chairman Oli made these remarks during a press conference organized by Press Chautari Kailali in Dhangadhi as per the Republica.
While responding to a question by the media about rotation in the prime ministerial position, Oli expressed disinterest in assuming the role himself. “I don’t even want to become the Prime Minister,” he said.
Whether this assurance is sustained in the days ahead remains to be seen?