Is it really needed?

The Himalayan Times

8 June 2016

Is it really needed?

The idea of forming a national consensus government at this juncture sounds interesting and seems to be going on for some time. However, it does not also seem easy considering the principle and philosophy of each major party which has its own political interest and priorities. Now, the parliament, which is the transformation of the second Constituent Assembly, is in place and perfectly functioning in line with the multiparty parliamentary democracy. In this system, the presence of strong opposition party and its effective role is vital.

Once the nine point agreement was signed between UML and CPN Centre, the Oli led coalition government had survived. But, the tacit agreement that is claimed to have been reached between PM Oli and Prachanda has now remained to be the cause of political confrontation triggering another political polarization rather than forging consensus on forming a national unity government. Prachanda has been going around saying that there was a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ between him and PM Oli about the change of guard of the government after the passage of the new fiscal budget, a claim Oli has denied.

Surprisingly, Prachanda is now in favour of leading a national consensus government rather than a majority one “Consensus government first priority” (THT, 7 June, Page 3). Is a national government really necessary at this time? Is it possible to form such government at this situation?

Rai Biren Bangdel

Maharajgunj.

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