DIFFICULT DAYS

The Kathmandu Days

31 July 2016

DIFFICULT DAYS

The time has come now for the new coalition government, supposedly to be led by Prachanda, to be sincere and serious in addressing the political and constitutional issues raised by the Sanghiya Gathabandhan, a larger alliance comprising the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) and Janajati forces. Both the CPN MC and the NC’s senior leaders should waste no time and should immediately sit with the disgruntled forces to bring them on board and settle the problems once for all. The SLMM has clearly put forward its position about joining the new government (“Morcha puts caveat to join govt” 27 July, Page 1).

The Oli led government had missed this opportunity due to prime minister’s anarchical working style. He continued demonstrating empathy towards the agitating forces and showing his intention of tiring them out. If I am not wrong, this was one of the reasons among others for his government’s ouster. His domineering working approach contributed towards the polarisation of the nation (“Mixed legacy” 26 July, Page 6). It is high time that the new coalition government learned the necessary lessons from the Oli led government’s mishandling of the Madhes issue and acted swiftly to resolve it.

However, it is yet to be seen how Prachanda and Deuba would handle this political and constitutional problem. It seems that UML will take the opposition bench and will act as an obstacle to amending the constitution. If this happens, the forthcoming government will not be able to resolve the political crisis inviting further political uncertainty which may affect the holding of three tiers of election in the next 18 months. The implementation of new constitution will also remain doubtful. This situation may create constitutional crisis in the country. The big three need to be sensible and serious considering the critical political situation during the remaining period of this transitional phase.

Rai Biren Bangdel

Maharajgunj