TIME RUNNING OUT

The Kathmandu Post

11 September 2016

TIME RUNNING OUT

Time seems to be running fast for the government to implement the new constitution. In the remaining 18 months, all the three tiers of elections should be held without any excuses. Unless the Dahal led coalition government bring out a detailed work plan for the next 18 months and try to strictly follow it, the chances of Nepal to be federated seem dismal. Question may arise here as to what will happen if the government failed to enact the law related to the elections on time. What will happen if the government fails to implement the new constitution by the end of the remaining 18 months?

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, while directing the members of High-level Federalism Implementation and Restructuring Directive Committee in his office, has instructed them to work firmly for the implementation of federalism (“Work firmly to implement federalism: Pm to officials” 7 September, Page 3). But saying and doing are two separate things. Will all the political forces accept the final report of the committee? The disgruntled parties are still are still demanding realignment of federal states. If their concerns are not addressed, any effort to hold local election will remain useless. It has been difficult for the people to understand why the government does not quickly move forward to bring the agitating parties on board and settle the outstanding political and constitutional problems as soon as possible.

On the other hand, the UML led opposition parties do not seem comfortable in amending the new constitution and address the demands of the agitating forces. In this situation arises, the government may fail to fulfil its promises made to the people that the new constitution will be implemented on time. If the constitution is not implemented, the country may plunge into another political uncertainty. Keeping this in mind, all the major political parties should set aside their political egos and waste no time in coming to consensus on critical political and constitutional issues. Otherwise, their political existence may become questionable.

Rai Biren Bangdel

Maharajgunj

http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/printedition/news/2016-09-11/time-running-out.html