UNIFICATION

The Kathmandu Post

3 April 2018

UNIFICATION

It has been almost four months since the provincial and federal elections were held. Nepal has now started experiencing federal system with all the local, provincial and federal governments in place. The left alliance has been able to form its powerful government in the centre and six provincial governments out of seven provinces. Madhes based parties have jointly formed their government in province 2. Despite many difficulties, all the provincial governments have started their official businesses.

The Oli led federal government was in favour of bringing Federal Socialist Forum (FSF)-Nepal and the Rastriya Janta Party-Nepal (RJP-N) in its cabinet. However, both FSF-N and RJP-N decided not to join the government until the left government could amend the constitution as per their demands. Nonetheless, it is yet to be seen whether they will take their stand or join the government for ministerial berths as in the past. It would be much better if they could remain outside the leftist government and coordinate with the opposition to make it stronger to raise voices if the leftist government embarks on political activities that undermine constitution considering its numerical strength in Parliament.

On the other hand, the people are eagerly waiting to see unification of the UML and CPN-MC in accordance with their announcement just before the provincial and federal elections. They had formed a Party Unification Coordination Committee (PUCC) representing senior leaders of both parties. One of the task force has drafted political document for unification which will be presented to the PUCC for its review (“Top panel to act upon merger document” April 1, Page 1). Several unification dates in the past were deferred citing different reasons. Senior leaders were publicly saying that the unification would be done before PM Oli’s upcoming official visit to India. It is hoped that left alliance will fulfil its promise of unification and drive the nation towards prosperity as per its election manifesto.

Rai Biren Bangdel

Maharajgunj

http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/printedition/news/2018-04-03/unification.html