Credibility of the deal

The Himalayan Times

14 March 2019

Credibility of the deal

It was indeed surprising to see the 11-point agreement signed between the Oli led government and C.K.Raut on March 9. He was in jail for the last five months for making secessionist remarks and had lost the battle for his release at the district and high courts. However, the Supreme Court had ordered his release on March 8 on a general date.  Looking at these speedy events, people started making different guesses about this abrupt signing ceremony.

 
 Various interpretations about the wordings of 11-point agreement have surfaced. Some of the leaders of the ruling party and the main opposition have criticized the government for abruptly and hastily signing the deal. Soon after the 11-point agreement was made public, the government is having a difficult time to defend the phraseology used in the agreement. 

Even the Home Minster had a hard time convincing the lawmakers in the house about some words, particularly “Jana Abhimat” (people’s opinion) used in the agreement. Likewise, PM Oli has also come forward to defend the deal, asking people not to interpret it negative light. He has opined that the secessionist force has been brought into mainstream politics through this agreement. However, time will tell if both the signing parties will show the commitment to abide by it.  

Rai Biren Bangdel

Maharajgunj