Political fantasy

The Himalayan Times

11 March 2021

Political fantasy

The Supreme Court’s (SC) recent decision nullifying the unification between the CPN-UML and the CPN-MC was a legal blow to both the Nepal Communist Party (NCP) factions “SC deals legal blow to teetering ruling party” (THT, March 8, Page 1). Their frustration was seen in the recent session of House of Representative (HoR) which had met after it was reinstated by the Supreme Court (SC) 15 days ago. Dahal-Madhav Nepal faction walked out of the house showing concerns over the legitimacy of the government and dissatisfaction of Speaker’s role in the House “Ruckus in House over ordinance” (THT, March 8, Page 1).

Surprisingly, the SC’s decision to award the Nepal Communist Party to Rishiram Kattel, who had lodged a complaint two years ago at the SC, came at a time when the two factions of NCP were separately claiming ownership of the NCP and its symbol at the Election Commission (EC) soon after PM Oli had dissolved the HoR and called the mid-term election. Following the SC’s decision, the almost two-third majority government in the HoR has now become a coalition government. What a political fantasy in the political history of the country.

It is yet to be seen now how the NCP’s factions will chart their political courses in the days to come. In fact, they were on the verge of a split since the last nine months, blaming and publicly accusing each other for no specific reasons. Now, the political parties and their leaders are starting to play a give and take game to form the next coalition government. But, don’t be surprised if the UML and the Maoist Centre come together to form the next government. Also, it would not be surprising to see a coalition government of Maoist (Centre), Nepali Congress and Janata Samajbadi Party. Time will tell. 

Rai Biren Bangdel

Maharajgunj