Coalition government and CMP

The Himalayan Times

22 March 2024

Coalition government and CMP

It was and is not new for the nation and the people to see the political parties forming coalition government citing the necessity of the time and claiming to lead the nation towards peace and prosperity. It is also not unusual to see a common minimum programme (CMP) of such coalition governments claiming it to be the guiding policy to address the national agenda and hardships of the people. Similar sets of CMP of the ruling five-party alliance for the next four years is now in the market claiming it is its determination to embark on the journey towards the nation's prosperity “Current alliance formed to bring prosperity, PM Dahal says” (THT, March 19, Page 1). Does anybody have any idea how long this coalition government will even last?

I think, there are several laws to promote good governance but their implementation has often been slow and ineffective. Good governance generally refers to governing under efficient, effective, impactful and sustainable political and public institutions, which are crucial in achieving the targeted development goals. The basic values and principle of good governance are to make the public administration citizen-friendly, accountable, transparent, inclusive and participatory by placing the citizens at the centre of governance. It remains to be seen how the Dahal led five-party coalition government’s commitment will materialise in establishing good governance in the nation in the coming days “No compromise over good governance: PM Dahal” (THT, March 20, Page 1).

And it is not new for the people to see the blame game being played between and among the senior leaders of the major political parties. Looking at the on-going session, the NC seems determined to continue obstructing the House unless Rabi Lamichhane resigns from his Home Ministerial portfolio, raising the issue of cooperative fraud and his involvement in it. It has even demanded to form a parliamentary committee to investigate Lamichhane's involvement in cooperative irregularities.

Rai Biren Bangdel

Maharajgunj