Submit your Article

Since 2017, the CPN (Maoist Center) has been securing its political standing through alliances with either the Nepali Congress (NC) or the CPN-UML. In the 2017 elections, an alliance with the UML helped the party win 53 seats in the 275-member House of Representatives (HoR). By 2022, an electoral partnership with the NC resulted in 32 seats.

With neither the NC nor UML securing a clear majority, the Maoist Center, as the third largest party, enjoyed the role of a kingmaker. It used this privileged position to its advantage and, after 2017, its Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal managed to become prime minister twice.

However, the unexpected alliance between NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba and UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli on July 1 midnight has relegated Dahal and his party to the opposition. Reports suggest that Deuba and Oli have agreed not to form an electoral alliance with the Maoists in the 2027 elections.

Senior CPN-UML leader Ishwar Pokhrel's revelation of this agreement has further agitated the Maoist party, with leaders accusing the two largest parties of conspiring against them. 

This week, the Maoist Center announced its intention to contest the 2027 election without any electoral alliance, despite the election being three years away. Maoist leaders view this as an opportunity to prepare for a solo campaign, allowing them to present their clear ideology and perspective to the public. Party Spokesperson Agni Sapkota noted that previous alliances hindered the party’s ability to communicate its ideology and programs effectively.

However, political observers doubt the Maoists will stick to this decision, suggesting it may be an attempt to boost cadre morale. Without an alliance, the Maoists are likely to become weaker. Meanwhile, Dahal is already preparing to form an alliance of communist parties for the 2027 elections. Recently, he reconstituted the Socialist Front, a loose network of fringe communist parties, including the CPN (Unified Socialist) led by former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal. Dahal is trying to revive the idea of left consolidation, expressing concern over UML leaders’ desire to see a leftist alliance like in 2018.

Dahal is acutely aware of the party’s weakening position due to multiple splits since joining peaceful politics and his focus on government formation. Since 2008, the party has suffered at least five splits, significantly weakening its position, particularly in urban areas. The party still holds sway in certain constituencies of the mid-western district, the heartland of the Maoist insurgency, and some pockets of the hilly region. However, its urban base is crumbling.

For instance, in Kathmandu-2, senior Maoist leader Onsari Gharti lost despite an alliance with the NC, and Dahal himself is known for frequently changing his constituencies to find more favorable support. In 2022, he contested from Gorkha-2 with support from Baburam Bhattarai, who has a stronghold in that constituency. It remains uncertain where Dahal will contest the next parliamentary elections. Contesting alone would be a daunting task for the Maoists, and Dahal will likely seek support from Maoist splinter groups, though this may not be enough to secure victory.

In an effort to strengthen the party, Dahal has announced a nationwide tour to reconnect with the people and understand their problems. Even senior Maoist leaders acknowledge the party’s significantly degraded position.

Senior Maoist leader Haribol Gajurel resigned this week, admitting responsibility for the party’s decline and calling for other senior officials to do the same to initiate a fresh start. He emphasized the need for a serious review of the party's weakening position to avoid further setbacks. Gajurel, formerly Dahal's chief political advisor, had previously resigned in protest of several government decisions. 

Similar to the NC and UML, the Maoist party is plagued by factional politics and leadership tussles, with ongoing disputes about Dahal's successor. But unlike NC and UML, the Maoist party is unlikely to survive the next elections without forging strategic alliances.

One of the most serious and infectious diseases that is waterborne, cholera has resurfaced in Nepal this monsoon also, infecting 16 individuals in three districts thus far, according to health authorities.

Lalitpur, so far, has the highest number of cases (8), followed by Kailali (5) and Kathmandu (3), according to the Ministry of Health and Population. At first, a person based in Godavari, Lalitpur, was referred to the Teku Hospital in Kathmandu on the basis of symptoms and the case was confirmed 72 hours later.

According to Spokesperson for the ministry, Dr Prakash Budhathoki, contaminated water and filthy surroundings are the primary causes of cholera. “Contaminated water causes several diseases. Drinking boiled water can keep such diseases at bay,” he said, stressing the need to raise awareness about the importance of drinking boiled water. He said treatment is available at Teku Hospital and other hospitals.

In 2022, the Kathmandu valley witnessed 77 confirmed cases of cholera. In the wake of a cholera outbreak in ward numbers 11, 12 and 13 of Kathmandu Metropolitan City in 2023, concerned ward offices administered oral cholera vaccine in coordination with public health authorities. 

This waterborne disease, caused by Vibrio cholera and coliform bacteria, affects all age groups, though older people and newborns with lower immune systems are particularly susceptible. 

An inadequate sanitation system and poor hygiene are mainly behind cholera in Nepal. Rainwater and leftover water may also contain cholera-causing bacteria. 

Dr Sher Bahadur Pun, chief of the Clinical Research Unit at Sukraraj Hospital, highlights the importance of maintaining the quality of water for curbing waterborne diseases. Ensuring water quality is a basic duty of concerned authorities, he says: Such essential services should not be halted under any pretext.

“Only 80 percent of the patients show clear and common symptoms of cholera whereas 20 percent show rapid symptoms. Cholera can prove fatal if the patient is not rushed to the nearest hospital on time,” according to Budhathoki. 

So, taking a cue from symptoms, there is an urgent need to rush the affected people to nearest health facilities. Administering oral rehydration salt powder like Jeevan Jal from time to time is crucial for saving the patients’ lives. 

Hospitals in Nepal are well-equipped to deal with the cases of cholera and the health ministry is prepared to supply essential facilities and materials to deal with the disease, according to officials.

Generation Alpha might ask, “What is janti bakhro?” Generation Z will probably say, “I’ve heard about it but never tasted it.” For Generation X (1965–1980), the term itself brings nostalgia. Janti bakhro is a vanishing tradition, a culinary culture that faded during Nepal’s ten-year-long Maoist war.

 Imagine hot rice on a leaf plate and cooked goat meat—so hot that it burns your fingers and tongue. The memory of eating this delicious dish while the sauce leaked from the leaf plate remains vivid for many. Today, the custom of eating janti bakhro has largely disappeared. Instead, from villages to cities, wedding parties are now grand affairs with elaborate feasts.

 In the past, meat was a rare treat in most homes, typically cooked only during Dashain. However, when there was a wedding in a farmer’s household, a male goat would be slaughtered, and people from three to four villages would be invited. The goat meat would be used to prepare large pots of meat soup. This soup, along with rice, was served in leaf plates. As the rice soaked up the soup, the leaf plates would often leak, adding to the fun of eating. Each guest would receive a small piece of meat, a rare delicacy for many.

 When I was eight years old, my father was away, so I often attended weddings, rituals, and celebrations on his behalf as the eldest son. I still remember a particular wedding in Gorkha during my school holidays. It was a night wedding and a bus was arranged for the occasion. After the wedding ceremony, our bus made a stop, and all the janti (wedding guests) came together to prepare a simple meal of rice and goat curry.

 There were more than 150 hungry people but we somehow managed to cook everything within an hour. To ensure there was enough for everyone, we added a lot of soup to the goat curry. Instead of the usual spices, we used mustard cake (pina) to thicken the curry, which intrigued me as I was already interested in cooking.

 The experience of eating janti bakhro was unforgettable. The rice was cooked in a traditional Nepali pot called a ‘taulo’ or ‘khadkulo’ used for special occasions. We were served steaming hot rice and runny goat curry on leaf plates. The curry was spicy and aromatic with mustard, and the rice was overcooked. The challenge was to eat quickly before the sauce leaked from the leaf plates. Despite the haste, the flavors were incredible, and the meal was deeply satisfying, especially knowing it would be my last for the next 18 hours.

 This experience, which happened 36 years ago, is etched in my memory. The sights, aromas, and tastes are as clear as if it happened yesterday. This janti bakhro culture inspired me profoundly. I believe this dish should be featured on every restaurant menu in Nepal. It’s simple, easy to cook, and incredibly tasty. It represents a piece of our heritage that should not be forgotten. Let’s bring this traditional dish into the mainstream and celebrate its unique flavors and the communal spirit of cooking and eating together.

 Ingredients

780 gm goat meat (mixed and with bone)

120 ml mustard oil

5 gm fenugreek seeds

80 gm onion, finely sliced

20 gm garlic-ginger paste

120 gm tomato

5 gm turmeric powder

7.5 gm cumin powder

7.5 gm red chili powder

5 gm nutmeg powder

1.5 liters water

Mustard paste (to thicken)

100 gm mustard cake (also called Pina)

Salt to taste

10 ml lemon juice

Coriander leaves (roughly cut, for garnish)

 Instructions

Heat mustard oil in a pan and add fenugreek seeds. Let them sputter until they turn dark. Add finely sliced onions and goat meat, and sauté until dry. Add salt and garlic-ginger paste. When the mixture turns golden brown, add all the powdered spices and tomatoes. Cook until the tomatoes melt and form a thick sauce. Add water and cook until the meat is tender. Thicken the curry with mustard cake. Just before serving, squeeze lemon juice and garnish with coriander leaves.

 The author is UK-based research and development chef

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said the CPN-UML-Nepali Congress coalition government will carry out its duties as per the spirit of the seven-point agreement between the two parties.  

Addressing the government ministers and secretaries at Singha Durbar on Tuesday, he assured that he shall tender his resignation and hand over power to Nepali Congress leader Sher Bahadur Deuba a week before his two-year term ends.

“You don’t need to worry about this coalition collapsing all of a sudden. This government will not collapse, nor will it even wobble. It was formed with a sense of duty. It was created by major parties with wisdom and careful consideration. There will be no instability.”

The prime minister also advised ministers not to criticize others during the first 100 days of the government's term, but instead carry out their duties responsibly. 

“Focus on your work. Every ministry should work toward producing attractive reports within 100 days to show what has been accomplished.” 

Reassuring secretaries to make decisions without fear, Prime Minister Oli noted that the current government does not even have the luxury of a ‘honeymoon period.’ 

Prime Minister Oli also issued a 26-point directive to government ministers and secretaries on fundamental tasks that need to be accomplished.

Box

Prime Minister’s directives

1. Senior citizens unable to stand in line for services like driving license, passport, citizenship, and national ID is a sad state of affairs. This issue was observed in a Lalitpur office. Such incidents frustrate the public and must end. Employees are here to serve, not to govern. We must serve the people with kindness. Services can be made practical and effective through the Citizen App. The relevant ministries and agencies should provide these services easily. 

2. This government has come with the responsibility of stability, so work with confidence.

3. It is not appropriate for employees in state ministries and agencies to receive meeting allowances when over 20 percent of the population lives below the poverty line. We must commit to serving the country and the people. 

4. Instead of starting new projects, we must focus on completing the ones already underway. The main focus should be on completing tasks.

5. We should aim to save billions spent on fuel imports by focusing on the development and use of hydropower.

6. Israel and Malaysia are turning seawater into drinking water. We should also think about branding Sagarmatha’s (Mount Everest’s) water.

7. There should be no delays in anything. Citizens who travel long distances and spend money to come to government offices should have their work done without hassle. 

8. Do not create unnecessary committees and structures. Work in a way that shows results.

9. We must work with dedication for the country and the people, and shake off the habit of shift responsibilities on others.

10. Adopt a system of completing tasks on time through performance and delegation of authority. Work according to the law, taking responsibility instead of relying solely on orders.

11. We are responsible for achieving sustainable development goals. Ending poverty should be our main target.

12. There are complications in proving the legitimacy of one’s own property. Situations like having to show the source even when selling one’s own property need to be addressed. These uncertainties and technical hurdles must be addressed.

13. There have been claims of budget shortages for work. What is the reality? Regular budgets are being spent, but development expenditures are low. Development delivers to the people. Therefore, there must be sufficient capital expenditure. We need to move toward a system where work starts as soon as a request is made and decisions are given quickly. 

14. The situation where insurance payouts, VAT refunds, and payments for farmers' milk and sugarcane are not made is not good. They take loans to invest, and delaying payments puts them in trouble. This hinders agricultural modernization.

15. Contractors not receiving payment for completed work should not happen. Completed work payments should not be stopped due to unresolved accounts or other reasons.

16. We must adhere to financial discipline. Work should be done transparently. Grants should be distributed systematically. Entrepreneurs should be encouraged, but misuse of grants for personal agricultural subsidies should be monitored.

17. Do not be enthusiastic about increasing tax rates. The monetary policy has brought good momentum in the market, which should be maintained. The market should be kept dynamic.

18. Dharahara is built but not operational due to parking issues. It should be operational even if a parking fee is charged. Nepali people contributed millions to the “I will build my Dharahara” campaign. The public has participated in its reconstruction but has not yet been able to visit Dharahara. I instruct that it be made operational as soon as possible.

19. Up to 100 days of the government's term, ministers should not criticize others. Focus on your work. Each ministry should work toward delivering attractive reports within 100 days.

20. Projects prioritized should not take years to complete.

21. We will hold the Sagarmatha Dialogue, so make preparations accordingly.

22. Why wasn’t the National Talent Award, started with the money from an international award I received with additional budget allocations, regularized? It should be regular. We must encourage talent.

23. There have been incidents of air and vehicle accidents. We need to plant deep-rooted trees along highways and design new constructions to be safe. We plan to operate trains and ships as well. There is public demand for trains. This will be our priority.

24. The People’s Housing and Integrated Development Program should be linked to business. Relocating squatters in Kathmandu to isolated areas without market access was not effective. Learning from such projects, we must work practically and appropriately.

25. Decide within three months whether to use pesticides in vegetables or not.

26. We need to collaborate with the private sector. Listen to grievances from the business sector