The Week That Was

Dear readers,

 

This week, the political landscape was dominated by a crucial agreement between the Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML. These two parties have pledged to ensure much-needed political stability and to amend the 2015 Constitution to address certain “flawed provisions.” We covered this agreement from multiple angles, including a long-form article titled “The Story Behind the Formation of a New Coalition,” which explains how and why the two parties came together. We appreciate our readers’ enthusiastic response to this story. Additionally, we published a commentary titled “Can the NC-UML Alliance Bring Stability?” which questions the longevity of the to be formed government, given the parties’ past difficulties in working together.

The full text of the agreement signed by NC leader Sher Bahadur Deuba and CPN-UML leader KP Sharma Oli has not yet been made public. With the UML pulling out its support, the Pushpa Kamal Dahal government has been relegated to the minority, but he is refusing to step down. Dahal may use constitutional provisions that allow him to face parliament within 30 days. 

Meanwhile, there are widespread concerns about the contents of the proposed constitutional amendments by NC and UML, particularly among Madhes-based parties and other groups advocating for identity politics. There are also questions about which external forces may be influencing these political developments. Speculations abound, but no definitive answers are available. Rumors suggest that Dahal’s refusal to resign might be influenced by external advice, allowing time for preparations to continue the current coalition with Deuba as prime minister. Attempts to find clues in Indian and Chinese media were inconclusive.

The agreement between Deuba and Oli has been endorsed by both parties, but it has caused some dissatisfaction as well. NC General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa was initially opposed but has since accepted the agreement. Similarly, there are reservations within UML, but both Deuba and Oli have a strong grip on their parties, making significant disruptions unlikely.

In another development, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), which emerged from the 2022 national election, is facing an internal crisis. Party Chairman Rabi Lamichhane and General Secretary Mukul Dhakal are at odds, with Lamichhane expelling Dhakal for allegedly violating party discipline. Dhakal’s symbolic protest at a party meeting, where he taped his mouth to give a message that there is no freedom of expression in the party, highlights the issue of intra-party democracy, a common issue in all political parties of Nepal.

Now onto some positives. Despite these political challenges, there has been progress in concluding the transitional justice process. The NC, UML, and the Maoist Center have formed a cross-party mechanism to address remaining contentious issues of the constitution. This team consisting of Ramedh Lekhak from NC, Mahesh Bartaula from UML, and Janardhan Sharma from the Maoist party has already started its work. The transitional justice process, initiated on the basis of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, 2006, remains incomplete, but there are plans to endorse an amendment bill in the ongoing Parliament. However, new political developments could delay this process further.

China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) continued to draw attention this week. Congress leaders reiterated their position against taking loans under the BRI, which does not offer grant provisions. Additionally, Parliament has formed panels to investigate alleged corruption in the construction of Pokhara and Bhairahawa International Airports. Meanwhile, the Nepal government has published a concept note on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and needs to accelerate efforts to regulate AI, a topic that still lacks widespread understanding in Nepal.

This week, the infamous fake Bhutanese refugee scandal once again made national headlines with the arrest of Bechain Jha and Pratik Thapa, the son of former home minister Ram Bahadur Thapa. This marks a significant step in the investigation involving former ministers, their relatives and senior government officials. Cooperative scandals also made headlines this week, with police arresting many cooperative owners based on public complaints. A probe panel has been set up to investigate these cases. Home Minister Lamichhane has assured to investigate all past high-profile corruption cases. But the latest political alliance between NC and UML means Lamichhane’s days as home minister are numbered.

This week, CPN (Unified Socialist) led by former prime minister Madhav Kumar Nepal held its generation convention. The convention unanimously elected Nepal as party chairman and Ghana Shyam Bhushal as general secretary. The same set of leaders have returned as party office-bearers. Bhushal’s attempt to displace Nepal has turned futile. The NC-UML agreement at the center has started to impact the provincial government. For instance, UML has withdrawn the support to the Sudurpaschim government. 

 

I will be back with more updates next week. Wishing you all a happy weekend!