The teachers’ protest has finally come to an end after a deal brokered by the newly appointed Minister for Education, Raghuji Pant. Former Education Minister Bidya Bhattarai had resigned earlier, citing health reasons, though many believe her departure was due to disagreements with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.
Under the nine-point agreement, some of the teachers’ demands have been met, while others will require legal amendments. The government has breathed a sigh of relief, as ruling leaders feared the movement could be politicized—particularly by the main opposition, CPN (Maoist Center)—and used against them.
Meanwhile, royalist leaders Kamal Thapa, Keshar Bahadur Bista, Rajendra Lingden, and Navaraj Subedi have united, setting aside personal differences. However, the pro-monarchy movement has already lost momentum following the violent protests on March 28. Despite their attempts to rally supporters, the royalist campaign is unlikely to regain traction anytime soon. Their focus has now shifted to securing the release of arrested leaders, including Rabindra Mishra. The government is under pressure to free Mishra and is expected to do so soon.
A parliamentary sub-committee led by Rajendra Lingden has submitted its report to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), revealing an alleged embezzlement of approximately Rs 10bn during the construction of Pokhara International Airport. However, further investigation is unlikely, given the involvement of top leaders. While the PAC may issue directives to the government and the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), the strong nexus between politicians and bureaucrats means the report will likely be ignored. Some politicians have already begun highlighting flaws in the report, likely to shield high-ranking figures from scrutiny.
Former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai visited India to attend a party event and used the opportunity to meet old friends, including former Indian ambassadors to Nepal and Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. His media remarks suggest he sought to dissuade India from supporting any pro-monarchy movement in Nepal. “There was no open discussion about the current coalition, but my sense is that India holds an inconsistent stance—neither comfortable with the current government nor seeing a viable alternative,” Bhattarai told the media. During his India trip, he primarily engaged with former Indian ambassadors who favor Nepal’s existing political system.
Nepali Congress (NC) General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa has continued his criticism of the government, accusing ministers of inefficiency. Meanwhile, there has been some progress in shortlisting the candidates for the two transitional justice bodies—the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and the Commission on the Investigation of Enforced Disappeared Persons. However, the top three leaders—KP Sharma Oli, Sher Bahadur Deuba, and Pushpa Kamal Dahal—have yet to finalize appointments. A closer look at the shortlist suggests the commissions may lack subject-matter experts, raising doubts about their effectiveness.
On the possibility of government changes, NC President Deuba reaffirmed that the current coalition remains stable. Speaking to reporters upon his return from Thailand, Deuba said that the alliance would last until the next elections. Encouraged by his remarks, Prime Minister Oli called Deuba’s statement a serious blow to those attempting to topple the government. He also told the party lawmakers that the two parties—UML and NC—will handle the government duties amicably. However, growing frustrations within the ruling coalition and Maoist Chairman Dahal’s public statements have fueled speculation about an impending crisis. Remarks by senior NC leaders, including Shekhar Koirala, Thapa, and Bishwa Prakash Sharma, have further muddled the government’s future. A recent report highlighted how the NC’s contradictory positions are contributing to perceptions of political instability.
Ruling parties have yet to agree on the appointment of the Nepal Rastra Bank governor, drawing widespread criticism. The delay sends a troubling signal that such unresolved issues could eventually lead to a government collapse. President Ramchandra Paudel is set to present the government’s policy and program on Friday (May 2), which will be followed by the unveiling of the annual budget. It remains to be seen whether the NC and UML can cooperate on budgetary matters, as past experience suggests such discussions often sow discord within coalitions.
Both the NC and UML have launched campaigns to expand their membership bases. NC leaders report a lack of enthusiasm among local cadres to renew active memberships—a worrying sign. Meanwhile, the UML aims to increase its membership to 750,000 within a year. However, both parties face challenges in attracting new members.
Preparations are underway for the Sagarmatha Sambad, scheduled for May 16–18. The government has branded this as a global dialogue to highlight the impact of climate change on Nepal’s Himalayan region. The Sambad Secretariat has invited over 300 guests, including several heads of government.
