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Oli’s premiership challenged

The Himalayan Times
17 July 2024

Oli’s premiership challenged

Amid political uncertainty, the two senior leaders of the NC and the UML signed a seven-point deal to form a new coalition government to replace Dahal as the Prime Minister. The deal not made public until now indicated that the remaining term in the Parliament will be shared between them on a rotational basis. Oli will lead the government for the first 18 months and the remaining 18 months will be led by Deuba “KP Sharm Oli sworn in as new PM” (THT, July 16, Page 1). It is after a decade that the NC and the UML have decided to form a coalition government, citing the need for ensuring political stability, amending the 2015 Constitution and boosting the country’s fragile economy. However, it remains to be seen whether this coalition will complete the remaining three years “Petitioners challenges Oli’s appointment as PM in Supreme Court” (THT, July 16, Page 1).

The nation has witnessed 13 governments in the last 16 year and is gradually losing its credibility and trustworthiness in the international community owing to the unstable politics and frequent changes of government. Some political analysts opine that this new coalition between the two big parties led by time and again tested and tainted leaders is nothing but a power-centric political exercise to dodge the big corruption scams that blatantly surfaced in the recent months involving top leaders of both the NC and the UML. The making and breaking of political coalitions under a proportional electoral system are common political practices, which has invited political chaos, fragmentation, and unstable governance in the nation.

The political musical chairs being played among Oli, Deuba and Dahal for enjoying the political helm has politically, economically and socially hammered the nation and the society. The Oli led coalition government has been criticised for its failure to include Dalit and women representation in its cabinet “Non-inclusion of Dalit and under representation of women slammed” (THT, July 17, Page 1).

Rai Biren Bangdel
Maharajgunj
 

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