Nepal just completed historic parliamentary and provincial elections, first under the new constitution adopted two years ago.

Two communist forces—CPN-UML and CPN-Maoist Centre—which have formed an alliance are set to form a government which could govern for a full five-year term. I sincerely hope that the new government would in close cooperation with the opposition in effecting greater changes to strengthen democracy, usher in lasting peace and bring prosperity.

I hope UML Chairman KP Oli and CPN-MC Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal would rise above their partisan interests and shed their egos to put Nepal on the path of prosperity. Nepal will also need to be careful while dealing with her giant neighbours.

Any sign of immature diplomacy and foreign policy of Nepal showing higher allegiance to one over another could cost Nepal dearly. Nepal will continuously need the support of its two neighbours on the north and the south which are giant economies, as it strives for overall development.

The country now needs to build comprehensive and independent foreign and economic policies that benefit the nation and her citizens.

I hope both Oli and Dahal will show maturity and guide the nation successfully towards prosperity with the goodwill from both the neighbouring countries and the international community as well.

Saikat Kumar Basu, Canada

Dialogue must

People overwhelmingly participated in the recent elections with the hope that the country now would take a definite political course. But political parties have once again gone back to their ever-squabbling mode. The latest tussle between the Nepali Congress and the left alliance of the CPN-UML and CPN-Maoist Centre is over the formation of a new government. The left alliance, which has registered a landslide victory in the elections, is eager to take the government reins at the earliest possible, while incumbent Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba does not seem to be in any hurry to step down. This tussle is emanating from the dispute over the election of the National Assembly. An ordinance on the election of the National Assembly is pending at the Office of the President. The bickering has once again created a political stalemate in the country. The NC and the left alliance are at odds over which system to be adopted while electing the National Assembly, which along with the House of Representatives will complete the Federal Parliament. Democracy is all about people and their verdict. It is incumbent on political parties to honour people’s verdict and act accordingly. So the sooner the political party leaders come to the negotiating table and sort out the issues, the better it is. Dialogue is the only way out.

Rupak R Khanal, Bhaktapur