Nepal and its people have seen the emergence of many political parties since the 2062/63 people’s movement with their fancy political manifestoes.

The old parties – UML and Nepali Congress – continued to take the centre stage in the political arena and had the opportunity to run the government with tall promises. The entry of the then Maoist party, following the 12-point understanding of November 2005 with the seven party alliance, was the turning point in the political history of Nepal. In the meantime, regional and other fringe parties also took opportunity of the unstable political environment and had the privilege of joining the government in collision with the major political parties. But the promulgation of the constitution in September 2015 and the three tiers of elections downsized the number of political parties in the Parliament. However, this situation compelled the regional and fringe parties to seek alternatives so as to be still in the political limelight, which resulted either in unification or merger of their parties with one another. A major unification that took place between the then UML and CPN-Maoist Centre, just before the three tiers of the elections, sidelined the others, including the NC, and it became a major force, securing almost a two thirds majority.

Now the Baburam Bhattarai-led Naya Shakti Party and Upendra Yadav-led Federal Socialist Forum have formed a new party, Samajbadi Party-Nepal (“Bhattarai, Yadav form new party” THT, May 7, Page 1). As per the unification agreement, the new party will institutionalise the federal democratic republic and steer the country towards progressive transformation, sustainable development and equitable prosperity through people’s struggle and constitutional amendment. Both the leaders opined that this new party would be an alternative force to both the NC and NCP, terming them as capitalists. It is nothing new for the people to see parties splitting, merging and unifying for their own sake. However, time will tell whether Baburam and Yadav merged their parties for their own sake or for the nation and its people.

Rai Biren Bangdel, Maharajgunj

E-vehicles

This is with reference to the news story “Lack of polices hits operation of electric vehicles”

(THT, May 7, Page 1). It is sad that the government has not been able to formulate a policy and law to manage electric public vehicles. Our country holds tremendous potential to generate electricity, and, therefore, regulating e-vehicles on our roads would be a prudential option for us. It will help to mitigate the air pollution and also cut down on the insane growing demand for petroleum products from foreign countries. This approach will certainly benefit us at large.

The Government of Nepal must roll up its sleeves and get on with what needs to be done to promote electric vehicles on our roads. We need to be inspired by foreign countries as to how they operate their transportation.

Shiva Neupane, Melbourne