The UML is fast losing its moral relevance on the basis of its own admission of not being able to meet the commitment made by the controversial coalition
The coalition of two diagonally opposite parties standing ideologically on different pages, the Nepali Congress (NC) and the Unified Marxist-Leninist (UML), came as a great surprise after they decided to tie the political wedlock at midnight. It is because seldom do two largest political parties politically very far off form a coalition government in a parliamentary democracy. The people were told that they had formed a coalition to create the ground for the much-needed political stability and the amendment of the constitution by burying their political differences for the overall need of the nation virtually heading towards an economic disaster.
The rational sounded convincing in view of the fact that the country was swept by a wave of instability marked by frequent changes of government. The economy had entered such a gloomy phase that the government had not been able to generate enough revenue to even cater to the regular expenditure. The development budget of a developing country theoretically should be more than the regular expenditure. Unfortunately, in the case of Nepal, it is less by almost four times. Such a low development budget also has not been spent by the government fully. It is in this context that the coalition of two large parties was not opposed by the people expecting improvement in the national scene.
The most prominent was the pledge made towards the amendment of the constitution. It may be recalled that the constitution was promulgated rather hastily. Many members of the Constituent Assembly had complained that they were not consulted adequately. The top leaders were alleged to have decided on their behalf. Moreover, the Madhes-based parties had boycotted the promulgation of the constitution. Later, they went for a border blockade soon after the killer earthquake that had left several thousand people dead and injured.
Six months have already elapsed after the formation of the coalition government, but there are no signs of improvement on the national horizon. Prime Minister K P Oli created jitters in the political arena when he said that the constitution would be amended around 2030 as against the general expectation of the people that it would be initiated right after the formation of the coalition government. The coalition partner, the NC, was astonished to hear this unexpected statement of the Prime Minister made without any prior consultation with it. The opposition parties have already seen chinks in the armour of the NC-UML coalition.
Prime Minister Oli has admitted more than once that the government's performance is far from desired. He has hinted at a series of failures such as the inability to provide rescue and relief to the disaster victims, the delay in beginning the reconstruction works and the failure to boost the slumping economy. More worrying has been the relationship with India which has not shown any signs of improvement. The recent visit of the Prime Minister to China against the long-standing tradition of visiting India first after assuming office has also called friction. It occurred because of no invitation obtained from the southern neighbour despite the meeting of Prime Minister Oli with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting as well as the visit of Foreign Minister Dr. Arzoo Deuba to India. The signing of the so-called BRI framework has further cast a shadow on improving Indo-Nepal relations. All these put together have raised the question mark to the relevance of the Oli Government and the NC-UML coalition.
The agreement of the NC-UML coalition is the continuation of the UML leadership for one-and-a-half years more which will be followed by the leadership of the NC that will eventually hold the election in 2028. But the consistent admission of the Prime Minister of one failure after another leaves little room for his continuation.
The government has tried to justify its dismal performance by citing the unprecedented flood and landslide that dotted the country from east to west. But people will not buy this argument because the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology had already predicted about the high intensity rainfall. The government should have made enough preparation instead of sitting idle and being a mute spectator.
The NC-UML coalition cannot afford to fail because that would raise questions about the republican polity of the country. Its likelihood has already brought cheers in the Rastriya Prajatantra Party camp which has been advocating the revival of the 1990 constitution that will bring the monarchy back.
The solitary alternative now is to make room for the leadership of the NC as it is clear that the continuation of the UML leadership will take the country further to the brink of political disaster. Even though there is no guarantee that the NC leadership will meet the expectation of the people, the nation will at least be relieved by the departure of a non-performing leader.
If the NC leadership also emulates its unworthy coalition partner, the UML, then an all-party government should be formed until the new election. Such a government should first formulate a national plan of action which should then be implemented. This will also set a precedent for the implementation of the national agenda irrespective of whichever party comes to power in future.
It is thus glaringly clear from the foregoing that the UML is fast losing the moral relevance on the basis of its own admission of not being able to meet the commitment made by it and the NC after the formation of the controversial coalition. The Prime Minister should make some dramatic improvement in its performance instead of merely clinging to its office. The recent resignation of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for failing to manage national affairs should be an eye opener for Oli.
