Tug-o’-war
The Himalayan Times
Once the Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal decided to resign soon after he realized that there would be no solid proposal with regard to peace process coming from the Maoists, the people might have already guessed that there would be another political tug of war between the NC and Maoists for leading the next government. In fact, UML remained, most of the post CA election time, to be opportunistic doing very little for the peace process and drafting of new statute. It seems now that it has lost its stake over the PM’s chair. It is yet to see how it will play its political card between NC and Maoist’s claim over the PM’s chair. It is hoped that this time UML sensibly uses its productive role.
It was obvious that NC, sooner or later, would propose Sher Bahadur Deuba and Maoist’s candidate would be Dr. Babauram Bhattarai as reported in “NC to field Deuba as consensus prime minister” and “Maoists reinforce Bhattarai’s candidacy” (THT, August 17, Page 1). Why didn’t they first sit together and forge consensus on one candidate to be the next PM rather than fielding separate candidates? It has become difficult to understand the political game of consensual government. The real litmus test for the Big Three is ahead considering the shaky political situation in their hands. August 31 is not too far away. Time has come for them to act sensibly.
It was encouraging to hear that United Madhes Front parties would not field any common candidate for the next PM if NC and UCPN come to consensus for a national government. So, it is entirely in between NC and UCPN to work out for a single candidate. How they will do it is yet to be seen. If they fail to do so and continue to dodge each other and start doing arithmetic calculation to form a majority government, it will then be very unfortunate for them and Nepal Nepal
Rai Biren Bangdel
Maharjgunj, Kathmandu
