Marriage of convenience
The Himalayan Times
9 May 2019
Marriage
of convenience
Nepal and its people have seen
emergence of many political parties since the 2062/63 peoples movement with
their fancy political manifestoes. The old parties- UML and Nepali Congress - continued
to take the centre stage at 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 mean time, 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 constitution
in September 2015 and three tiers of the 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 Sakti 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 institutionalize 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 will 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 sakes. 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
