'Zero Unity' - Nepal's Divided Politics

By Kanchan Jha

In the midst of the unfolding political theatre in Kathmandu, the CPN-UML's veteran leader Madhav Kumar Nepal might have overcome the internecine struggles within his own party to become the second Prime Minister of the Republic Nepal, but he still has to grapple with stiffer political and administrative challenges - both from coalition partners as well as the opposition Maoists.

Barely a week in office, the Premier is already facing the first glimpse of challenge not from the opposition but from his alliance partners, the Nepali Congress and the MJF.

According to media reports, differences have cropped up among 'Supremes' of major coalition partners for key portfolios and party leadership in the new government. The soft-spoken communist leader, Nepal, is surely on the frontage of a severe blow as he is finding it difficult to form his council of ministers. Indeed, one is not sure how the emerging power-sharing architecture will look like in Singha Durbar.

On one hand is the Congress that remains undecided on which portfolios they should seek and hence stands divided on who should lead the party in the cabinet. An intense and concentrated debate ongoing within the NC. Questions about who should represent the government are being raised - A younger generation leader or a senior party member? Meanwhile, it has also been learned that the grand old man of Nepali politics, Girija Prasad Koirala, had urged the PM to appoint his only daughter Sujata Koirala as deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Foreign Affairs as well.

Political commentators say that it is the 'immoral love' of a hopeless father that has made Congress insiders sit up and raise their eyebrows. And the fact that it is the Congress that's now one of the factors among others hindering the government-formation process is yet another indication that Girija's politics never move in a straight line. The high-level political mechanism the octogenarian leader talked about in the parliament at the time of election of the Prime Minister is best left unspoken.

On the other hand is the MJF, which played a significant role in garnering a majority in support of the UML-led coalition and is now demanding an equal share in the cabinet and is claiming key portfolios. MJF, which is the 'nucleus' of the United Madhesi Democratic Front, has also put forth four pre-conditions for the Common Minimum Program. The implementation of the eight-point understanding signed with the Madhesi Front in February, 2008 forms the top of the list. Likewise, the inclusive bill, multi-dimensional developmental prerequisites in Terai-Madhes and the review of all commissions formed by the then Unified CPN (Maoist) government are other pre-conditions floated by the Madhesi bosses.

As one would have thought, the MJF is also in complete disarray as it too remains split on the issue of who should lead the party in the government. Earlier, two factions of MJF led by party chairman Upendra Yadav and its parliamentary party leader Bijaya Gachchedar had lobbied for Maoist-led government and UML-led government, respectively. The Yadav-Gachchedar row has been going on for a while now and Yadav is in a difficult position, no doubt. In an extraordinary twist of circumstances, the party supremo has been challenged by Gachchedar, who is also vying for the party leadership in the government and is claiming to have support from two thirds of the party's Lawmakers.

Known as a party theoretician and organizational guru, Yadav is losing his grip in the party, according to insiders. There is not even the slightest pretence of unity in the party. The flamboyant Gachchedar, who currently shares a good equation with top UML and NC leaders as well as the Indian Ambassador to Nepal, is being perceived by many in the party as the man at the controls. This appears to be the perfect foil to Yadav; party chairman and being the victim of Indian machinations, it seems his place has fallen from his exalted position. On the face of it, commentators say that Yadav's future role is 'undefined'.

Given such conditions, where does all this leave the UML-led alliance when it comes to give a final shape to the cabinet and what can the beleaguered people of the country expect from its new PM? The new leadership, though, has a tough act to live up to, given the weight of the current political matter and its own track record. Sadly, the state is definitely going through a most depressing transition. Conversely, a confluence of power-hungry netas and misfortune on all blocs is not helping to create a political space for the UML-led coalition and could indeed cast a shadow on what seems from outside like an ideal partnership.

The speculation doing the rounds is that a deep political confrontation is likely on the way as the Maoists too are gearing up to obstruct parliamentary procedures if its resolution against the president's move is revoked. As of late, the former guerillas have accused Madhav Nepal of marching along the path of regression. Yet, the PM finds himself enmeshed between the demands of its coalition partners and building consensus at the national level.

Rhetorically, all political players recognize the need to form a stable and healthy government and expedite the constitution writing process but in reality though, there's a severe lack of political and moral will to push such agendas. Preachers are busy delivering sermons for others that they themselves seldom practice in their own lives. They take advantage of the loopholes, cheat their brethren and flatter their bosses who, in turn, manipulate the system as per their whims and fancies.

Ostensibly, it's foolhardy to expect anything better from the land, where national development and progressive democracy are antithetical to the very essence of its leaders. And in the heart of this political transition we often wonder whether the democracy of the land is so inept that it has enabled shrewd and shameless politicians and leaders to thrive and rule the country once again.

In this sense, a healthy political leadership along with a unity government is unheard of in this part of the world. As a result, there is no fear, shame or self-esteem in the minds of those who indulge in petty political bargaining. On the other hand, honest people, who constitute a minuscule section of the society, remain isolated silent spectators and are forced to compromise to survive in this unequal land. Without a strong and a very large army to that of self-sacrificing leaders and their determined workers, real progress of the masses holds to be impossible.

Progress towards a modern democratic Nepal will be in exact proportion to the increase in the number of leaders who will dare to sacrifice their all for the Cause of the common People.