2024-07-03 06:40:01
Kathmandu: A political crisis has once again arisen in Nepal. This crisis has been created by former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. Oli is known as ‘Paltu Ram’ in Nepal politics. His image is such that no one can trust Oli in Nepal politics. In fact, earlier this year, Oli had announced unconditional support to the government of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’. This led to the Nepali Congress, which was then part of the ruling coalition, walking out. However, since then it was believed that this government of Prachanda is not going to last long. In fact, according to the latest information, the leader of the main opposition party, Sher Bahadur Deuba, has visited Oli’s house and met him. After this, it is being speculated that Oli and Deuba can form a new government together. This has increased the threat to the Prachanda government.
Oli had already given indications of turning back
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal had moved a vote of confidence in the House of Representatives on March 20 after the change of coalition partners on March 4, reports Kathmandu Post. Dahal had resorted to the floor test to bring the CPN-UML into the government after breaking ties with main coalition partner Nepali Congress. Addressing the House on the same day, UML chief KP Sharma Oli had said, “Despite our constant efforts to keep the channel of dialogue open with the Nepali Congress leaders, they refused to talk to us.” Oli said, “Since we have now joined the government, we are always ready to talk to you, because we are not like you.”
Deuba-Oli will form a new alliance
When Oli was saying this from the dais of the House of Representatives, Congress president Sher Bahadur Deuba, sitting on the first seat of the opposition bench, nodded in agreement. Barely 100 days later, the political meetings on Saturday brought back the scene of the Nepali Parliament, leading to speculation about new political alliances. Dahal himself admits that since the change in alliance, he has not been able to do anything significant except changing ministers. The Deuba-Oli meeting is taking place amid Oli’s public statements that he is not happy with the government, which shows that something is cooking.”
Deuba had also visited Oli’s house in 2022
A Congress leader close to Deuba speculated that it was probably in 2022 when Deuba last visited Oli’s residence with his wife to persuade him to help the government get the US Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) deal passed by Parliament. At that time, Deuba was the prime minister and Oli was the main opposition leader in the House.
Oli skips major function to host Deuba
The fresh meeting of the heads of the country’s two biggest parties fuelled speculation about a possible power-sharing deal. Many saw it as politically significant as Oli did not attend a function organised by the Pushpalal Memorial Foundation, citing ill health, hosting the Deuba couple at his home. Congress publicity department chief Min Bahadur Biswakarma said the two former prime ministers held serious discussions on issues such as national politics, the decades-old incomplete transitional justice process and possible cooperation to resolve other national issues.
Nepali Congress refused to form an alliance
“The meeting was positive but it does not mean that the two parties have agreed to form a new government under their leadership,” Biswakarma told the Post. “But if positive discussions continue, such a possibility cannot be ruled out.” But UML publicity department chief Rajendra Gautam ruled out the possibility of any change in the existing coalition. “The Dahal-led government remains stable and the UML will continue to support it,” he said. “The purpose of the meeting between UML chairman Oli and Congress chief Deuba was not to remove Prime Minister Dahal from power.”
Oli’s party is also not ready to say anything
The meeting between Deuba and Oli comes weeks after UML chief Oli publicly criticised the annual budget presented by the government, calling it a ‘Maoist budget’. However, the UML chief later changed his tune. The House of Representatives has already passed the Appropriation Bill. “UML chairman Oli’s criticism of the budget does not mean that he is trying to change the coalition,” Gautam claimed. “Our party chairman criticised because our MPs have many complaints about the budget.”