India Can Help Find a Consensus Head of Government in Nepal
The Nepalese Constituent Assembly has ultimately failed to elect a candidate to form a government in the Himalayan nation despite making 16 attempts since June last year. The 17th attempt could not be made as the only remaining claimant to the Prime Minister's post, Mr Ram Chandra Poudel of the Nepali Congress, withdrew from the contest at the eleventh hour, foreseeing a certain defeat. Now the ball is in the court of the Speaker of the House to look for a consensus candidate before the situation takes a turn for the worse, threatening the peace process that began in 2006. It is not an easy task since the Maoists, who have nearly 40 per cent of the 601 seats in the House, are unlikely to agree to any suggestion unless their main demand for proper rehabilitation of the members of its armed wing, the People's Liberation Army (PLA), is accepted.
Most political players in Nepal are looking towards India to use its influence over the non-Maoist parties, particularly the Nepalese Congress and the Madhesi groups, to help find a leader to run the government. Both sides -- the Maoists and those who have been reluctant to share power with them -- need to be persuaded to forget their differences in the interest of peace and progress in their country. The new constitution for a republican Nepal must be ready by May, as stipulated by the Constituent Assembly. There is very little time left. Under the circumstances, a broad national unity government appears to be the best alternative with all the major parties being on board.
A definite move towards such a government will allay the fears being expressed owing to the departure of the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) -- its term ended today. The UNMIN arrangement was basically aimed at settling the issues related to the PLA. However, the caretaker government did not press for extending UNMIN's term, as it had become controversial owing to its alleged tilt towards the Maoists. Now, in frustration, the Maoists may take any extreme step if a consensus candidate is not found soon to take over as the Prime Minister of Nepal.
Most political players in Nepal are looking towards India to use its influence over the non-Maoist parties, particularly the Nepalese Congress and the Madhesi groups, to help find a leader to run the government. Both sides -- the Maoists and those who have been reluctant to share power with them -- need to be persuaded to forget their differences in the interest of peace and progress in their country. The new constitution for a republican Nepal must be ready by May, as stipulated by the Constituent Assembly. There is very little time left. Under the circumstances, a broad national unity government appears to be the best alternative with all the major parties being on board.
A definite move towards such a government will allay the fears being expressed owing to the departure of the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) -- its term ended today. The UNMIN arrangement was basically aimed at settling the issues related to the PLA. However, the caretaker government did not press for extending UNMIN's term, as it had become controversial owing to its alleged tilt towards the Maoists. Now, in frustration, the Maoists may take any extreme step if a consensus candidate is not found soon to take over as the Prime Minister of Nepal.