Coalition Of Stability

There is an important symbiosis between political stability and economic development. Stability has been crucial for the sustained economic growth. In a similar manner, economic development is equally vital for ensuring political stability and social development. A politically and socially stable country alone could achieve a desired level of economic progress. Despite having an inclusive democratic constitution, Nepal has still been grappling with political instability and sluggish economic growth, especially under the crushing impact of COVID-19 pandemic. The country was able to promulgate the Constitution of Nepal, 2015 through the Constituent Assembly (CA). There was a general assumption that the nation would gain political stability and durable peace with the formation of the then Nepal Communist Party-led government that commanded near two-thirds majority in the federal parliament. The then Left Alliance of CPN-UML and the CPN-Maoist Centre secured a resounding victory in the federal, provincial and local elections held in 2017.

However, the government led by KP Sharma Oli could not complete full term in office. The then PM Oli dissolved the House of Representatives (HoR) twice in the span of six months following the intra-party bickering. The House dissolution plunged the country into uncertainty. Oli had taken undesirable steps, infringing upon the spirit of the constitution. He resorted to ordinances and bypassed the parliament to issue laws as well as concentrate state powers in his hands. The five parties and their leaders protested Oli’s steps and stood united for the implementation of the constitution in its letter and spirit to restore political stability in the country. The Supreme Court’s historic verdict reinstated the HoR and brought the derailed constitution back on track. The present coalition government was formed in the second week of July this year in line with the court’s landmark decision.

From the very beginning, the five-party alliance has remained dedicated to bringing the constitutional process back on track and addressing a myriad of issues concerning the COVID-19 pandemic, national economy, natural disasters and development, among others. All the ruling parties seem to have realised the need to keep their alliance intact till next general elections considering all such pertinent national challenges. However, some of the Nepali Congress (NC) leaders were saying that their party would not forge an alliance with any other political parties during the upcoming elections. But, according to Minister for Home Affairs Bal Krishna Khand, NC president and Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has been in favour of saving the present coalition of five political parties until next general elections.

Minister Khand, who is now looking after the daily administrative works of Prime Minister Deuba, said that the present government would go hand in hand till next general elections by respecting the constitution and rule of law. Khand shared the view while speaking to journalists at Bhairahawa Airport on Sunday. He added that it was a joint responsibility of the present coalition government to win public trust by fulfilling their aspirations. Being a democratic force, the NC has an important responsibility to safeguard the constitution. He said that the government remained effortful in making the constitution acceptable to all classes and communities. The government has accorded top priority to bringing the agitating groups and outfits into the mainstream politics. Minister Khand himself has already held some rounds of meeting with the leaders of the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) led by Netra Bikram Chand ‘Biplav’. The government is poised to resolve all kinds of conflict, thereby ensuring stability, peace and development in the country.