Scramble for power

Speaking for the public from the opposition can help smaller parties bolster their democratic credentials.

Political parties have stepped up formal meetings as well as behind-the-curtain negotiations to form the new government. It is apparent that smaller political outfits are as keen on joining the government as the major parties. All three new parties that won seats for the first time in the November 20 elections are now neck-deep in negotiations for the new government, demanding ministerial berths, or the release of their imprisoned leaders in return for their support for the big parties. Rabi Lamichhane, president of Rastriya Swatantra Party, has started doing the rounds of Balkot to talk to Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) Chair KP Sharma Oli while also simultaneously negotiating with the Nepali Congress-led coalition, even as a group of his party leaders has requested the leadership not to join the government and instead focus on party building. CK Raut, chief of the Janamat Party, too has clearly expressed his desire to join the federal government. Likewise, the Nagarik Unmukti Party is ready to join if the big parties commit to release its leader Resham Chaudhary from prison.