Managing Politics Of Hope And Speculation

The formation of a new coalition government by the nation’s two dominant parties – Nepali Congress (NC) and Communist Party of Nepal Unified Marxist-Leninist (CPN-UML) – on July 1 on the basis of seven-point agreement between their respective leaders – Sher Bahdur Deuba and K. P. Oli – has created both ripples of hopes and flurry of speculations. Hopes for a national consensus government emerged from its statement for political stability, constitutional amendment with broad-based consultation with political parties and stakeholders; pursue development to match people’s expectations, nation’s social and economic wellbeing, effective governance and stable foreign policy. The September 9 meeting of ruling parties – NC, CPN-UML, Janata Samajbadi Party, Loktantrik Samajbadi Party, Nagrik Unmukti Party and Janamat Party – agreed to strengthen the unity of the coalition government. NC and CPN-UML have passed a resolution declaring that each will contest future elections on its own without any alignment with other parties.